“Auch die Stimme ist es wieder
Die ich einst so gern gehöret!”
“It is that voice once more
Which I used to love to hear so much!”
— Heinrich Heine
I smiled when I heard the baritone Benjamin Appl sing this line. How I missed listening to his Liederabend. On the piano was Sholto Kynoch, whom I am becoming fond of listening to more each time—this being the third.
The programme of this Liederabend was “In Mendelssohn’s Light.” The magic of this concert was that even if you haven’t heard of Mendelssohn at all, you could still enjoy it to the full. It was a wonderful programme with enchanting lyrics and music presented with utmost excellence. Experiencing this concert was like walking into a magnificent garden in full bloom. I just gazed in amazement, it was totally fine if I didn’t know the name of each flower or how the garden was designed and arranged. However, if you want to dig deeper, you will find many interesting things as well. To be concrete, in Sholto’s piano solo Maiglöckchen by Carl Reinecke, you can hear, see, and smell the Lily of the Valley.
At its core, we heard the music of Felix Mendelssohn, his contemporaries, and people influenced by him. I love that about 70 percent of the beautiful programme was new to me. One just would not get tired of Mendelssohn’s On Wings of Song. Personally, I have been hoping to listen to Benjamin’s interpretation of Reed Song, this was a dream that finally came true. The Spruce Tree by Delius reminded me of the painting Winter by Caspar David Friedrich that I saw for the first time in my life in the National Gallery London one day before. Songs by Reger, Sullivan, and Stanford became new favourites.
I was deeply touched by Swansong, with text by Heinrich Heine and music by Fanny Mendelssohn. I am reading The World of Yesterday by Stefan Zweig, a work he completed before committing suicide the next day. Before the concert, I walked to his residence during his exile in London. I wept for the fate and the injustice of this world. And yet, the last song of Stefan Zweig illuminates still.
The joy was doubled when I shared this treasured moment with my friend, who jokingly said she lives at Wigmore Hall. I was so glad to navigate this whole new world with a guide. We met before the concert and caught up a bit. I shared with her:
“What I like about Benjamin’s Liederabend is that I can let my programme notes rest and still understand everything (except Kurtág’s Hölderlin). Then I can properly appreciate the storytelling, with full attention anticipating the surprises around the corner. If my eyes are glued to the programme, I might miss something”.
Wigmore Hall was very thoughtful to put the lyrics and English translation on the screen, so I could truly let my programme notes rest. However, something happened. When the whole audience turned their pages at the same time, the wave-like sound of turning paper was definitely part of the music. This was the way the Wigmore Hall audience communicates the message: “We care deeply about the music and every single word you sing”. It was a sensational moment.
I am curious when I will be back at Wigmore Hall again and for which concert. Anyway, I am very thankful for this time.
Concert: In Mendelssohn’s Light | 19.7.2026 | 7.30 P.M.
Baritone: Benjamin Appl
Pianist: Sholto Kynoch
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Further Reading:
Mendelssohn’s Elijah (Elias) – Reflections After the Performance
https://thejourney-writing.com/2026/03/mendelssohns-elijah-elias-reflections.html
Concert Review: Franz Schubert Master Storyteller
https://thejourney-writing.com/2025/10/concert-review-franz-schubert-master-storyteller.html
Concert Review: “Fischer-Dieskau 100 – Ein Leben in Liedern”
https://thejourney-writing.com/2025/05/concert-review-fischer-dieskau-100-ein-leben-in-liedern.html
Concert Review: Liederabend | Schumann & Kurtág
https://thejourney-writing.com/2026/02/concert-review-liederabend-schumann-kurtag.html