The Complete Songs Vol 1

The inception of an important new series on Hyperion: the complete songs of Richard Strauss on a projected eight or nine CDs. Although Strauss wrote over two hundred songs, barely a dozen are well known to the public at large and not more than perhaps thirty feature with any regularity in concert programmes. In part this obscurity could be ascribed to the mediocre nature of much of the poetry the composer chose to set; Goethe, Rückert and Heine do indeed put in an appearance, but for the most part Strauss seemed content to set lesser-known poems from the byways of literature. Perhaps this allowed him to focus more completely on the music itself, unburdened of the potential for invidious comparison. The orchestral nature of many of Strauss’s accompaniments, furthermore, can serve to intimidate performers, yet we know that the composer’s own performances (many given with his soprano wife) allowed for significant divergence from the so-called Urtext as circumstances demanded. Such considerations are swept aside in this new recording, with Roger Vignoles providing the perfect accompaniment to Christine Brewer (whose performances in Ariadne auf Naxos have, not surprisingly, won her considerable international acclaim) in a recital which combines such favourites as Wiegenlied, Zueignung and Allerseelen with a host of lesser-known songs in the first of what promises to be an enthralling series. Full texts and translations are provided, along with insightful commentaries on each song by Roger Vignoles.

'Could there be a more enticing title stamped across a CD than Strauss: The Complete Songs - 1? Richard Strauss the man may be widely resistible; but it would take someone extraordinarily hard-hearted not to take any delight in his luxuriant imagination and succulent harmonies … Each planned CD in the series will be shaped around the talents of different singers, and Brewer's disc marks a tremendous start' (The Times)

'Hyperion's encylopaedic collection of Schubert songs was one of the great recording projects of the Nineties. Now the beleaguered company hopes to do the same for Richard Strauss … The series launches in style with the soprano Christine Brewer, accompanied by Roger Vignoles, whose booklet notes are as perceptive and stylishly executed as his piano playing' (The Evening Standard)

'Hyperion is following its massive surveys of Schubert and Schumman by kicking off a retrospective of Strauss's complete lieder with a recital by Christine Brewer and pianist Roger Vignoles. If this is anything to go by, the series should be at once scholarly and thrilling' (The Guardian)

'Christine Brewer in magisterial voice … a major project, beautifully performed and presented' (The Independant)

'Christine Brewer … combine opulent, blazing tone, fearless top notes and surprising agility' (Daily Telegraph)

'At all times Brewer and Vignoles work together hand in glove … This is a properly equal partnership that bodes very well indeed for this admirable project. Brewer and Vignoles set high standards for anyone who would record Strauss now and for future collaborations on Hyperion too!' (International Record Review)

'there seems to be no challenge that Christine Brewer and Roger Vignoles can't meet in these opulent songs. Brewer's soaring voice offers a fabulous range of colour and dynamics, and Vignoles matches her with a truly orchestral palette at the keyboard' (Classic FM Magazine)

'Christine Brewer is a fine choice for this first disc in what is expected to be a total of eight or nine CDs … one is already impatient for the arrival of Volume 2. Full texts with translations are given, of course, and concise but informative notes from Vignoles. This recital is a gift not to be missed' (Fanfare, USA)

'The CD, itself as masterfully composed as the songs on it, begins, appropriately, with 'Zueignung' and ends, touchingly but without sentimentality, with the last song from that same Op. 10, 'Allerseelen' ... Brewer is blessed with what legendary record producer Walter Legge called the sine qua non of the great singer; a distinctive, immediately identifiable sound. Her remarkably supple voice, Rubenesque in size and voluptuosness, has just enough acid to allow her to etch each song with highly detailed word painting and her personal stamp ... the insight Brewer brings to the less familiar songs brings deep satisfactions' (Bay Area Reporter)

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Recording details: March 2004; All Saints, Durham Road, East Finchley, London, United Kingdom; Produced by Mark Brown; Engineered by Julian Millard; Release date: May 2005;