Jocelyn Freeman

pianist & curator

Freeman brings a full range of colours to her touch, as well as a sensitive response to harmony and terrific control of texture.

Natasha Loges, BBC Music Magazine

About

The award-winning Welsh collaborative pianist Jocelyn Freeman is lauded for her artistry, programming and powers of communication. Artist-in-Residence at the 2025 St Davids Cathedral Festival, she is an advocate for diversity in a range of artistic endeavours and has curated extensive concert and recording projects to wide critical acclaim. Her love of the Lied genre led her to establish SongEasel in 2018, a charity for Song in South East London. As its Founder-Director, she has pioneered new approaches to audience development and the wider welfare of the music ecosystem, which have gained international attention. She values her role as a mentor for early-career musicians, devising and delivering a series of collaborative and keynote talks and song masterclasses ‘Song & Society’, most recently in Salzburg by kind invitation of the Mozarteum University.

In 2023, Jocelyn was endorsed with a prestigious Associateship from the Royal Academy of Music for her contribution to the music industry. She is a skilled communicator on the concert platform, and in broadcasts, recording and social media, has featured in several industry and lifestyle publications.

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Projects & Recordings

The Poet’s Echo, Lieder, Rubicon Classics
A disc of songs by Britten, Prokofiev and Shostakovich
A recital and recording project of works by Britten, Prokofiev and Shostakovich Not only does The Poet’s Echo present a pioneering new arrangement of Britten’s cycle by the same name but it is also steeped in the milieu of nineteenth- and twentieth-century Moscow: the culture of censorship; the fear artists experienced; and the solace of friendship. Inspired by the poetry of Alexander Pushkin (1799-1837), the project features three composers who enjoyed a significant link with Mstislav Rostropovich and his wife, Galina Vishnevskaya, for whom the original Britten cycle was written during a visit to a composers’ retreat in Armenia.

With baritone Gareth Brynmor John, soprano Gemma Summerfield and cellist Abi Hyde-Smith.

“This thoughtfully-programmed and beautifully-performed recital of works inspired by Pushkin showcases… Freeman [as] an illuminating presence throughout.” – Katherine Cooper, Presto Classical
The Poet’s Echo2023
<a href="https://rubiconclassics.com/release/the-poets-echo/" target="_blank">The Poet’s Echo</a>
Marie von Kehler
Premiere recordings of recently discovered songs with Stephan Loges When Stephen Rodgers from Artsong Augmented approached us about recording some songs by Marie von Kehler, we both answered a resounding ‘yes’: What a privilege to present four gorgeous songs to the world! On deeper exploration we were astounded that her works weren’t better known. Her musical language draws comparisons with Liszt, Brahms and Mozart, and her pianistic writing is truly brilliant.
Marie von Kehler 2021
Marie von Kehler
Meeting of Minds
A recital project with soprano Ailish Tynan.
Meeting of Minds celebrates a notorioius dinner meeting that followed the premiere of Stravinsky’s Le Renard in Paris in May 1922, as referenced in Richard Davenport-Hines’ book, A Night at the Majestic. Hosted by philanthropic Londoners Violet and Sydney Schiff, the evening included Proust, Joyce, Picasso, Stravinsky and Diaghilev... as well as significant quantities of drink, the stars being fashionably late, and occasional moments of near hostility! Our programme features the poetry of James Joyce alongside Poulenc with his dear Louise Vilmoran, and Copland who was present in Paris shortly after this momentous occasion.
Meeting of Minds2022
Meeting of Minds
Flax & Fire: Songs of Devotion, Lieder, Orchid Classics
A disc of songs by Britten, Wolf, Liszt, Schumann and Denis Browne.
Flax & Fire is a recital of songs centred around devotion and passion, with the title inspired by a line from Britten’s Canticle 1, “For I was flax and he was flames of fire”. All the songs encompass a profound feeling of love. In many songs this essence is so intense that it leads to transformation or idolisation, or the infatuation is so strong that we might question the perspective of the object of these affections.
With tenor Stuart Jackson.

“...and along with Freeman the two bring out the remarkable modernity of Wolf's writing… a highly satisfying [programme]” - Robert Hugill
Flax & Fire: Songs of Devotion2020
<a href="https://orchid-music.lnk.to/stuart_jocelyn" target="_blank">Flax & Fire: Songs of Devotion</a>
The Isolated Pianist
As the pandemic stuck in March 2020 I searched for a way to maintain artistic momentum on Schubert’s Die schöne Müllerin from lockdown, as I had been preparing to perform it in April. Creating a Patreon account, I shared solo piano video-recordings of songs from this cycle, specifically Liszt’s Müllerlieder. On completion of this set, I began a new musical journey focussing on Thomas Tomkins and Morfydd Llwyn Owen, inspired by the sense of longing I feel for West Wales, known as ‘hiraeth’ in Welsh.
The Isolated Pianist2020
<a href="https://www.patreon.com/PianoLieder" target="_blank">The Isolated Pianist</a>
Song Lied Cân, Ty Cerdd Records
A disc of songs by Clara Schumann and Rhian Samuel, Ty Cerdd Records. This collection presents vocal works of the 2019 anniversary composers Rhian Samuel (born 1944) and Clara Schumann (born 1819), two women who play or have played an important role in the development of song during their lifetimes, and displays the beauty, optimism and integrity of their musical languages. The programme juxtaposes brilliant classical mastery and vibrant word setting by Clara Schumann against more angular and dramatic boldness from Rhian Samuel.
With soprano Katherine Dain and bass-baritone Paul Carey Jones.

