This recital marks an impressive development in Michael Schade's art, but it's of a kind that has to be welcomed with a caution. From memories of his song recitals in London, it seems that the capacity to command and hold attention has increased almost beyond recognition. Yet this new expressiveness has brought its well-known negative complement of disruption to the singing-line.

The opening number, Beethoven's Adelaide, illustrates the classic dilemma. The equably flowing melody is not bland, yet a singer who fails to feel genuinely the beauty of it can make it sound so. How much 'expression' is needful then to show the feeling that lies within? Schade takes every opportunity to bring variety in response to words, modulations, rhythmic developments, growth or diminution of fervour and excitement; and all of this is done in a series of tonal and dynamic adjustments that do indeed communicate meaning and emotion but leave the listener in possession of fragmented melody, presented also with a musical-dramatic sensibility that runs with an excess of Romantic freedom to the extremes of serenity and fervour. It's a difficult one: I value the exploration of the music and poetry, but don't want it to be at the expense of the singer's more fundamental art - of singing beautifully. It should be possible to integrate these two functions, but I don't think Schade does. Even in terms of tone there is too great a disparity between the light, rather anaemic tone of the soft opening and the bright hard edge of the forte.

Yet, as I say, this is singing which is always alive, interesting and personal. Over the widely ranging programme nothing is inert or routine. The Schubert includes some difficult selections (Laura am Klavier especially). The Liszt sonnets present challenges to the voice, and they are met with ample resources. In Ravel's Greek songs he catches each mood and finds a tone to match. His French is as good as his German, and both Strauss and Fauré seem native to him. Malcolm Martineau is adept as the singer and he also brings a personal touch to everything in turn. It's a fascinating record.