V1: Complete Songs Pregardien, Eisenlohr

This first volume of Brahms’ complete songs spans a period of nearly 25 years. A prolific composer of Lieder, Brahms’ adherence to traditional form was accompanied by a modern approach to compositional style. Thematically, most songs explore ideas of love, loneliness, and solitude, perfectly exemplified by the Vier Gesänge, Op.43. This volume also contains some little-known jewels such as Versunken. (Naxos)