Wolfgang Holzmair, Wigmore Hall, London - review

It was Wolfgang Holzmair's success at his Wigmore Hall debut in 1989 that lifted his career to an international level. He sang Schubert - a heartfelt performance of "Die Sterne" won a spontaneous round of applause, at which he looked quite surprised - and the (then all-important) record contract followed, bringing his artistry to a worldwide audience.

Nearly 25 years later this was his farewell solo recital at the hall. In a short speech at the end, Holzmair said he has always regarded the Wigmore as one of the "Grand Slam" engagements. He has sung at the hall nearly 40 times, most often with Imogen Cooper as his accompanist in what has become a familiar partnership of 22 years' standing.

They were together for this all-Schubert programme. Making a connection back to his debut, it opened with seven songs that were also heard in 1989, an imaginative group based on Greek mythology, featuring Philoctetes, Atys, the goddess Diana and a journey to Hades. Holzmair's baritone has lost a lot of its softness and flexibility since his first appearance (he has been singing professionally for 36 years, which is a good innings) but he still has strength, authority and a hot-line to communication with the audience.

One novelty had been saved for the occasion. The song "Einsamkeit", D620 - "song" hardly seems the right term, more an entire cycle of songs joined together - lasts almost 20 minutes and is marvellously free and inspired, written when Schubert said he was "without a care in the world". It is, not surprisingly, a rarity and Holzmair brought his decades of experience to bear as he led the Wigmore audience vividly through its varied terrain.

For the rest the singer was, if not charming as in his youth, certainly imposing in every way. He has become a very physical performer, sometimes waving his hands about like a conductor, sometimes more a sculptor moulding poetic images in the air. In the company of Cooper's deeply musical accompaniments he brought extra weight of meaning to various songs of departure, such as "Auflosung" ("Dissolve, world, and never more disturb the sweet, ethereal choirs"). And then there was a single Wolf encore, "Fussreise", to send Holzmair off on his own new journey.

wolfgangholzmair.com

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