Having discovered Chopin for yourself - that sounds like nothing unusual. It is more unusual, however, to discover Louis-Moreau Gottschalk, he is unknown to most and has written a very special kind of music. Reading Chopin's biography and Gottschalk's diary, I was surprised at the actual connection between the two, which, if you only know their music, is hard to imagine. Their life stories are at the same time full of contrasts and parallels. That's why I included these composers in one program. Chopin wrote revolutionary music that had its roots in Polish folk music, and that at a time when Europe was still looking for Beethoven. Gottschalk was also revolutionary, entering a world of music that was spurned, shaped by Creole and African-Caribbean rhythms. How were they able to reconcile everyday life and their genius? They did not become old. Chopin left the world at age 39, Gottschalk at age 40, both abroad. Discover this beautiful music, reflective of their extraordinary lives.

• Genre: Classical
• Label: MUSICAPHON