Sarahlouise Owens, soprano
Natalia Tkachenko, piano
Presented by Canta Viva
Wesley Music Centre, September 6
Reviewed by Len Power
In presenting songs and music by Robert and Clara Schumann as well as Johannes Brahms, soprano, Sarahlouise Owens, and pianist, Natalia Tkachenko, provided a rich program of romantic, spiritual and dramatic power.
Sarahlouise Owens has worked extensively in Europe and is a
graduate of the ANU School of Music and Royal Northern College of Music,
Manchester. She has established herself
as a busy concert artist and recitalist of Art Song since her return to
Australia.
 |
| Natalia Tkachenko, piano & Sarahlouise Owens (soprano) |
Natalia Tkachenko graduated with honours from the Moscow State Institute of Music and worked extensively in Moscow, France, Germany and South Korea before residing in Canberra and working with the ANU School of Music.
Clara Wieck was a piano virtuoso who fell in love at an
early age with the composer, Robert Schumann, in 1836. Clara’s father refused
permission for them to marry, but, after a court battle, they were free to
marry without her father’s consent in 1840, when she was 21. In 1853, the young
Johannes Brahms called on Robert Schumann with a letter of introduction. He
became part of their household and proved to be a tower of strength for Clara
during Robert’s later bouts of mental illness.
The program commenced with Robert Schumann’s Widmung
(Dedication) from Myrthen Op.23, a song cycle written as a wedding present to
Clara. Owens’ beautifully clear soprano and her skill at presenting the right
level of emotion in the song made this the perfect choice for the start of the
program.
Owens then presented Liederkreis (song cycle) Op. 39 by
Robert Schumann, 12 musical pieces set to the words of poet Joseph von
Eichendorff. The cycle ranged through a wide variety of emotions and Owens
expertly captured the spirit of each. Her dramatic skills were particularly
notable in the piece Forest Conversation where the Lorelei was fiercely
portrayed.
Pianist, Natalia Tkachenko, then played Brahms’ Variations
on Theme of R. Schumann “Clara” Op.9. This rich, romantic work was played
superbly by Tchakeno, bringing out all the warmth and feeling in the
composition.
The large program continued with works by Brahms, Clara and
Robert Schumann. The four pieces in Aus Jucunde (from Joy) by Clara Schumann
were one of the highlights, as was the Spanish Song Op. 6 by Brahms and a
selection from Brahms’ Songs and Romances Op.14.
Owens was in fine voice throughout this lengthy concert and
her presentation of pertinent information about the relationship of the
Schumanns with Brahms was polished and highly interesting.
This excellent concert finished with Schubert’s dramatic Erlkõnig
as an encore. Both Owens and Tkachenko gave this thrilling work a performance
to remember.
Photo by Len Power
This review was first published by Canberra CityNews digital edition on 7 September 2025.
Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs.
