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Rare performance of Carl Loewe’s ballads
Published by the Communications and Development Department
16 September 2003
John Milligan of the University of Canterbury’s School of Music is to give a rare performance of the works of the German 18th/19th century balladeer, Carl Loewe.
The recital on Thursday 2 October has been registered with the Carl Loewe Gesellschaft in Germany, the Alliance that promotes and records significant performances of Loewe’s works.
Milligan, who tutors voice at the School of Music, will be accompanied by Maurice Till.
Loewe, a contemporary of Franz Schubert, was first involved in Church music but through acquaintances with Carl Maria von Weber in Dresden and Goethe in Jena, moved towards writing ballads and lieder. Richard Wagner later took great pleasure in performing Loewe ballads for his guests.
Not only was Loewe a respected composer, he was a most accomplished pianist and vocalist. Unlike Schubert, Loewe had no benefactor, so as a performer both playing and singing his works, he criss-crossed Europe on many concert tours often resorting to the improvised performance of a poem from the audience. His music therefore became well-known during his lifetime.
Loewe’s body of work is comprised of more than 400 ballads and lieder; 17 oratorios; 6 operas, 2 symphonies and numerous sonatas, cantatas and motets, but it is his ballads and lieder which have made him stand alongside his contemporary greats.
Milligan began his singing career as a boy chorister in the local Cathedral choir. Since those early days and performances in New Zealand, he has been based in the USA and Germany singing in Australia, South Africa, the East Coast & Mid-West of the USA, and on many of the major stages of Europe.
Singing the ballads of Carl Loewe has always been a goal for Milligan and now, following in some illustrious footsteps such as Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Manfred Schenk and Kurt Moll, the works will be premiered in New Zealand.
Later this year, Milligan returns to the European stage appearing in an all-Wagnerian concert in Dresden Germany.
Milligan performs in New Zealand courtesy of New Zealand International Artists.
• John Milligan sings Carl Loewe, 1.10pm, Thursday 2 October, Recital Room, School of Music, University of Canterbury.
For more information contact:
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