Robert Schumann was one of the first to recognize Niccolò Paganini not only as a «demonic virtuoso» but also as a poetic composer. After having heard Paganini in Frankfurt in 1830 he immediately set out to write a piano fantasy on a theme by the composer-virtuoso – the spell that Paganini had cast on Schumann would remain throughout his life.

In his last years Schumann wrote a piano accompaniment to Paganini’s masterpiece for solo violin, the 24 Caprices, Op. 1, a kind of compendium of all of the «devilish violinist’s» secrets. Schumann’s masterful accompaniment does not distract from Paganini’s masterpiece, rather, it seems to always illuminate the true poetry of each piece.

Claves presents the World Premiere Recording of this unique composition by two giants from the Romantic period, performed by the young German violin virtuoso Ingolf Turban and the Swiss pianist Giovanni Bria.