As a Lieder interpreter Holl divides opinion. There are those who consider him one of the most profound artists in this field, others who feel his monochrome delivery precludes the variety one expects in this repertory. The new CD tends to confirm the latter opinion, especially where the Schumann cycle is concerned. This work calls for much more light and shade than he can now provide and too often his efforts sound – well, effortful, which occasionally affects his pitch. Exceptions are the darker-hewn pieces “Auf einer Burg” and “Zwielicht”, the latter so full of fear and mistrust.

The Pfitzner group provokes a little more energy from Holl. In Brahms’s Vier ernste Gesänge he certainly realises the gravity and despair of the opening songs, the relief of the two later ones. But up against the benchmark reading by Hans Hotter (incidentally Holl’s teacher: EMI, 4/90) we look in vain for similar gifts in colouring words and giving emphases that turn a performance from good into great. Three Brahms encores follow, of which “Feldeinsamkeit” receives a fine performance, probably the most rewarding in the whole recital.