Great Songs Great Poets - in partnership with Leeds Lieder

Lieder? Songs? Poetry? It’s all the same kettle of fish, really, a fact recognized at Great Songs Great Poets on Saturday evening at the Heart Centre in Headingley, where the emphasis was on performance. Call it a recital if you like. It’s a word which might please them down at Leeds Lieder+, the co-organisers with the LitFest, and to whose founder, Jane Anthony, the whole thing was dedicated. It had everything necessary to transform the kettle of fish into a perfect, satisfying bouillabaisse, with not just smart chefs but a subtle blend of themes: war and peace, love and death, the well established and the fresh and new.

Jonathan Fisher, Richard Wilcocks, Kimberley Raw, James Berry, Hollie-Anne Bangham, Jane Oakshott                             Photo by Ian Garvey

Headingley resident Jane Anthony, who died so tragically last year, would have approved of this event, which was originally intended for autumn last year. At a meeting which turned out to be final, she agreed a general outline of a programme with LitFest secretary Richard Wilcocks in July 2014, and it was this draft which was taken up in 2015 in meetings between Wilcocks and Jonathan Fisher, who is pianist-in-residence at the University of Huddersfield and staff pianist at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. He is also an honorary fellow of the Association of English Singers and Speakers. The result was a programme of singing and speaking which included some Shakespeare along with the relatively new and the relatively old.

The singers - all of them from the RNCM - could be described as “relatively new” because they are students there, but they performed like seasoned virtuosi, with great maturity and with a force which would impress on any stage or in any grand theatre. Music which was sometimes tricky and difficult gave them few problems. Baritone James Berry was particularly masterly in delivering War Scenes , composed in 1969 with the dedication “To those who died in Vietnam, both sides, during the composition: 20 – 30 June 1969”.  Ned Rorem used texts from Walt Whitman’s Specimen Days, a memoir of his time as a nurse in the American Civil War, and Whitman’s words, describing the grotesque sights and sounds in a field hospital, were very effectively conveyed to the audience (an intimate one, around tables) through Rorem’s modern recitative style. The diction was excellent, the voice rich.  The same voice became more lyrical when it came to Let Us Garlands Bring, five songs by Gerald Finzi taken from various Shakespeare texts. Mezzo Hollie-Anne Bangham was strong on the diction too, dealing with Robert Schumann’s Gedichte der Königin Maria Stuart as if she had just spent the last six months in some conservatoire in Germany. Die Sängerin sang mit echtes Gefühl. Her tones were mellow, just right for the story of the Queen of Scots who lost her head, and her engagement was intense. Abschied von der Welt was especially moving. Soprano Kimberley Raw really lived the songs which resulted from a collaboration between Benjamin Britten and W H Auden, as if she was singing operatic arias, and she gave the audience a really passionate finale with three of the pair’s Cabaret Songs. The last one of the evening was Funeral Blues, well known to anyone who has watched the film Four Weddings and a Funeral. 

Throughout, the songs were interspersed with poems. Each of the singers also read (or rather performed) these beautifully. Hollie-Anne read Emily Dickinson’s Nature, the gentlest mother and Sara Teasdale’s There Will Come Soft Rains (with Kimberley), and James read a series of Shakespeare lines (from Hamlet, Richard II and Measure for Measure) alongside Richard Wilcocks.

The two readers representing the LitFest were Richard Wilcocks and Jane Oakshott. Richard read an extract from Whitman’s Specimen Days (The Battle of Chancellorsville) and delivered passionately a poem famous in the United States since the nineteenth century and made even more famous because of its misuse in the film Dead Poets Society – O Captain! My Captain!  He explained that this was dedicated to Abraham Lincoln by the poet, but that some people thought it was originally written after Whitman had finished Herman Melville’s Moby Dick. He also read W H Auden’s emotive Refugee Blues, written in 1939 but with an obvious relevance to the world of today. Jane brought a considerable amount of dramatic finesse to both Sonnet 129, bringing all its nuanced feelings to the fore, and to the last letter written by poor Mary. For this Jane entered completely into the role, even beginning with a line of the original French, becoming a royal woman trying to come to terms with the fact that she was just about to meet the headsman. Tears glistened in plenty of eyes.

Jonathan Fisher was an adept accompanist for all the pieces, and we owe him our sincere thanks and appreciation for all his work rehearsing with the singers over in Manchester and generally sorting the music out. Hopefully, there will be another occasion in the future when the participants can get together again. 

