Like so many artists from north of the Alps, Wolf was lured by the Mediterranean south, an intoxicating world of light, sensual grace and intense, often violent emotions. His SpanischesLiederbuch of 1889–90, 34 settings of Iberian folk poems translated by Emanuel Geibel and Paul Heyse, is the finest fruit of a long-lasting fascination with Spain. In the sacred settings, Seefried brings her characteristic intensity as well as a guileless radiance. In the secular settings we get to experience the coquettish and mischievous side ofthe singer. From the same year (1959) we have a selection of Wolf’s Mörike settings.

As a rare pendant,Seefried performs Werner Egk’sQuattro canzoni, composed in 1932, after an Italian sojourn, and revised in 1955. In their florid virtuosity – uninhibitedly relished by Seefried – and popular dance rhythms, these four songs are a German’s tribute to Goethe’s ‘land when the lemon trees bloom’.

As for the entire series comprising eleven volumes, Richard Wigmore provides the insightful notes.

‘Seefried excels in the pert mockery of ‘Sagt, seidIhres’ and the exultant ‘MögenallebösenZungen’ […] Erik Werba is meticulous over every nuance – his accompaniments contribute most valuably to this disc’ Gramophone (SpanischesLiederbuch)