Both born in 1810, Schumann and Chopin nevertheless followed very different paths. One drew on literary and poetic sources and found inspiration in the turmoil of his own life; the other championed pure music and formal clarity. Schumann admired Chopin, while Chopin showed little more than polite indifference towards his contemporary's work. However, the Kreisleriana and Ballades brought together on this album share the same sense of fantasy and mystery, moving between impetuous outbursts, reverie and tenderness. Simon Burki embraces their enigmas with virtuosity and depth.
