Richard Williams in recital 

September 14th, 2024

St. Andrew's - Wesley United Church

Johannes Brahms Lieder und Gesänge Op. 32 and Robert Schumann Dichterliebe, Op. 48

Join us for an evening of romantic music as baritone Richard Williams, accompanied by pianist Eric Hominick, performs two masterful song cycles by Johannes Brahms and Robert Schumann.

The program will feature:

Johannes Brahms - "Lieder und Gesänge," Op. 32

Johannes Brahms' "Lieder und Gesänge" Op. 32, is a song cycle composed in 1864. This collection consists of nine songs set to poems by August von Platen and Georg Friedrich Daumer. The work showcases Brahms' deep affinity for German Romantic poetry and his ability to blend lyrical beauty with profound musical expression. 

Robert Schumann - "Dichterliebe," Op. 48

"Dichterliebe," Op. 48, is one of the most famous song cycles. Composed by Robert Schumann in 1840, a year often referred to as his "Liederjahr" or "Year of Song." The cycle consists of 16 songs set to poems from Heinrich Heine's "Lyrisches Intermezzo," a section of his larger work, "Buch der Lieder." Schumann's music captures the subtleties of Heine's poetry, blending lyrical melodies with rich harmonic textures. The cycle is a profound and moving exploration of the complexities of love and the human condition.

About Richard Williams

Born and raised in Edmonton, Richard first distinguished himself as a singer in 1981 by winning First Place in the Alberta Provincial Music Festival. This led to a Second Place at the National Festival in Toronto. Richard then went on to perform with various choirs and orchestras throughout Western Canada, including the Vancouver Bach Choir, Vancouver Opera Touring Ensemble, West Coast Symphony, Vancouver SummerChor, Kamloops Symphony, Handel Society, and various other choirs and orchestras in the region.

Richard made his European debut in 1992. His performances in Europe over the next eight years took him to many of the world's great music centers, including Frankfurt, Geneva, London, Milan and Paris. Solo recitals have always held a prominent place in Richard's career. It is with this in mind that he now returns to the concert platform after a 10 year absence!

This season will see Richard presenting several recitals throughout BC. Featuring the music of Brahms, Schubert, Schumann, Fauré, Berlioz, Mahler, and other great composers, these recitals will focus on the intimacy and intensity of this rich and varied repertoire.

About Eric Hominick

Born in Nova Scotia, he began his formal music education at the Toronto Conservatory, continuing his studies at Dalhousie University where he received a BA in Music (Voice) in 1980 and a certificate from the Joseph Shore Voice Studio in 1996.  In 1983, he relocated to Vancouver to work with the music faculty at Vancouver Community College (VCC), where he has been an accompanist for a choral program and the pop voice, classical voice, and musical theatre programs. 

Currently, he accompanies the Choral Program at VCC, accompanies, Opera Pro Cantanti (OPC), BC Girls Choir, and is staff pianist/accompanist for West Coast Amateur Society Summer Music Camp. A National Association of Teachers of Singing member, he runs an active voice studio and freelances as a vocal coach, baritone soloist, piano teacher, special events pianist and arranger.

His extensive experience includes working as a recital, workshop, rehearsal, and audition pianist, collaborating with many of Vancouver’s finest choral ensembles, singers, instrumentalists, and music institutions. 

Recital Program

Johannes Brahms Lieder und Gesnge Op. 32 (1864)
poems by August von Platen and Georg Friedrich Daumer

1. Wie rafft ich mich auf in der Nacht. 
2. Nicht mehr zu dir zu gehen.
3. Ich schleich umher. 
4. Der Strom, der neben mir verrauschte. 
5. Wehe, so willst du mich wieder. 
6. Du sprichst, dass ich mich täuschte. 
7. Bitteres zu sagen denkst du. 
8. So stehn wir, ich und meine Weide. 
9. Wie bist du, meine Königin. 

Robert Schumann (1810 - 1856) Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
Dichterliebe, Op. 48

1. Im wunderschönen Monat Mai
2. Aus meinen Tränen sprießen
3. Die Rose, die Lilie, die Taube, die Sonne
4. Wenn ich in deine Augen seh'
5. Dein Angesicht so lieb und schön
6. Lehn deine Wang' an meine Wang'
7. Ich will meine Seele tauchen
8. Im Rhein, im heiligen Strome
9. Ich grolle nicht
10. Und wüßten's die Blumen, die kleinen
11. Das ist ein Flöten und Geigen
12. Hör' ich das Liedchen klingen
13. Ein Jüngling liebt ein Mädchen
14. Am leuchtenden Sommermorgen
15. Es leuchtet meine Liebe
16. Mein Wagen rollet langsam
17. Ich hab' im Traum geweinet
18. Allnächtlich im Traume seh' ich dich
19. Aus alten Märchen
20. Die alten, bösen Lieder

Recital Details

Date: September 14th
Time: 7 pm.
St. Andrew's Wesley United Church
Address: 1022 Nelson St #100, Vancouver
The box office opens half-hour before the recital.
Admission: $20 General   $15 Students/Seniors