This past Saturday, David Schubert’s baritone vocals filled Krieg Recital Hall with a variety of tunes. Performing “Drei Lieder, Op. 21” by Richard Stohr and “I said to Love, Op. 19b” by Gerald Finzi, as well as some well-known show tunes from Broadway, such as “Johanna” from “Sweeney Todd,” and “Stars” from “Les Miserables,” the program was very diverse.
Schubert was accompanied by Diane Slagle on piano, as well as by his son, Paul Schubert, on the cello, during the Stohr piece. In the audience, a number of fellow faculty members and students were present.
After the recital, Schubert himself spoke of why he decided to select certain pieces. He chose a variety of songs for different reasons—while Bach wasn’t played in the actual recital due to technical difficulties, he cited Bach as his favorite composer, with the second Aria being his favorite Bach Aria. He went on to say that one reason that faculty at Wittenberg choose certain songs is because “recitals parallel what we want our students to do.”
Schubert chose Stohr, an obscure composer (unknown to many, as the vast majority of what Stohr wrote remains unpublished), when he was looking for a low voice and cello arrangement—something that could allow for his son to play with him. He discovered Finzi in grad school.
When asked about his process before performing, Schubert said, “I like to meditate a bit to help breathing.” He added that it helps when he’s anxious and/or stressed.
While it was evident from the performance itself that great preparation took place, Schubert stated that he had started preparing for the recital last summer.
Another person who prepared for this was Slagle. While students also have recitals, Slagle said that there are differences when performing with professors. Rehearsals are geared towards pleasing each other, and lots of rehearsing is necessary. She enjoyed the experience as well, saying that it was nice to play with Schubert.Students present at the recital also displayed their enjoyment and enthusiasm towards the recital. Voice major Haley Rawlings, ’20, found the performance “remarkable.”
“He’s my voice professor,” Rawlings said. “It was extremely well done.”
Chelby Dye, ‘20, agreed.
“I thought it was beautiful,” Dye said. “I never heard of Richard Stohr, but when I heard him, I loved the writing and how he sung them.”
Dye and Rawlings both loved the musical theatre selections.
Angelique Gabrielle, ’17, a student who has worked with Schubert in classes, as an office worker and in the booth for the recital, found the Finzi pieces “contrasting, yet complementing each other.”
Very interesting article. I,unfortunately. was not in attendance. Wish I had been, I like good music. My loss.