"The most literary of composers" is how Hélène Grimaud defines Robert Schumann, and the extent of that literary engagement can be measured not only in his vast output of songs and choral and operatic works derived from Goethe, Byron and others, not to mention his own published writings on music and musicians, but also in the subtle way that inspiration from works of literature is threaded through his piano music. No work represents that element more cryptically than Kreisleriana.

Sandwiched between Kreisleriana and Brahms's Op. 32 set of lieder (in which Grimaud is partnered by sensational young baritone Konstantin Krimmel), are perhaps the most intimate pieces of music Brahms ever wrote, his three Intermezzi, Op. 117.

TRACKLISTING:

SCHUMANN: Kreisleriana

BRAHMS: 3 Intermezzi, Op. 117

BRAHMS: Lieder und Gesänge, Op. 32