Jörg Widmann is not only a composer, but also a conductor and clarinet player. This portrait CD presents two works by the multi-talented musician, both of which are parts of longer cycles and combine (one or two) soloists with orchestral groups.

Polyphone Schatten ('Polyphonic Shadows'), from the 2001 cycle Lichtstudie ('Light Study'), is a synesthetic attempt to combine the musical phenomenon of polyphony with natural laws. The colours of the two solo instruments – viola (played by Christoph Desjardins) and clarinet (played by Jörg Widmann himself) – are contrasted and combined with atmospheric sounds from the orchestral groups.

Drittes Labyrinth ('Third Labyrinth'), composed from 2013-14, unleashes a mystifying, schizophrenic dialogue. The soprano soloist (Sarah Wegener) wanders through the concert hall in dialogue not only with the instrumental groups of the WDR Symphony Orchestra, but also with an imaginary partner. It is a journey to the inner worlds of the sounds themselves.