Concerts in Association with the German YMCA in London
Schubert Song Prize
The History
The Schubert Society Prize, originally awarded within the Anglo-Austrian Music Society’s Richard Tauber Prize Competition, was discontinued in 2011. At that time, the Schubert Society of Britain partnered with the London Song Festival to establish a new Schubert Song Prize.
Festival founder and pianist Nigel Foster - long associated with the Society as both performer and adjudicator of Lieder competitions - took on the organisation of this new award. The first prize under the collaboration was presented in 2014 to soprano Rowan Pierce during a London Song Festival masterclass adjudicated by Ian Partridge. Since then, it has become an annual tradition.
In 2021, the Schubert Song Prize evolved into a duo award, recognising the inseparable partnership between singer and pianist in the performance of lieder. From this year onwards, both artists are judged and celebrated as equals, underlining the Festival’s commitment to fostering collaborative artistry at the very heart of Schubert’s music.
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The Masterclass
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The masterclass is open to voice and piano duos age 32 and under, who will be selected by audition. Each duo is asked to present two Lieder, sung in German, at least one of which must be by Schubert. At the end of the session, the artist in residence will select the best duo, who will win the Schubert Song Prize. ​
​The Competition
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This is the only singing competition in which the winner is selected as a result of a ‘working session’ rather than the traditional competitive set-up. The aim is to have a competition that avoids the negative ‘competitive’ element of every other competition.​​ The winners will receive a cash prize kindly donated by the Schubert Society of Britain, and be invited to give a recital as part of the London Song Festival in the fololowing year as well as a recital for the Schubert Society.
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The Singer
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In the 1960s the co-founder and then Secretary of the Society, Alan Tabelin, approached the sculptor and painter Gloria Loring with the idea to commission a trophy to be used for the encouragement of artists serving the Society with their talents. At the time the sculptor could not take on such a project. But when, in 2012, she was presented with the opportunity to create a new sculpture, she approached the Schubert Society with the offer to fulfil Alan Tabelin’s wish posthumously.
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Both the Society and our Association were happy to accept such a generous donation of an original sculpture, and Gloria Loring’s bronze “The Singer” arrived towards the end of 2013. Her idea to create “The Singer” was inspired by the American mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton, after hearing her at the famous BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition in June 2013, where she won the Song Prize and the Cardiff Singer of the World; she is only the second person in the history of the competition to win both prizes.
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The sculpture will be dedicated to the memory of Gloria’s husband, Francis Loring a baritone, translator, and gifted interpreter of Schubert’s Song Cycles, and Alan Tabelin, an enthusiastic and dedicated voluntary organiser of concerts for artists of his day. In the tradition of the Schubert Society and the German YMCA, the trophy has been given out over many years now for the encouragement of young artists and the promotion of classical live music performances.
​The Winners
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2014
Masterclass: Ian Partridge CBE - Celebrated English tenor, admired as one of the finest interpreters of Schubert and English song, with a distinguished career as performer, teacher and mentor.
Winner: Rowan Pierce (soprano) - English soprano from Yorkshire; Royal College of Music graduate, ENO Harewood Artist, and prizewinner with appearances at major UK concert venues.
2015
Masterclass: Nicky Spence OBE - Scottish tenor praised for his vocal brilliance and charismatic presence; leading opera and recital artist, and a tireless advocate for song.
Winner: Peter Aisher (tenor) – British tenor and RCM International Opera School graduate, known for his lyrical sound and operatic roles across Europe.
2016
Masterclass: Dame Felicity Lott DBE - One of Britain’s most beloved sopranos, renowned for Strauss, French song, and an acclaimed international recital career.
Winner: Eleanor Penfold (soprano) – RCM-trained soprano and Ruth-West Scholar, active in opera and recital, with 'performances in Paris and other places and roles with English Touring Opera.
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2017
Masterclass: Sophie Daneman - English soprano celebrated for Handel, Mozart and French song, and also active as a director and teacher.
Winner: Mayan Rachel Goldenfeld (soprano) – Italian-Israeli soprano, now ensemble member at Theater Bielefeld, with roles including Nanetta (Falstaff) and Frasquita (Carmen).
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2018
Masterclass: Sally Burgess - British mezzo and long-time ENO principal; now a leading director and vocal coach, encouraging young singers in opera and recital.
Winner: Madeleine Bradbury Rance (soprano) – British dramatic soprano, trained at Cambridge and Trinity Laban, noted for powerful stage portrayals and outreach work.
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2019
Masterclass: Christoph Prégardien - German lyric tenor, regarded as one of the world’s greatest Schubert interpreters, with a vast discography and international teaching career.
Winner: Frazer Scott (bass-baritone) – Guildhall and Birmingham Conservatoire graduate, performing opera and concert repertoire at Wigmore Hall and UK festivals.
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2020
No Masterclass (Covid-19)
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2021 (now a duo prize)
Masterclass: Dame Sarah Connolly DBE - Internationally admired British mezzo-soprano, renowned for roles from Handel to Mahler and appearances at leading opera houses and festivals.
Winners: Anika-France Forget (mezzo) & Cole Knutson (piano) - Canadian mezzo and UK-trained composer/recitalist; partnered by pianist Cole Knutson, an award-winning collaborative pianist.
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2022
Masterclass: Sir Thomas Allen CBE - One of Britain’s most distinguished baritones; famed for Mozart and English song, with a career at Covent Garden, the Met, and beyond.
Winners: Rebecca Leggett (mezzo) & George Ireland (piano) - Rebecca is an RCM-trained early-music specialist; George is a collaborative pianist praised for vivid, sensitive accompaniment.
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2023
Masterclass: Lucy Crowe OBE - British soprano acclaimed for radiant tone and versatility across opera, oratorio, and recital.
Winners: Madeline Boreham (soprano) & Francesca Lauri (piano) - Madeline is an RCM lyric soprano and Ferrier finalist; Francesca is an award-winning collaborative pianist and song specialist.
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2024
Masterclass: Nicky Spence OBE - See 2015 bio. A leading tenor, mentor and champion of song.
Winners: Eyra Norman (soprano) & Abhisri Chaudhuri (piano) - Eyra is a Malaysian-born soprano and RCM graduate; Abhisri is a Scottish-Indian pianist training with Simon Lepper and Roger Vignoles.