Brahms & Schumann: Lieder sees Dame Ann Murray, one of the great vocal artists of the past decades, return to the recording studio to perform a personal selection of Lieder.

Brahms & Schumann: Lieder , Murray's first solo album in over a decade, will be her final Lieder recording and a fitting way to draw her long and distinguished recording career to a close. Still a regular fixture on the opera circuit, Murray's voice remains impressive. Following a Brahms recital at Wigmore Hall in 2014, The Times stated: 'Her still-penetrating mezzo was the highlight of the evening. Murray really sings through Brahms's cantabile lines while losing nothing in theatrical awareness.'

It is difficult to imagine a singer who inspires greater affection and admiration than Ann Murray DBE. With Malcolm Martineau at the piano, this beautifully balanced programme sees Murray perform some of her favourite works by Schumann and Brahms. The recording also features Gramophone's 2016 'Young Artist of the Year' winner Benjamin Appl (baritone), John Mark Ainsley (tenor), Johnny Langridge (tenor & Ann's son) and Hester Dickson (piano & Malcolm's mother).

' ...You heard Schumann's Poems of Mary Stuart, with which Ann Murray so memorably begins her valedictory recital with pianist Malcolm Martineau...If this is to be Ann Murray's farewell to us it's a lovely way to do it .'
BBC Radio 3 'CD Review'