Schubert & the Romantics Concert - Otaki Waikanae Presbyterian Church

Experience an afternoon of exquisite Romantic-era music as Festival Singers of Wellington and acclaimed pianist Ingrid Schoenfeld present Schubert & the Romantics, a programme celebrating the depth and beauty of 19th-century choral and piano repertoire.

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What is Romanticism?

It’s more than just a period or a musical style – it’s a world of contradictions and intense emotion. Romanticism emerged in the late 18th century and swept through music, art, and culture like wildfire. It celebrated deep inner feeling, personal expression, and the mysteries of the soul, while also revering the grandeur of the past. Wild nature inspired its poetry, but its music often came to life in elegant salons. Romanticism valued beauty, sensuality, and innovation, all while chasing the unseen and ineffable. Most powerfully, it elevated instrumental music – especially piano – to the ultimate form of personal and spiritual expression.

This concert brings that rich emotional world to life. Schubert’s intimate Impromptus open a window into the soul, each piece revealing something deeply personal and profound. Choral works by Dvořák, Rachmaninoff, Fauré, and Rheinberger carry the sacred intensity of a spiritual revival, while Brahms and Mendelssohn reach back into the past to reshape the music of Bach’s era with Romantic fire. Borodin and Mussorgsky infuse their compositions with vivid storytelling and lush harmonies, and Schumann’s Ungewisses Licht captures the very essence of Romanticism – mysterious, dramatic, and utterly human. This is a concert to awaken your imagination and stir the soul.

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Ingrid Schoenfeld, a distinguished Wellington soloist and musical director, will perform Franz Schubert’s Four Impromptus, Op. 90—a set of expressive and virtuosic piano works that showcase the composer’s lyrical genius and emotional intensity.

The Festival Singers of Wellington, a 35-member choir which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026, will bring to life some of the most beloved Romantic choral works, featuring:

Solo Piano
Impromptu in C minor D.899 No. 1
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)

Choir
Gloria – Mass in D Major Op. 86
Antonín Dvorák (1841-1904)
A joyous and radiant choral celebration, blending classical form with Bohemian warmth and spiritual depth.

Geistliches Lied Op. 30
Johannes Brahms (1833-97)
An exquisite double-chorus motet, rich in counterpoint and harmony.

Ungewisses Licht
– Vier Doppelchörige Gesänge Op. 141
Robert Schumann (1810-56)
A poignant and atmospheric reflection on fleeting light.

Requiem
Alexander Borodin (1833-87)
Arr. Heather Easting
A profound and solemn meditation on mortality, woven with Borodin’s trademark lyricism and rich harmonic colour.

Bogoroditse Devo
Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943)
A radiant and deeply moving invocation to the Virgin Mary.

The Destruction of Sennacherib
Modest Mussorgsky (1839-81)
Trans. William McElwee
Arr. Heather Easting
A dramatic setting of Lord Byron’s poem, brimming with energy and power.

Solo Piano
Impromptu in E flat major D.899 No. 2
Impromptu in G flat major D.899 No. 3
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)

Choir
Cantique de Jean Racine
Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924)
A sublime and reverent setting of a 17th-century hymn.

Abendlied Op. 69 No. 3
Josef Rheinberger (1839-1901)
A glowing choral miniature evoking the peace of evening.

Solo Piano
Impromptu in A flat major D.899 No. 4
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)

Choir
The Night is Departing
– Lobgesang Op. 52
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-47)
A triumphant choral masterpiece from Mendelssohn’s great symphony-cantata.

Set in the elegant surroundings of Otaki Waikanae Presbyterian Church, this concert promises a captivating journey through the Romantic era. With its warm acoustics and comfortable seating, the venue provides an ideal setting for an unforgettable musical experience.

Join us for an afternoon of soaring melodies, lush harmonies, and expressive storytelling.

Download the PDF Programme Booklet for this concert