Audience comments

A nice varied programme with splendid performers. It was especially good to hear a   trio of very capable young singers, and I’m sure that we shall hear more of them.         Altogether a fitting memorial to Jane Anthony too.

An enriching evening’s entertainment that provided a rare and valued opportunity to relate to poetry in the context of music and a lovely tribute to Jane Anthony.

A thoroughly enjoyable concert/recital – splendid singing and an interesting variety of interpretation and performance. Difficult to specify a single performance – all were most professional and I hope will have very long and successful careers. Thanks must also go to the Arts Council and its support.

While Leeds has a reputation for fine music, such quality doesn’t often filter down to

 the suburbs. I hope there are many more great performances by trained singers as 

at this evening’s event.

As I’ve not come to any previous Leeds Lieder performances – I found this 

informative and mostly enjoyable. Good to have my cultural life extended. I was 

sitting near the front and thought maybe I would have heard the words of some 

Lieder more clearly from further back. Perhaps that is because I am not used to this 

medium. The Shakespeare were wonderful - the Schumann fascinating (I may now 

read them) and the Britten caught you ‘unawares’ – at time amusing and the pianist 

was a treat to listen to as an accompanist.

A challenging evening themed around war and death! A real commitment from all 

the performers who presented a high standard of musical and poetic talent. Good to

 experience something different!

An enjoyable programme with uncluttered presentation of poetry, not overpowered

 but enhanced by the simple musical accompaniment. Excellent performances.

Intimate event. Singers sang with great emotion in a largely somber programme! 

And readers showed great expression. Just enough ‘lighter’ content to lift tone of the 

evening!

Much enjoyed the mix of composers esp. cabaret turns. We should have a few more 

recitals like this in the wide open spaces between Lieder festivals. PS. We didn’t need 

the printed copies of Death, though the words of some soprano songs didn’t come 

over clearly.  

A script or copy of the translation (in English) of Schumann’s Final cycle of songs for 

voice ….(1,2,3,4,5) would have been useful as I don’t speak or understand German. 

Enjoyed the reading of Auden’s Refugee blues by Richard Wilcocks -

 read/performed with real feeling and understanding. A surprising evening!! Not

 quite what I expected. 

I wasn’t sure what to expect but I thoroughly enjoyed the evening –some outstanding 

performances, both reading and singing. Hope the HLF put on more events like 

this: very different!

Classical and classy, this programme was top notch. Personally, I find it very hard to

 follow words that are sung and would have been glad if more songs were prefaced 

by Richard and Jane reading the text out first. Or else, another time, the texts can be 

given in the programme. However, an evening of brilliant talent.  

Pianist, singers and readers all excellent. Loved the Britten sings. The subject matter

 was really dark mostly – a bit of lightness would have been welcome – but lovely 

evening.

Very good quality of singers and poetry readers. Not very happy about the theme

which was about death in the first half and a bit gruesome. Second Half – execution 

of Mary Queen of Scots, Refugees. Problem of words in Cabaret songs.

Great singing by all and lovely readings. Particularly enjoyed Finzi and cabaret 

songs. Jane was very vivid and really brought her scenes to life!

Great performance of Britten especially and Jane Oakshott was a fantastic reader

Singers were technically brilliant. Pianist was great. Refugee poem and male 

reader were fantastic.  

Wonderful to see young singers given an opportunity to perform.

Very enjoyable esp. Schumann and Britten.

 Amazing performances by all. I particularly enjoyed the music.

A most appropriate and intimate venue for chamber music.

Great evening. Thanks!

Indefatigable in spreading a message of hope

Iby Knill - 'The Woman Without a Number'

Headingley Library, Tuesday 13^th October

Partnership event as part of the Headingley Festival of Ideas: Change

Sally Bavage writes: 

                       Photo by Richard Wilcocks

Iby, going on ninety-two and appearing a generation younger in both spirit and energy, kept a full house in Headingley library rapt with attention for well over an hour, reading from her own work and answering a series of penetrating questions as well as joining in the debate and commentary. Iby often talks to school and college audiences who are studying the Holocaust, and regularly skypes young people from Brazil to China. She also addresses adult audiences of four hundred plus. Daunting at any age but she is indefatigable in spreading her message of hope.

