Austrian composer  Hugo Wolf is primarily known as an innovator of the Lied genre. Harmonically influenced by Wagner he created a highly individual style, in which the content of the poems he set to music were expressed in a concentrated way, the essence presented in direct, sometimes shocking and confronting gestures: a far cry from the cozy, strophic narratives of Schubert and other Romantics.

This 2 CD set, recorded in 1984 and 2002, presents two of Wolf’s most important songs cycles, the Mörike Lieder and the Italienisches Liederbuch, works which still keep a firm place in many Lieder recitals.

Superb interpretations, with an unerring sense for Wolf’s particular wry humour, irony and melancholy, by Christiane Oelze, Hans‐Peter Blochwitz and Siegfried Lorenz, the important piano parts being played with great insight by Rudolf Jansen and Norman Shetler.

Booklet contains the sung texts, as well as liner notes on the music.