Jimmy Hall

For the Leader

A piece of music many pianists and singers rarely attempt will highlight this month’s Candlelight Concert Series concert.

Mezzo soprano Sydney Keegan, with accompaniment by Helen Lauritzen, will tackle Franz Schubert’s “Erlkonig” at 7 p.m. Nov. 15 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 609 Taylor St. Admission is a suggested donation of $10. 

Keegan said it’s a challenge for any soprano to sing, and it’s nearly impossible for a pianist to play with any form of mastery. Lauritzen received coaching from Carol Rich, who is new to Port Townsend, to prepare her for the German song that translates to “Elf-King.”

Keegan said Schubert composed the piece with a kind of piano that is now rarely played, and it demands certain music ideas that don’t work on a traditional iron-frame piano.

“It takes an enormous amount of physical effort to play it,” Keegan said. “It’s difficult to get someone to agree to do that.”

Lauritzen said there is a lot of difficult music and downplayed her abilities to perform “Erlkonig.”

“It’s hard because it employs a technique that is hard on a pianist’s wrist,” Lauritzen said. “It’s a great, wonderful piece of music that is fun to sing and to hear.”

Lauritzen said the entire set of songs planned will make an interesting night because each has its own flair.    

“It turned out to be a lot of fun,” Keegan said about the program. “All the music will be interesting and exciting, but the ‘Erlkonig’ is a special thing.”

Keegan said she doesn't believe it’s ever been performed in Port Townsend before.

The evening is titled “Of Dreams and Desire,” and it will present tastes of mystery, adventure, terror and comedy. The program will include soprano Linda Bach, as well as baritone David Schroeder and soprano Diana Bond. Lauritzen will accompany throughout.

The event was planned for last year, but it was canceled due to a medical emergency. 

It contains a classical repertoire in French and German in the first half, followed by a more lighthearted tone.

“The theme I had in mind was very much drawn from the 19th century Romantic Period in France and Germany,” Keegan said.

French songs that will be performed include Claude Debussy’s “Nuit d’Etoiles (Night of Stars)” and “Le Jet d’Eau,” Gabriel Faure’s “La lune blanche (The white moon shines in the wood)” and Hector Berlioz’s “Nuit paisible et sereine.” Rounding out the first half with German songs will include poetry of the Romantic Period, and “Erlkonig” will conclude.

The second half will be more lighthearted, as Schroeder will perform “The Lord Chancellor’s Nightmare Song,” as well as “Memory” from the Broadway musical “Cats.” Bond, one of Keegan’s vocal students, will perform “The Hours Creep on Apace.” The “Prayer Duet” from “Hansel and Gretel,” performed by Bond, Keegan and Bach, will finish the evening.