Schubert’s Winterreise with Jean-François Rouchon and Billy Eidi

Schubert’s Winterreise hardly needs an introduction. It is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest song cycles in the repertoire, a work of exceptional depth and emotional intensity. Composed 1827, a year before Schubert’s premature death from syphilis, it is a reflection of his state of mind at this stage in his life. The dark mood of the “horrifying songs” as Schubert called them, puzzled his friends exceedingly. Like many of the great masterpieces, its acceptance by the general public was a slow process. Jean-François Rouchon and Billy Eidi are regular partners in song and lieder repertoire, and have a distinguished career in France. It is a rare chance to be able to hear them in England, in a cycle they have often performed together.