Clara Robert Johannes

Each of the four double CDs is a musical story, an exploration, an experience to be enjoyed in one sitting if time allows. The symphonies mirror each other and serve as a kind of bookends, the songs and chamber music lead us into a tender, intimate world, and inspiring contemporary improvisations remind us that improvisation was the driving force behind the creativity of these great artists. In many ways, this repertoire is exactly right for our ensemble, which is modelled on a late classical, early romantic symphony orchestra. And indeed, this is precisely where these three phenomenal composers - Clara, Robert, Johannes - are to be found: as bridges between the classical and romantic period. On the one hand, they were deeply rooted in the philosophy, sensibility, instrumentation and musical architecture of the classical period. On the other hand, they strove to shape the sound of the future, a future that was invited by the power, passion and deep humanity of their great predecessor Beethoven. (Alexander Shelley)