Chopin's Préludes Op. 28, like Bach's Well-tempered Clavier, go through all 24 major and minor keys, but Chopin's are arranged by the circle of fifths, with major keys immediately followed by their parallel minor.
Composition History
Schumann's Kreisleriana Op. 16 was originally intended to be dedicated to Clara Wieck, his future wife, but she distanced herself from this intention, fearing it would worsen her relationship with her father.
Composer's Artistic Vision
A fundamental difference between Robert Schumann and Frédéric Chopin was that Schumann had literary talent and was open to poetic interpretations, while Chopin was more of a 'pure musician'.
Composition History
Robert Schumann borrowed the title 'Kreisleriana' for his piano fantasies from the Romantic poet E.T.A. Hoffmann, who created the fictitious conductor Johannes Kreisler.
Composition History
Frédéric Chopin dedicated his Ballade No. 2 in F major op. 38 to Robert Schumann as a reply to Schumann dedicating his Kreisleriana op. 16 to Chopin.
Composer Biography
Robert Schumann, a composer featured on this album, praised Frédéric Chopin's Variations on a Theme by Mozart in 1831 with the words 'Hats off, gentlemen: a genius'.
Performer Biography
Chi Ho Han, the pianist on this album, won the ARD International Music competition in Munich in 2014, where he also received all special prizes, including the Audience Award.
