Katherine Broderick soprano
Carris Jones mezzo-soprano
Eva Thorarinsdottir violin
Simon Tandree viola
Cara Berridge cello
Libby Burgess piano
Sibelius Six Songs Op 36
Burrell **World Premiere**
Grieg Six Songs Op 48
Grainger Folksongs
Schubert Trio in Eb
Our Viking theme is strongly represented in this programme, with evocative songs by Sibelius and Grieg, sung by renowned soprano Katherine Broderick. Both composers explore images from Scandinavia’s nature, and the theme of the lost love – and winter’s snow – turning to spring. We are honoured to have commissioned a world premiere from Diana Burrell in her 70th year, generously supported by the Finzi Friends. Written for the combination of mezzo-soprano, viola and piano – familiar from Brahms’ viola songs – her brand new songs present themes of folk music. Folk music was also at the heart of Percy Grainger’s work; he and Grieg met in London and shared a remarkable friendship and artistic affinity, particularly around folk music. We come full circle with Schubert’s late Eb major piano trio, one of the glories of the chamber music repertoire, the middle movement of which is based on a haunting Swedish folk song, and has been described as trudging ‘footsteps through the snow.’
