The Guardian, 11 August 2006

Tim Ashley

Richard Strauss, Lieder

Jonas Kaufmann (tenor), Helmut Deutsch (piano) Harmonia Mundi HMC 901879

*****

Richard Strauss notoriously disliked tenors, once even going to far as to call them "a disease". You can't help feeling, however, that he might have changed his mind had he heard this tremendous disc, which features Jonas Kaufmann tackling 27 of his songs. Stupendous is the only word to describe it. This is sexy, passionate singing, delivered with thrilling ease. Kaufmann's performances of such familiar numbers as Breit über mein Haut, Traum durch die Dämmerung and Befreit are particularly overwhelming, although his programme also contains rarities such as Ich liebe dich and Wozu noch Mädchen, which he does with comparable grace and intensity.