‘Melody is the heart of music – and you can’t construct melodies. They are the essence of a musical gift.’ This was the firm belief of Erich Zeisl, who in the 1930s was considered one of the most promising musical talents in Austria. Zeisl mastered the most disparate of musical styles, and although his output was firmly rooted in the Romantic idiom, he permanently pushed its harmonic boundaries. Central to Zeisl’s output was the lied, but having been silenced by the Nazis in 1938 he composed no more lieder in exile in America. It is shameful that these works which have such an important place in the history of music and ideas are only now made accessible to a wider public (20 world-premiere recordings).

Ulf Bästlein is a Lieder specialist as well as an oratorio singer; he has recorded for many labels including Naxos, Capriccio and Orfeo. His previous release featured to ballads, songs and legends of Martin Plüddemann (855146061).

With pianist Charles Spencer, they have also recorded the music of Gustav Jenner on 8551422, about which American Record Guide wrote: ‘Bästlein shows good vocal expression and elucidation of text. He has a gentle voice and offers quiet reflective singing in hushed tones for many of the songs with good vocal expression and elucidation of text.’ It also received an Opus Klassik nomination in 2020.