Last night found me at the Queen Elizabeth Hall for a transvestite recital by baritone Matthias Goerne, with Alexander Schmalcz on piano
- And hello to David and Frances who said 'hello' beforehand in the foyer and to Stephen who I often see at things -
The programme was a selection of Schumann songs, including Frauenliebe und -leben; Berg's Vier Lieder; and Wagner's Wesendonck Lieder. All of which were written for, and are more generally sung by women; the performers wore normal male concert dress of dark grey suits and matching shirts.
An enjoyable evening. To my surprise, of the lot I enjoyed the Berg most of all. This singer has not grazed my radar at all and I thoroughly enjoyed his voice. Not necessarily beautiful, but to my ears technically excellent, perhaps even flawless (to my ears). Musically intelligent. Funnily enough I cannot now recall whether there were shadings of colour and tone. On the other hand, I didn't once think that the sound was monotonous. Fabulous to listen to. Although, and I'm sure I shall be mocked, when I hear native German speakers singing German, I find it quite difficult to follow the words. But I recognise that that is my problem and shouldn't be regarded as a substantive part of the review.
Before the recital, I read in the programme's biographical notes that 'he chooses his opera roles carefully' and I felt that to be slightly pretentious. By the interval, I had come to the conclusion that it was actually euphemistic. This was someone with an extraordinary stage presence, and I do not mean that as a compliment. He spent most of the time side on to the audience glancing at his score which rested on the piano. He very rarely looked into the audience; when he did, even at the applause, which was warm and sustained, I felt that he was scanning the rafters rather than connecting with people. I felt no sense of him inhabiting the 'roles'. Even his deportment conveyed a sense of not wanting to be there. So I ended up spending most of the recital with my head buried in the programme - which contained the words in German, and English translation.
I concluded that this is somebody with mild Aspergers*. I have encountered very many of them in my life as an accountant/auditor. Perhpas it is unfortunate that he bears a physical resemblance to one of the bus-spotters of Streatham Hill. It seems curious to find a singer so obviously so. I would imagine that most musicians with Aspergers would tend to something like percussion or double bass, or perhaps organ, where audience communication is less of an issue than singing.
Still, a thoroughly pleasant aural experience, and someone I would definitely wish to hear again - he's doing Mahler's Ruckert-Lieder in the same venue in December. If it was any week but that awkward 'Just Before Christmas' week, I wouldn't hesitate to book, but because of the timing, I will decide nearer the time.
* not that I have any expertise is such a diagnosis - this is a mere observation of an impression
