Wolf’s early songs have been unduly neglected though Fischer-Dieskau – who else? – uncovered some of them in a late recital on Claves. Setting in turn Lenau, Heine, Eichendorff and Reinick, inspiration for so many Lieder composers, Wolf seems to have based his style, at this time, on Schumann and to a lesser extent Brahms. Apart from influences, almost all these songs are a delight in themselves, requiring no need for comparisons, odious or otherwise.
Wolf is not yet the wholly original composer of his master-songs written from 1888 onwards, but his unerring ability to distil the core of the poems of the romantic writers he was setting is already there for all to hear; so too are his innate gift for lyrical melody, attractively fashioned piano parts and subtle harmony. These attributes inform almost all these pieces. “Meine Liebchen, wir sassen beisammen” from the Liederstrauss Heine settings, is typical with its rippling accompaniment and well-defined vocal line. Another song from the same group, “Es blasen die blau’n Husaren” looks forward in its march-like rhythm to later attempts in this manner. The Eichendorff setting, In der Fremde, pre-echoes even more significantly mature Wolf, while the Eichendorff “Die Nacht” and the haunting Nachruf are songs to savour by any yardstick.
Even so, it is the six Reinick settings of 1882-3 that bring the greatest rewards, every one a miniature to cherish and, as the anonymous note-writer rightly comments, “revealing a charm and tenderness that shows us the kinder side of Wolf’s personality”. Among them “Nachtgruss” and “Fruhlingsglocken” demand repeated hearing, particularly when sung in the light, plangent tenor of Nico van der Meel. His may be a slightly dry, monochrome voice but after a while the almost vulnerable sound of his tone becomes an asset in these sorts of pieces, to which he also brings high intelligence and a keen ear for verbal nuance. Dido Keuning, perfectly balanced with van der Meel in an excellent recording, completes pleasure in a disc that lovers of Lieder should not overlook.'