On 5th January 1848 Robert Schumann founded a mixed choral music society in Dresden, and started writing compositions for mixed chorus from March 1849. The idea of creating a new genre inspired the composer as well as his composing wife Clara. The compositions presented on this CD are mostly results of this creative period. Often ballads, they document a search for expression in relation to literary text, which can be seen as a phenomenon typical for this time.

The Sächsisches Vocalensemble was founded in Dresden in 1996 by Matthias Jung, and from day one attracted critical acclaim. These days, they often perform in broadcast concerts by the Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk and the Deutschland Radio Berlin.