Wednesday’s lunchtime recital in the RBA was given by Wirth Vocal Prize winner Sara Schabas and pianist Alexey Shafirov.  It was a varied and virtuosic programme.  Five composers and five languages were involved and the works performed ranged in date from the 1815 to 2000.

First up was Messiaen’s very challenging “Danse du bébé-Pilule”.  It’s a very demanding piece for the soprano with no help from a crazy difficult piano part.  Both performers were very impressive!.  The second set interspersed three Schubert Lieder with two settings of e.e. cummings by Matthias Pintscher.  It was an interesting idea; the lyrical and well known Schubert songs contrasting with the short but very complex Pintscher pieces which required multiple vocal and piano techniques.

Normality was resumed with a very nice rendering of Dvořák’s “Song to the Moon”.  One can’t go wrong with that.  Finally we heard the Six Romances Op. 38 by Rachmaninoff.  It was quite a varied set; lyrical, dramatic and humorous by turns, with plenty of opportunity for both singer and pianist to show their stuff.

All in all, a very satisfying way to spend a lunch hour.  Sara I’ve known for ages and I know what she can do.  Alexey was a pleasant discovery.  It’s always exciting to hear a truly virtuosic pianist who is also a sensitive accompanist.