Expertly accompanied by Phyllis Spurr . . . the lovelorn Margaret in "Gretchen am Spinnrade" and the tragic girl in "Die junge Nonne" are each subtly and distinctly drawn, while "An die Musik" is an outpouring of golden sound. In a rare and welcome escape from serious music, Ferrier's vivacious personality and sense of fun brilliantly enliven the fourth song, "Der Musensohn". Within perfect phrasing, finely poised tone is scrupulously shaded to each line of Goethe's poem about the mischievous son of the Muses gambolling through the countryside and playing tricks on young villagers. The brief finale in which the scamp remembers his own home and lover is exquisitely fashioned to complete two minutes of pure joy.