This episode explores the extraordinary life of the Russian poet Elisabeth Kulmann and the settings of her poems to music by Robert Schumann. The featured recital is performed by Mhairi Lawson and Eugene Asti, recorded at the Oxford Lieder Fest

Episode 4 – Schwanengesang

Jun 3rd, 2017 1h 5m

Episode 4 sees Ben and Mark discuss the feelings of dead people, music set to texts by Rupert Christiansen and Hugh Canning, and unlocking your inner tenor with baritone Roderick Williams. The highlight of the episode is a recital of the Rellst

Episode 3 – Brahms in Love

Mar 26th, 2017 1h 11m

In this episode Ben and Mark discuss the love of Brahms' life, his voluptuous beard, and getting drunk with Tchaikovsky. With an exclusive performance of the Liebeslieder-Walzer from innovative group Songspiel.

Episode 2 – Young Schumann

Mar 5th, 2017 52m 11s

This episode features an exclusive performance of Schumann's very first songs, composed when he was still a teenager writing poetry in his bedroom. Some of these song texts are in fact his own, and we're treated to a performance of them from te

Episode 2 Preview — Early Schumann

Feb 22nd, 2017 3m 20s

A preview of our forthcoming episode featuring tenor Stuart Jackson and pianist Sholto Kynoch

Episode 1 – Beethoven

Feb 19th, 2017 41m 57s

Episode 1 of The Recital Room. Benedict Nelson and Mark Stone chat about Beethoven, poetic doctors, and how not to impress the opposite sex with musical tribute. Featuring an exclusive performance of Beethoven's seminal song cycle An die fern