Pianist Joseph Middleton series celebrating the glories of Richard Strauss's songs reaches its conclusion today. Recorded in 2019 at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and introduced by Petroc Trelawny, soprano Carolyn Sampson performs Strauss's celebrated Four Last Songs alongside his remarkable Ophelia songs, and some moving early songs by Arnold Schoenberg and Alban Berg.

Richard Strauss: Drei Lieder der Ophelia, Op.67
Wie erkenn ich mein Treulieb
Guten Morgen, 's ist Sankt Valentinstag
Sie trugen ihn auf der Bahre bloss

Schoenberg: Opus 2
Erwartung
Schenk mir deinen goldenen Kamm
Erhebung
Waldsonne

Berg: Sieben Fruhe Lieder (excerpt)
Nacht
Schilflied

Richard Strauss: Vier Letzte Lieder
Fruhling
September
Beim Schlafengehen
Im Abendrot

Carolyn Sampson, soprano
Joseph Middleton, piano

Produced by Johannah Smith, BBC Wales Show less