Birgit Remmert has made a fair number of well­received recordings‚ notably of Mahler (a Third Symphony with Sir Simon Rattle and the Schoenberg/Riehn contraction of Das Lied von der Erde with Philippe Herreweghe)‚ but this seems to be her first solo recital. She has an ample‚ bright­toned mezzo with an extended lower register‚ but was Strauss a wise choice for her solo début? Her readings are straightforward‚ even plain‚ which may please those who dislike histrionic ‘interpretation’. But either the colour of her lower voice or the keys she chooses darken several of these songs. The effect in Wie sollten wir geheim sie halten is rather strenuous (and she does sing with full voice much of the time) while in Schlagende Herzen it drives out most of the song’s humour and charm. Even when not using that darker register she finds hardly a trace of wit in Für fünfzehn Pfennige or even in Hat gesagt. Indeed‚ although she enunciates clearly‚ and always supports the words on a well­sustained line‚ she seems to have no particular feeling for them: nothing much is made of ‘only love is awake’ in Ständchen‚ and there is no hint of irony in Die Verschwiegenen. On the credit side‚ apart from her admirable pianist‚ the voice itself has effortless glamour‚ though if in this repertory she had used less of it and more of the quiet‚ floated quality of which she is perfectly capable I should have been grateful. I wonder what Lieder would suit her? As it is‚ there is a lot of promise here‚ but not much insight or individuality.