Songs of Robert Schumann 5
Graham Johnson'scomplete Schubert song marathonfor Hyperion reached the finishing post recently, but for anyone suffering withdrawal symptoms, the award-winning Schumann song series goes from strength to strength and now  reaches its fifth volume with this fine program featuring the warmly lyrical baritone of Christopher Maltman, winner of the Lieder prize at the 1997 Cardiff Singer of the World competition. This disc is devoted to settings of Heine, and on the way to the celebratedDichterliebethere are 20 songs, including four by Schumann's wife, Clara. There are so many delights to be found here, and the combination of a beautiful voice, Johnson's superbly sensitive playing, and the intimacy of Hyperion's benchmark recorded sound must surely propel this toward an awards ceremony or two. As usual, the disc comes with scholarly but completely accessible notes by Johnson. Sometimes it takes longer to read the notes than listen to the song, but it is always worth it--Johnson's insight is constantly illuminating. TheDichterliebecycle is an intimate, deeply felt performance, winningly understated, and a great tribute to the intelligent musicality of both performers. It concludes a disc that absolutely bursts with goodies--77 minutes of bliss.--Keith Clarke