Virtuoso brilliance and lyrical poetry ‒ the formal structure of works for solo piano with orchestra by both Clara and Robert Schumann and Carl Reinecke captivate the listener on first hearing them. Yet the selection of works chosen by Andrea Kauten for this recording goes much further. The works by Clara and Robert Schumann may be seen as intentionally eloquent individual testimony to the biographical situation of their creators; a situation rare in itself, since the two composers made it their habit to make their spouse a dedicated gift on special personal occasions, resulting in works which feature quotations from the other’s works, variations and sometimes even lessons aimed at improvement. These works reveal to us two human beings who affirm their personal and artistic self-perception from the outset, whether in the early days of their first works, or then as young lovers, sending one another intimate messages in brief pieces, rich in content.

Together with the Southwest German Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Timo Handschuh, a wonderful CD has been created here.