Steve Davislim, Simone Young - Seduction: Songs By Richard Strauss (2007)

Strauss was primarily a writer for the female voice, and a great many of his songs were tailored to his wife, Paulina, an accomplished opera singer (and apparently a handful). Every once in a while, however, we get to hear a sterling tenor voice in these ravishing melodies. With piano accompaniment, there's an award-winning recital from Jonas Kaufmann that helped to put him on the map. As far as orchestrated songs -- some transcribed by hands other than the composer's -- there are scant few by male singers; even Fischer-Dieskau hasn't made one. Historically, a little searching will unearth a handful of songs recorded by Peter Anders, with Furtwaangler no less, and Fritz Wunderlich. No doubt other collectors have their own favorites.

Now I can add this reissue of a 1999 recording from Austrailia with tenor Steve Davislim and conductor Simone Young. both have departed from down under to make notable careers in Europe. But the relative obscurity of young artists shouldn't be cause for low expectations. This is Strauss singing of the highest order. Young's conducting is assured, and she gets the best from her Victoria orchestra. The real star is Davislim, whose tone is as ringing and gorgeous as Heppner's -- well, almost. (The overall sound is actually closer to Jess Thomas.) He has real musicality and applies a range of emotion to songs that are too often spun out as threads of pure melody.