“Quietly impressive work” - Fiona Maddocks, The Observer
Song Lied Cân2019
<a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/6MM0ccllP6SbOsMHk54AzX?si=VG_j-RZyS8aA0VajTPV3cQ" target="_blank">Song Lied Cân</a>
Dilys: A Master of Miniature - recital programme performed in the 2018 Machynlleth Festival. After recording ‘Mae hireath yn y môr’ I was inspired to create a varied Lieder programme featuring the works of Dilys Elwyn Edwards alongside composers who inspired her. Her mastery of miniature form and sensitivity to text is remarkable in both Welsh and English song, and she exhibits musical influences as diverse as Schubert, Schumann, Debussy, Delius, Warlock and Howells. Works by Claude Debussy, Dilys Elwyn Edwards, Edvard Grieg, Michael Head, Herbert Howells, Felix Mendelssohn and Charles Hubert Hastings Parry.
Dilys: A Master of Miniature2018
Dilys: A Master of Miniature</a>
Mae hiraeth yn y mor, Ty Cerdd Records
A disc of songs by Dilys Elwyn Edwards This project holds very fond memories for me: It was significant, not only because it formative for my duo with Elin Manahan Thomas, but it also coincided with the centenary suffragette movement and one hundred years since the birth of one of Wales’ leading composers, Dilys Elwyn Edwards. I am incredibly grateful for Elin who took me on this wonderful journey of discovery through this music, and I am delighted that we could record this première disc of her songs.
Mae hiraeth yn y mor2018
<a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/4818CoMnPpBdMniDhfb4ro?si=kV8pb4YJT6-M0tUnxvyW_Q" target="_blank">Mae hiraeth yn y mor</a>
Night & Novelties: A Piano Recital, Kissan Records
A disc of solo piano music My debut CD includes a combination of charming, lesser-known repertoire alongside some well-loved nocturnal classics. Poulenc’s Novelettes fall into the category with their subtlety and nuance, as does Debussy’s Pour le Piano: the Sarabande was one of his earlier piano works and evokes plainchant and medieval modality. The virtuosity of its outer movements is matched in Liszt’s arrangements of Schumann Lieder. The recital opens with Beethoven’s ‘Moonlight’ Sonata and concludes with Satie’s tenebrous Gymnopedie No. 1.
Quantity
Night & Novelties: A Piano Recital2012
Night & Novelties: A Piano Recital
Christmas Carol Service celebrating Women Composers
For this Carol Service at St Laurence Church, Catford I choose to programme choral works solely by female composers. The choir embraced the challenge of learning a whole new programme, and I was delighted to bring this music into greater public awareness. Two of our composers attended, and the featured works were Dilys Elwyn Edwards’ Ivy Carol, Joanna Gill’s Evening Snow, Sarah MacDonald’s O Come, O Come Emmanuel, Rhian Samuel’s What Cheer! and Mairead Sheerin’s Nóiméad.
Christmas Carol Service celebrating Women Composers2018
<a href="http://www.stlaurencecatford.org.uk/" target="_blank">Christmas Carol Service celebrating Women Composers</a>

… ever-sensitive… exemplary, whether taking the lead or in discreet support.

Richard Wigmore, Gramophone

SongEasel

SongEasel was established by Jocelyn in 2018 to bring Song to South East London. Now a registered charity with its own separate website, each series holds diversity and inclusivity at the heart of its mission, in harmony with showcasing exceptional musical quality at an international standard.

SongEasel Website

Media

Schedule

Song & Society workshops: Salzburg

I'll be delivering English song Masterclass and song workshops for the Lieder students in the Mozarteum University in Salzburg. We'll be delving into the world of song and considering how it can proactively contribute to society.

 

28-30 April 2025

Mozarteum University

Salzburg, Austria

More info

Schumann's Myrthen


It's a pleasure to launch SongEasel's 2025 series with Schumann's joyous and heartfelt song cycle, Myrthen, which was his wedding gift to Clara Wieck. I'll be teaming up with an amazing line-up of Stephan Loges, Francesca Chiejina and Isaac Tolley.

7 pm, Saturday 10 May 2025

St George the Martyr Church 

Borough, London SE1 1JA

Tickets

Listening to Clara & Robert Schumann

SongEasel host a special Listening Club event dedicated to the life and work of Clara and Robert Schumann. For this relaxed event I'll be joined by Stephan Loges, Catherine Hooper and Michael Trainor.

12 am, 11 April 2025

St Laurence Church

Catford, London SE6 2TS

More info

Schumann's Dichterliebe

As part of SongEasel's Schumann celebrations, I will be joining the amazing tenor James Gilchrist for a recital of works combining settings of Dylan Thomas' lyric poetry from Rhian Samuel, William Mathias and Isabella Gellis with Schumann's iconic cycle, Dichterliebe.

7.30 pm, 22 May 2025

The Old Library,

Dulwich College, London SE21 7LD

Tickets

Artist-in-Residence: St Davids Festival

I'm honoured to be returning to the St Davids Cathedral Festival as Artist-in-Residence this year. Over three concerts I will perform Schumann's Dichterliebe with James Gilchrist, the Trout Quintet with players from the Alkyona Quartet, and Clara Schumann's Notturno for solo piano.

25 May – 27 May 2025

St Davids Cathedral 

Wales

More info

Clara & Robert Schumann recital

The inimitable bass-baritone Stephan Loges and I team up again for Robert Schumann's inspired Liederkreis Op 39. We pair this cycle with songs by Clara Schumann and selections from Robert Schumann's Kernerlieder Op 35.

7.30 pm, Friday 27 May 2025

St Matthew’s Church

Elephant & Castle, London SE1 6RG

Tickets

...with heavy, sooty piano chords, deftly shaded by Freeman, fading to a hushed end.

Fiona Maddocks, The Observer

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