Christiane Karg feels close to Richard Strauss, and not simply because they both grew up amid Bavarian landscape. Together with Mozart, the great late Romanticist now plays an ever greater part in her repertoire: she was recently acclaimed in both Antwerp and Ghent as Sophie in 'Der Rosenkavalier'.

Since Strauss has always figured in her lieder recitals, this CD of Strauss lieder comes as no surprise. Indeed, anyone who has followed Christiane Karg's career will see this new release as a logical consequence.

Christiane Karg's personal choice of lieder combines the familiar with the seldom heard, lively songs with more reflective ones, and delivers a convincing range that rightly demotes such details to a secondary role.

Alphorn, written when the composer was a mere twelve years old, requires an obbligato horn, played on this recording by Felix Klieser.

Her pianist is Malcolm Martineau, an exceptional artist in his own right, who navigates virtuoso hurdles with ease while giving the vocal part a steady foundation. One only needs to hear the opening bars of Morgen in order to capture that remarkable musical pulse. This is a real summit of achievement!