When Graham Johnson was in Montreal earlier this year, one of the private group coaching sessions I did also had a performance of these. Graham said he believes the discussion around these songs/poems often incorrectly (in his opinion) centers around heteronormativity and gender expectations in marriage. According to him, the interesting thing about the narrator’s relationship with her husband is not that she is a woman and he is a man, but that she was a servant and he broke the class barrier and married below his station for love alone. From that perspective, at least, the texts were actually subversive of societal norms at the time!
Interesting...! I brought this up with my Schumann expert professor and she wasn't sure about this argument but I'd be interested to learn more! Just shows how quick we can be to form opinions about things we don't know enough about... I kind of want to perform Frauenliebe as an act of subversion now... (ie. what's wrong with a beautiful declaration of love/devotion?). Honestly Josh, you should consider it!!!! Check this: https://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/06/arts/music/why-shouldnt-men-sing-romantic-drivel-too.html (this article is outdated, as feminist criticism has evolved since it was written... but still! I love the idea of a man taking it on and it is so beautiful!)
Brava, yet again, on everything you touch. You are quite an extraordinarily talented young woman, endowed with so many gifts. I treasure having had you in the CCOC and being privileged to observe you grow into a beautiful singer, thinker and writer, and artist. Yes, I still have that lovely card you made and sent me after Errol died. I am in Colorado, but will be back in Toronto in April. I would love to see you. 🎶Ann
dear ann - i am so touched by this comment!! you and errol were both such a formative part of my childhood/teenage years. i think of you often and am sending warm wishes from snowy montreal!! big hugs <3
When Graham Johnson was in Montreal earlier this year, one of the private group coaching sessions I did also had a performance of these. Graham said he believes the discussion around these songs/poems often incorrectly (in his opinion) centers around heteronormativity and gender expectations in marriage. According to him, the interesting thing about the narrator’s relationship with her husband is not that she is a woman and he is a man, but that she was a servant and he broke the class barrier and married below his station for love alone. From that perspective, at least, the texts were actually subversive of societal norms at the time!
Interesting...! I brought this up with my Schumann expert professor and she wasn't sure about this argument but I'd be interested to learn more! Just shows how quick we can be to form opinions about things we don't know enough about... I kind of want to perform Frauenliebe as an act of subversion now... (ie. what's wrong with a beautiful declaration of love/devotion?). Honestly Josh, you should consider it!!!! Check this: https://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/06/arts/music/why-shouldnt-men-sing-romantic-drivel-too.html (this article is outdated, as feminist criticism has evolved since it was written... but still! I love the idea of a man taking it on and it is so beautiful!)
Dearest Sara,
Brava, yet again, on everything you touch. You are quite an extraordinarily talented young woman, endowed with so many gifts. I treasure having had you in the CCOC and being privileged to observe you grow into a beautiful singer, thinker and writer, and artist. Yes, I still have that lovely card you made and sent me after Errol died. I am in Colorado, but will be back in Toronto in April. I would love to see you. 🎶Ann
dear ann - i am so touched by this comment!! you and errol were both such a formative part of my childhood/teenage years. i think of you often and am sending warm wishes from snowy montreal!! big hugs <3