Aber der Richtige...

Named after the heroine in Richard Strauss’ late opera, violinist Arabella Steinbacher has grown up with the composer’s music. And *Aber der Richtige…* (*And the right man for me…*) is a touching homage. Only one piece here—the youthful, Brahmsian Violin Concerto from 1882—was originally written for violin, but it’s the arrangements, of music for piano and cello alongside five of his songs, that really shine. They’re so magically scored and played that they could have been violin miniatures all along—Steinbacher’s sweet tone is perfect for Strauss’ melodic genius, in particular in the love songs “‘Zueignung” and “Cäcilie.” The ravishing duet from *Arabella* brings the sun down on this beautiful album.