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Birgit Remmert is as notable on the opera stage as in the concert hall; indeed, her voice seems sometimes to burst the bounds of this very concentrated music. But she describes with delightful delicacy the quicksilver movements in Adolf von Schack's Ständchen, as the maiden darts with elfin speed to her lover. Here, too, Jan Schultsz, conductor and ex-horn player, sets the breathless scene with virtuoso skill [listen -- track 9, 0:00-1:01]. Quite different is the succeeding O wärst du mein by Nicolaus Lenau from Op 26, in which the elusive lover is not to be possessed, and Strauss's searching harmonies go to the heart of the matter and its pain [listen -- track 10, 0:02-1:10]. In Herr Lenz by Emanuel von Bodman from Op 37 it is the season of spring that cavorts through the town giving inspiration to anyone with young legs. Strauss is brimful of energy in his setting of the poem, tenderly requesting a flower for his girl in the final pianissimo. His quiet scattering of keyboard chords brings down the curtain beautifully: one can only hope Pauline allowed them to be heard [listen -- track 13, 0:01-1:05]. There is altogether much to enchant on this CD. Strauss the miniaturist is infallible, and here he has found worthy interpreters.

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