Heimat: Songs by Brahms, Schubert, Strauss, etc Benjamin Appl (ba), James Baillieu (pf)

A beautifully chosen recital: based around an abstract theme, certainly, but skilfully blending repertoire familiar and unfamiliar, intense and direct. His Schubert and Brahms are exquisite; Strauss’ Allerseelen even finer, with diction, colour and responsiveness second to none. Perhaps as a nod to his former BBC New Generation Artist role, there are six British songs in flawless English (seven if one counts Poulenc’s Hyde Park). Baillieu is an imaginative and insightful partner, and the recording does full justice to a winning project.

GUY WEATHERALL Read the full review on Agora Classica