During Schubert's time, the piano duet was an indispensable medium for recreating orchestral works in private salons, aligning with the 'spiritual grace and friendly conversation' valued by Biedermeier culture.
Performer Biography
The Geister Duo, comprised of David Salmon and Manuel Vieillard, won first prize at the ARD Munich International Competition in 2021, a significant achievement for a piano duo.
Composer Biography
Schubert's early musical training took place at the Vienna Stadtkonvikt, a prestigious boarding school where he trained as a chorister and occasionally conducted the orchestra from his violin chair.
Instruments
The recording was made using a Steinway D piano, with tuning provided by Hervé Catin and Pierre Fenouillat.
Composition History
Schubert's works for four-hand piano were his most published genre during his lifetime, indicating their popularity with the Viennese public.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Franz Schubert, unlike Beethoven who wrote for posterity, composed for his present, with his circle of friends forming his primary audience.
Recording & Production
This recording is a co-production between Mirare and the Geister Duo, and was made at the Auditorium of the Opéra National de Bordeaux across several sessions in 2023 and 2024.
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