Strauss - The Complete Songs 8

The Guardian 100

Nicky Spence (tenor), Rebecca Evans (soprano), Roger Vignoles (piano)
(Hyperion)

This is the last in this superb series, devised by Roger Vignoles, of all Richard Strauss’s 174 songs for voice and piano. Those for voice and orchestra were excluded – until now. Vignoles argues the case for including the Vier letze Lieder, the composer’s famous farewell to life, in the piano transcription by Max Wolff and (only Im Abendrot) Ernst Roth. Strauss’s piano writing is already rich with orchestral colours, explored, relished, teased out wonderfully by Vignoles. In these four last songs, Rebecca Evans matches him in that particular ardent introspection Strauss demands. Nicky Spence is abundant (Cäcilie), soaring (Wenn) and tender (An Sie). Three great performers. Lucky Strauss.