Strauss, R: Ruhe, meine Seele!, Op. 27 No. 1

“…there are certainly some five-star performances here - and Strauss's relatively unfamiliar 'Glückes genug' hints that she may make an Arabella of ideal candour and dignity.” BBC Music Magazine, January 2008 ****

“A warm voice and an involved accompanist grace this enjoyable recital.” Gramophone Magazine, February 2008

“[Norman is] grand, impassioned, noble, dignified, unmannered in this unforgettable interpretation” Gramophone Magazine

“The disc that alerted international audiences to Kaufmann’s gifts as both a superb singer and outstanding interpreter of the German art-song repertoire.” Sunday Times, 9th August 2009

“Stupendous is the only word to describe it. This is sexy, passionate singing, delivered with thrilling ease.” The Guardian, 11th August 2006 *****

“Strauss singing doesn't come much better than this. No doubt the composer himself, with his love of the soprano voice, would have been enthralled by Isokoski's glorious singing. He might also have approved of Janowski's straightforward, quite brisk conducting as he was never one to sentimentalise his own music. With a combination of free, unfettered tone, not a hint of strain in high-lying passages, a fine legato and an amazingly long breath, Isokoski fulfils every demand of her chosen songs. To those attributes she adds just a hint of quick vibrato, which she uses unerringly to expressive purpose throughout.
Add the depth of feeling she brings to inwardly emotional pieces such as Befreit, Ruhe meineSeele! and, above all, Morgen!, a perfect realisation of this oft-recorded piece, and you have performances to rival any of the greats of the past.
She reminds one most of Lisa della Casa, the first soprano to record the Four Last Songs, and Sena Jurinac. She has the same smiling timbre, the same natural style, the same avoidance of wallowing in music that contains its own proportion of sentiment. Try the ecstatic execution of the final verse of 'Beim Schlafengehen' and you'll understand. If, on the other hand, you prefer a more leisurely approach, there are always Janowitz and Karajan.
Janowski is obviously at one with his soprano, not only here but also in Zueignung. Refined playing from the Berlin Radio Symphony and an open recording complete the pleasure.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010

'She [Felicity Lott] never loses sight of what the words are about; her vocalism is consistently poised and centered; and its no wonder that the wealth of commitment and knowledge shes brought to Strauss music over the years has made her a prime exponent of this repertoire.' Fanfare

“Lott was still at her peak when these recordings were made in 2002, and has a background of great affinity with the Strauss muse...Her voice and phrasing are still at their glorious finest, and so is her partnership with Johnson. The result is a magical recital, naturally recorded.” Gramophone Magazine, October 2012

“With Johnson's charmingly modest and unfailing attendance, this is a recital peppered with exquisite moments of Olympian power and heroic breath control from Lott. These qualities give the lie to the fact that her remarkable voice is into its sixth decade! It is almost ideal for Strauss here: warmly lyrical, clear, lithe and sensuously intoned, majestic in its dynamic and emotional colourings.” MusicWeb International, August 2012