Regarded as a first-rate but tragically neglected composer of Lieder, Erich J. Wolff has, until recently, only been familiar to a small number of music enthusiasts. The beautiful 1909 song cycle Neun Gedichte, set to texts by the composer’s close friend Cäsar Flaischlen, is notable for its juxtaposition of rapture, joy and fear. Amongst the numerous profound, dignified and sublime settings on this album the Hafis Lieder represent a multi-faceted and oriental flavoured sequence, ranging from calm sadness and defiant heroism to a rapturous conclusion.