Baritone Jack Brown, with Harriet Rothstein on piano, will present the Schubert song cycle “Schwanengesang” at St. James’ Episcopal Church on Sunday April 6 at 11:45 a.m., as part of the church’s “First Sundays” free concert programs.
Schubert’s final song cycle, given the title “Swan Song” by publishers, is a musical account of unrequited love. Characteristic of Schubert songs, “Schwanengesang” presents an equal partnership between voice and piano, the voice providing narrative, the piano “color commentary”.
Jack Brown is among the Northeast’s most active professional singers, with frequent appearances with orchestras and in recital, including appearances with the Boston Symphony at Tanglewood. Pianist Harriet Rothstein’s credentials include prize-winning study at the American Conservatory in Fontainebleau, France, along with over a quarter-century of teaching and performing.
The two artists are faculty members of the Berkshire Music School of Pittsfield and are appearing as part of collaboration between St. James’ and BMS. “First Sundays” concerts, inaugurated this past February at St. James’, reflect the church’s outreach mission to provide high-quality classical music performances free of charge to all.