She addressed the Headingley Festival of Ideas theme by outlining how changes during her life had altered the directions she took. She first read to us from the introduction to her memoir The Woman Without a Number (now in its eighth printing by local publisher Scratching Shed Publishing Ltd, available from Iby's website as as well as online and as an e-book), detailing her escape from Czechoslovakia to Hungary as a teenager. Other facets of her life include working for the Hungarian resistance and making small acts of rebellion in surviving despite Dr Mengele in Auschwitz and a slave prison camp where it was less 'Arbeit Macht Frei' but more 'work or die'. The book lacks self-pity entirely and does not dwell on the horrors she encountered; she does, however, make Sebastian Faulks' heroine Charlotte Gray look a bit of a wimp.

She continued the theme of Change with a snippet read from her new book, working title The Woman with Nine Lives and due out in January 2016. Adjusting to her new country was not always easy, for although she spoke fluent English she did not always understand the culture. She went on to have two children, and many careers,but settled in Leeds decades ago. She is a 'loiner' by choice.

Discussion and commentary then focussed on how the writing of the memoir after sixty years of silence had come about, what differences it had made both to her and her children and how we can all contribute in ways small and large to change mass genocide and the movements of refugees from war and oppression which are still going on.

Despite the topics raised, Iby handled the discussion with delicacy, warmth and vigour. Is there a just cause for war? What is the difference between sin and evil? As she said, “Atrocity knows no nationality”.  Iby's poem, which she read out as a conclusion, perhaps sums up her philosophy that "under the skin we are all the same - and each one of us can make a difference"? You can read this, and many other details, on Iby's own website at http://ibyknill.co.uk/index/

A final illustration of her determination to broach a difficult subject without a trace of self-pity: when I enquired about her use of a stick to assist her painful hip, she calmly told me it was caused by a blow from a rifle butt. With a smile, no drama. Chastening.

With grateful thanks to the staff from Headingley library who supported this event. Iby's book is available for loan from the library. A donation has been made on her behalf to the Holocaust Survivors Friendship Association.

Audience Comments

Great Songs - Great Poets

Headingley LitFest in partnership with Leeds Lieder+ presents Great Songs - Great Poets Three classically trained singers, recent graduates from the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, will perform in the Shire Oak Room of the Headingley Heart Centre at 7.30pm on Saturday 17 October, in an evening highlighting the great ​ ​ poetry which inspired some great composers. The event has been organised by Jonathan Fisher, staff pianist at the RNCM and pianist-in-residence at the University of Huddersfield, and LitFest Secretary Richard Wilcocks. It is dedicated to the memory of Headingley resident Jane Anthony, founder of Leeds Lieder+, who died last year. Baritone James Berry will be singing settings of poems by Walt Whitman and Shakespeare, mezzo-soprano Hollie-Anne Bangham will be singing a set of fivesongs in German based on letters written by Mary Stuart (Queen of Scots) withmusic by Schumann, and soprano Kimberley Raw will deliver a song cycle by Benjamin Britten on poetry taken from Auden's Look, Stranger!  Tickets £8 on the door - or online from wilcocks@ntlworld.com

Composer Ned Rorem took the texts for his fiveWar Scenes fromSpecimen Days, a memoir of his time as a Civil War nurse by Walt Whitman (pictured) and dedicated them to "...those who died in Vietnam, both sides, during the composition 20 - 30 June 1969".

Mary Stuart's letters seem to have been well-known all over Europe in the nineteenth century. Robert Schumann read them in German and based his Gedichte der Königin Maria Stuart on the ones which most moved him. You will hear extracts from them read in English as well.

A couple of the Cabaret Songs created in the 1930s by Benjamin Britten and W H Auden (pictured) are in the programme for the evening - Britten's treatment of Funeral Blues ("Stop all the clocks... ") has been described as a forewarning of the dark world of the Second World War, but the harmonic, jazz-influenced soundscapes he provided for Look, Stranger! are very different.

The Woman Without a Number

Tuesday 13 Oct 2015

IBY KNILL

THE WOMAN WITHOUT A NUMBER

7 pm to 8.30 pm

FREE
(but Iby’s events are normally packed out so please book a place via headingleylitfest@gmail.com )

Headingley Library North Lane Headingley
Leeds LS6 3HG

Iby Knill survived the Holocaust after helping the Resistance in Hungary, being caught and tortured and transported to Auschwitz. She did not speak of these experiences for more than half a century.

Now, after her husband’s death and at the age of 91 she feels the need to explore how we might stop the continuing murder and genocide that are still happening. Her book, The Woman Without A Number, is a testament to resilience and courage. Come and hear Iby, a most remarkable woman, tell her story. 

