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Camarata Music celebrates summer love with Brahms' waltzes
Ryan Goessl, right, conducts the Camarata Chorale during a performance of Mozart's "Requiem" in May 2021. Courtesy of Camarata Music
By Jon Dunbar
The Camarata Chorale and Chamber Singers are ready to present Brahms' “Liebeslieder Waltzes” this Saturday.
This show is the middle part of the organization's "Three Bs of Germany" concert series planned for this year, referring to Beethoven, Brahms and Bach.
The first performance was on April 27, spotlighting Beethoven's “Mass in C Major" and "Piano Concerto No. 1." The third will be in December in time to present Bach's “Christmas Oratorio.”
Ryan Goessl, resident conductor and artistic director of Camarata Music, told The Korea Times that Brahms was picked for the summer concert, as his music is much more lighthearted than the music of Beethoven and Bach.
"As it is the beginning of summer, love is in the air, so these compositions seem appropriate for the time," he said. "They are love songs, waltzes, they have a lighter tone, and a more friendly atmosphere than the deep, emotional, intense works of choir and orchestra."
These songs will be performed as they were originally intended, with piano four hands (two pianists playing side by side) rather than with a full orchestra.
Brahms was one of the major composers of 19th-century Germany. His body of work includes everything from solo voice, concertos and symphonies to major chorales and orchestra works, as well as much lighter fare, such as "Liebeslieder" and "Neue Liebeslieder Walzer," which are the works Camarata will spotlight this weekend.
The "Liebeslieder" songs are speculated to have been written for Clara Schumann, the wife of Robert Schumann,
"Brahms was deeply infatuated, or you could say, in love with (her)," Goessl said. "Brahms and the Schumans were very close throughout Brahms' life. After the death of Robert Schumann, Brahms frequently wrote letters to Clara. Schumann, who was one of the most revered prodigy piano players of her day, often premiered works of Brahms. In this music, listen to the deep and inherent love that Brahms portrays, most likely to woo Clara."
Camarata Music is Korea's largest international nonprofit music organization.
"We also would like to get more people involved in the choir," Goessl said. "Everyone is welcome to come and sing, regardless of experience. Part of our mission is to show that everyone can sing and is musical, so we especially encourage those who have never sung or performed before to come and join us!"
Camarata Music will present Brahms' waltzes at Yedarm Church in northeastern Seoul's Seongbuk District, starting at 6 p.m. this Saturday. Tickets cost 25,000 won in advance or 35,000 won at the door. Visit camaratamusic.org for more information or to purchase tickets, or email info@camaratamusic.com to join the choir.
"I would suggest listening to the music on YouTube," Goessl recommended. "The music is beautiful, and wonderful to have on your playlist. And then, you will be familiar with the music when you get to listen to it live with our choir."