The foundations of Hans Pfitzner’s Romantic musical idiom can be found in his earliest compositions. Almost all of the songs in this programme date from Pfitzner’s school and student days, with the young composer tapping into a particularly rich vein of creativity. From rediscovered manuscripts such as the surprisingly assured Ständchen to the earliest settings of his favourite lyric poet, Joseph von Eichendorff, these songs display all of the intimacy and atmosphere that would make Pfitzner a key figure of early 20th-century music. Volumes 1–3 can be heard on 8.572602, 8.572603 and 8.573082.