Schumann: Introduction & Allegro appassionato; Geistervariationen

To mark the 200th birthday of Robert Schumann in 2010, this recording includes a unique programme of the great German Romantic composer’s late piano works. This release also marks the 70th birthday of Christoph Eschenbach – one of the great musicians of our times. This recital features him both as pianist and as conductor, together with his long-time musical protégé and close friend, pianist Tzimon Barto. Together, they perform a new Schumann “piano concerto arrangement”: Eschenbach has coupled his elder compatriot’s concertante rarities Op. 92 and Op. 134, on the model of a three-movement piano concerto, in which the “Geistervariationen” for piano solo take the function of a slow middle movement.