Under the title ‘A Celebration of Love’ they devised a programme solely of German songs which in the first half featured Schubert settings of poems by Goethe, a tough assignment for any artist. Schubert’s style has many facets but linking him to settings of just one poet limits the expressive range. A brave thing to do but not an entirely wise one as the second half of their programme demonstrated. This was altogether more successful with settings by Schumann and Brahms of a number of poets giving more opportunity for varied interpretations.

Excellent translations of the poems were provided in the programme booklet, less necessary in the lighter songs where both artists acted out the story very effectively, particularly in their duet version of Brahms’ Vergebliches Ständchen (serenade in vain); but essential in the more serious songs. Following the texts highlighted a lack of verbal clarity. The classical singing style is very concerned with ‘line’, with maintaining an even flow of beautiful sound, but it can lead to consonants being thrown away. This lack was more evident in Malin’s contribution which sometimes forfeited character as a result.

Both singers spoke engagingly to the audience about their programme. Soprano Malin began the concert with Schubert’s Suleika which showed her beauty of tone, pitch perfect and well controlled vibrato. Joshua’s lovely tenor voice was memorable in Brahms’ Wir Wandelten They were accompanied by Simon Lepper who was superb throughout, always attentive to the needs of his partners whilst at the same time making his contribution tell effectively. An evening that got better as it went on, and was rewarded with warm final applause that brought a welcome encore.

Geoffrey Kinder