Scholl and Karamazov at Wigmore Hall

John Dowland Behold a wonder here
Thomas Campion My sweetest Lesbia, let us live and love
John Dowland Come away, come sweet love
Edin Karamazov Lute improvisations
John Dowland I saw my Lady weep
In darkness let me dwell
Time stands still
Edin Karamazov Lute improvisations
John Dowland Can she excuse my wrongs
Say, love if ever thou didst find
Now, O now I needs must part
George Frideric Handel Cantata: Nel dolce tempo HWV135
Edin Karamazov Lute improvisations on Bach
AnonDown by the Salley Gardens
I am a poor wayfaring stranger
O Waly Waly
Leo Brouwer Balada de un dia de julio

Andreas Scholl, countertenor
Edin Karamazov, lute

Wigmore Hall, London, 30 June 2016
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This was familiar repertoire from Andreas Scholl, and the evening had a certain cosiness before a warmly attentive Wigmore audience.

Andreas Scholl and Edin Karamazov

In many ways the lute improvisations of Edin Karamazov were the spice that kept it going.  Inward, delicate and flexible, these culminated in an adaptation of the C Major cello suite of Bach.

Scholl is a wonder to listen to, with a purity of tone and delivery that in the Wigmore acoustic had its perfect match.  It worked best in the folk songs towards the end.  He is not overly dramatic, and there was a hint of sameness with each passing piece.  Each given the Scholl treatment.

So an evening that did not quite add up to more than its parts.  But very fine parts they were.