'Lieder Master' Goerne: "'Winterreise' Is a Masterpiece That Inspires Reflection on Humanity"

"Schubert's 'Winterreise' is a work that makes you reflect on what it means to be human."

World-renowned baritone Matthias Goerne, recognized as the preeminent authority on Lieder (German art song), shared this view of Schubert, often called the "king of song." On June 21, at Lotte Concert Hall, Goerne will perform Schubert's celebrated song cycle "Winterreise." Pianist Yekwon Sunwoo, who won the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2017, will accompany him.

Composed just one year before his death, "Winterreise" is Schubert's signature work. Over his brief 31-year life, Schubert wrote more than 600 songs, earning him the title "king of song." He set poems by Wilhelm Müller to music, completing a cycle of 24 songs.

At a press conference held on June 18 at the Hyatt Hotel in Seoul, Goerne remarked, "For me, Schubert is an extremely important composer, second only to Bach. Without Schubert, I would not have become a singer." He explained that, influenced by his parents who deeply loved classical music, he first heard "Winterreise" at the age of five or six, which naturally inspired his dream of becoming a vocalist.

Matthias Goerne (left) and pianist Yekwon Sunwoo. Hanse Yes24 Culture Foundation

Goerne described Schubert as a composer with deep literary insight, saying, "He was a composer with a profound understanding of literature, elevating poetry to an entirely new dimension of music and revealing new possibilities for interpreting text."

Introducing the story of "Winterreise," Goerne explained why the work prompts reflection on the human condition. The protagonist, suffering from inexplicable pain, faces the wind, cold, and silent nature, experiencing profound loneliness and solitude. Such moments offer an opportunity for self-reflection and contemplation. Although the protagonist dreams of a new beginning, he ultimately realizes that life is a cycle of repetition.

Goerne also touched on the work's contemporary significance, referencing the deepening sense of isolation and lack of genuine communication in today's digital environment.

He said, "We are more connected than ever before, but genuine conversation is becoming scarcer. The result can be loneliness." He continued, "'Winterreise' is a work that makes us reexamine the essence and inner world of human existence."

Goerne praised not only Müller's poetry but also Schubert's musical settings, saying, "All 24 songs have beautiful melodies, yet it is difficult to find two that are alike. Each piece has a completely unique form and character, offering distinct expressions and moods."

Pianist Yekwon Sunwoo, who will accompany Goerne, has also repeatedly mentioned Schubert as his favorite composer. During a recent press conference marking the release of his new album "Liszt," Sunwoo said that listening to Schubert's song "The Shepherd on the Rock" taught him that music should be felt not only with the mind but also with the heart, which made him especially love Lieder. He added that he wanted to play as if singing, and thus included three Schubert songs arranged by Liszt on his new album.

At the joint press conference with Goerne, Sunwoo reaffirmed, "Schubert is the composer I love, cherish, and value the most," and did not hide his affection for Lieder.

Pianist Yekwon Sunwoo, baritone Matthias Goerne, and Soo-mi Baek, Chairperson of Hansae Yes24 Culture Foundation (from left to right), are taking a commemorative photo after the press conference held at the Hyatt Hotel in Seoul on the 18th. Hansae Yes24 Culture Foundation

He said, "Lieder is the most intimate and introspective genre, where poetry and music are combined," adding, "It's like having a closer dialogue with more intimate breathing, which leaves a very special impression."

As a lover of Lieder, Sunwoo emphasized his admiration for Goerne, saying, "He is a vocalist I have respected for such a long time."

Sunwoo stressed that greater humility and flexibility are required when performing Lieder compared to other repertoire. "When performing with a vocalist, you need to breathe together with flexibility and respond immediately to the singer's subtle changes," he explained. "The piano also plays a role in expressing the narrator's psychology and emotion, as well as the work's setting and mood." He added, "Schubert is an intensely personal yet deeply human composer, and when performing his music, what matters most is a sincere commitment to understanding the emotional depth of the piece."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.