Rightly associated with Schubert, whom she sings with relish, Dutch singer Ely Ameling also excelled in the Viennese classical repertoire which preceded and heralded the arrival of the German romantic Lied. This album, recorded with her collaborator Jörg Demus in Arnhem in Holland (undertaken as part of the complete recording of Hayden's melodies, now re-released by Pentatone), is published here in its original 1980 configuration. It is a real gem, a rare delight to listen do: we can only be seduced by the duo's perfect evenness; the great Viennese pianist Jörg Demus offers much more than a mere accompaniment, lending these precious little pieces a delicacy, a contemplative content and a sense of melancholy which are quite unexpected. We find ourselves part way between an aristocratic salon romance and the Lied. Elly Ameling's supple, seductive voice brings to these Canzonettas, written in English during Hayden's second stay in London, a particular charm; and gives us cause to regret the absence of these jewels from the current repertoire of song recitals. © François Hudry/Qobuz