Tenor, Nick Pritchard, and pianist, Ian Tindale, Keswick Music Society

It is always a pleasure to attend a concert at Keswick's Theatre by the Lake, even in the winter, and on this occasion the earlier time meant that one could savour the backdrop of Derwentwater and Cat Bells, with the sheep grazing in Crow Park.

The acoustic seemed better for having the screens in place, and the piano was sounding well, always sensitively played. Although tenor Nick Pritchard had a score by his side he didn’t really need it, as he was fully conversant with every twist and turn of the plot. Schubert’s setting of Wilhelm Müller’s cycle of poems Die schöne Müllerin underlines and expresses the tortured emotions arising from the young travelling miller’s unrequited love, thwarted by the seemingly more eligible huntsman.

With often economical textures, Schubert depicts every aspect of the text, from the optimistic opening Wandering is the miller’s joy to the consolatory final lullaby. The rippling of the mill stream is never far away, and the young miller’s reactions to the resident miller’s daughter were vividly conveyed by our soloist, although some of the more poignant moments could perhaps have a had a darker timbre. It is significant that the arrival of the huntsman is set in a minor key, despite being in the usual lively rhythmic style, as it is from this moment that the trouble begins.

The symbolism of flowers and the colour green are all exploited, with the transition from “the favourite colour” to “the hateful colour” agonizingly contrasted by both musicians. Nick Pritchard has a bright and telling voice, which showed no signs of fatigue, and pianist Ian Tindale provided a precise and well balanced accompaniment throughout what was a most satisfying performance of this demanding work.

Grateful thanks are due to those who arrange and support these concerts, which are a significant enhancement of Keswick’s cultural life.

IAN HARE