Mark Padmore & Paul Lewis - Edinburgh International Festival: Chamber Music Highlights 2020 - The Scotsman

They say the wife always has the last word. Not so in Wednesday’s song recital by tenor Mark Padmore and pianist Paul Lewis in which four artful songs by Clara Schumann functioned as warm-up to husband Robert’s demonstrative song cycle, Dichterliebe.

Clara, principally recognised as a pianist, was no slouch as a composer, as the homely warmth of Volkslied and heated agitation of Lorelei served to illustrate. They were also indicative of the entrancing containment running through Padmore’s entire poetic delivery.

And what a joy to hear Paul Lewis in this ­supportive role, giving gravitational support to Padmore’s airy ­authority, but equally sourcing expressive insights of his own.