Strauss, (R.): The Complete Songs Vol. 2

BBC Magazine Award Finalist 2008 (Best vocal recording)

"This fine CD is a worthy successor to Volume One in the series and an essential purchase for all lovers of Strauss lieder"
(MusicWeb Recording of the Month July 2007)

'Most unusual of today's great Straussian sopranos, Schwanewilms chooses Lieder tailored to her beauty of line - perfectly complemented by Vignoles - and ability to change colour on a note. Her dramatic skill reaches its zenith of strangeness in the three Ophelia Songs.' (BBC)

This is a collection of rarities and wellknown works, performed here to great effect by Strauss expert Anne Schwanewilms, whose dramatic and vocal gifts are demonstrated in this second volume of the complete Strauss Lieder. Highlights among this selection are the impassioned and dramatic O wärst du mein!, the delightful miniatures of Weißer Jasmin and Wiegenliedchen, the two Alsatian folksongs, and not least the remarkable Blindenklage.

Anne Schwanewilms is one of the greatest Strauss sopranos on the opera stage today, performing many major roles under Simon Rattle, Colin Davis, Andrew Davis, Semyon Bychkov and Mark Elder. This is her debut recording for Hyperion.