Matthias Goerne at Alice Tully Hall

Matthias Goerne and Schubert are inevitably mentioned in the same breath, especially since the German baritone started on his twelve-part series of recordings of the best of Schubert’s lieder. In his lieder, Schubert laid the foundations for the synthesis of words and melody, voice and instrumental setting; the piano was no longer simply an accompaniment. Goerne, whose warm timbre and fabled legato are immediately recognisable, is now taking this further. He has previously presented orchestrated versions of Schubert lieder; now, in adaptations for voice, string quartet, and double bass, he shares the stage with the flamboyant Quatuor Ebène and the talented Laurène Durantel. But his purpose remains the same: ‘I want to reach people and confront them with feelings that are increasingly rare and that are ever more unusual in everyday life.’