Thomas Oliemans & Malcolm Martineau - Brahms Songbook, Vol. 1 - Gramophone

Oliemans and his pianist, Malcolm Martineau, demonstrate their conviction at every turn: these are serious, intelligent performances. The baritone is a persuasive, involving storyteller (he’s an excellent guide through ‘Wie soll ich die Freude’, for example), and Martineau’s playing is full of detail and subtlety.

The coupling is a rarity: the first recording, as far as I’m aware, of the Regenlied cycle. It comprises settings of four poems by Klaus Groth, later all reworked and included in Acht Lieder und Gesänge, Op 59, that weren’t published in their original form until 1997. The committed, intelligent performances here represent a useful addition to the catalogue.