When Holger Falk won the prestigious Echo Klassik award in 2016, it was indicative of his talents that the award was given not for the Lieder repertory that one might have expected from a rising young German baritone, but for Erik Satie's mélodies and chansons. The magazine Opernwelt called Falk "one of the most intellectually and vocally the most flexible singer on German stages." Early in his career he landed roles at major European opera houses. He began to specialize in contemporary music, but has also performed Baroque works and has worked with historical-performance conductors. His first appearance was on a disc by his frequent piano collaborator Steffen Schleiermacher, devoted to the influence of Expressionist poet August Schramm. ~ James Manheim