Synopsis:

In his short life of 31 years, Franz Schubert had composed chamber music of almost every genre and written symphonies, but he is best known for revolutionising the form of the German art song, or lieder.

While other composers set works of poets to melodies accompanied by simple chords on the piano, Schubert looked deep into the meanings of the poems that he selected, and elevated the role of the pianist to one who set the scene for the performance before the singer entered, whether painting vivid descriptions of a babbling brook in the countryside, or a horse riding through a dark stormy night.

Since many of Schubert's lieder fall into the categories of nature, death and love, on the 226th anniversary of his birth, Munch! Lunchtime Concerts celebrates with A Schubert Lieder Special, featuring four talented singers over three days with their chosen subjects of nature, death and love.

Baritone Alvin Julian Tan and pianist Pauline Lee cover the all-encompassing aspect of love, from love for nature and ones who have passed on, to romantic love and a lofty love for the ideals of art and music.