"Perhaps I survived to bear witness, to talk to you, to build bridges between people. What have I learned? What do I know? I know that human cruelty knows no bounds". (Iby Knill)

A telling of Iby’s story will be followed by discussion of what society needs to change.

This event is a partnership between the LifFest and the new Headingley Festival of Ideas.

Tangled Feet - Collective Endeavour

Jen Rhodes from Leeds Arts Development team writes … .

As I am sure you will know, this summer Leeds is a host city for the Rugby World Cup 2015, with two key games taking place in September. To celebrate this  Leeds City Council has joined forces with Dep Arts to bring a number of interactive, innovative and city-wide experiences under the umbrella TRY. 

As part of this TRY cultural programme Tangled Feet are looking for 300 volunteers to perform in Collective Endeavour. One for each of the starting players at the Rugby World Cup 2015.

Volunteers will perform in a large scale piece of theatre about the power of teamwork and what can be achieved when people unite. It will be an unforgettable show in Millennium Square on Friday 25 September. 

We are asking for our key partners to help spread this message, and share with their networks this amazing chance for volunteers to be part of this brilliant opportunity.

Performers do not need to have any previous performance experience or training, just energy, humour and a willing attitude. They will perform simple movements to make large images for the audience, telling the story of community and teamwork. Volunteers would only need to attend 2 days of rehearsals in Leeds and the dress rehearsal.

I would be extremely grateful of you could help spread this message through your channels, and help us get behind this brilliant event. Full details on the event and how to sign up can be found at www.tryleeds.com

 Get those arms and legs ready for a bit of collectivity!

Trumpet transformed

St Chad’s Primary School, 23 June 2015

Sheila Chapman writes:

                                        Photo: Kevin Hickson

This afternoon the children of St Chad's primary school made 'Something Else' of a battered old trumpet using the power of poetry. They used all their senses and their endless imagination to transform this 'useless' object. They imagined how the trumpet had come to be damaged, how it was saved, how it felt when it lost its music, what powers it had, and what it symbolised. They then shared their poetry at a special school assembly and every single one of them stood up to read their own original work - what courage and what talent! Read on to see what they thought of the experience and to see some snippets from their poems.

Poet James Nash used the same trumpet a few months ago at another primary school. Read our blog report at http://headingleylitfest.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/brudenell-poetry-assembly.html?

Some comments from the children - in response to four questions: What has been the best thing about this project? What have you learnt? Why is it good to share your work with other children in school? What will you remember about this project?

- The best thing has been sharing ideas with everyone. I have learnt how an object has different stories to tell. It is good to share work with other children because they get inspired. The thing I remember from this project is imagination

-  I have learnt how poems aren’t always need to have a rhythmic pattern.  It is good to share work with other children because they could give you tips.

- The best thing has been learning what a good poem is. I have learnt how to write a poem. It is good to share work with other children so you can practice taking in front of people. The thing I remember from this project is how good everyone was.

- The best thing has been writing poems on the trumpet. I have learnt how to shorten longer poems. It is good to share work with other children so you can hear the feedback and use it in another poem and they can use yours as inspiration.

- The best thing has been the creativity you can put in writing the poems. I have learnt you can be very creative with writing. It is good to share work to inspire other children. I will remember that writing can be creative.

- The best thing has been writing about the trumpet. I have learnt how to put more expression in my writing and how to improve my writing. It is good to share work with other children so then they can get ideas from our poems.  What I remember about this project is, in one word: EVERYTHING!!!

- The best thing has been writing poems and ideas about my poem and writing a poem about a item. I have learnt that it’s amazing writing poems. It is good to share work with other children so they can have an idea about their poem. I will remember that rhyming words make your poem sound good.

- The best thing has been writing up our poems. I have learnt that to write a poem you need your five senses when describing. It is good to share work with other children to inspire them and to improve your confidence. I will remember my poem.

Some lines from the poems

 My own tunes have tired me

My own power is my enemy

My music gave me power to control lives

My brass is my story

Trampled on by wet wellies

I used to be proud of my silver body

I can no longer hear the sound of my music

Music will never end

No-one plays with me anymore since I am battered and bruised

I am a symbol of peace, sign of hope

One single piece of everybody

Life had a purpose now I have none

Will I ever get found

I’ve lost my home

Fire damaged me, my owner made me whole

I slipped out of my soldier’s hand …. The fisherman saved my life

Children danced to the noise of the trumpet

I loved how I played

Sparkle and shine

As the days go by I sit waiting to die

You illuminate my mind

I am a symbol of peace

No-one wants me - every day it rains

I was greater once