Album DescriptionThis CD presents two highlights of the German Romantic repertoire, works written by Robert Schumann for his beloved wife Clara. The quintet, dedicated to Clara, and the canons were part of the permanent repertoire she played until the end of her career. Especially in the quintet, with its difficult and almost solistic piano part, Clara could show her extraordinary skills as one of the most famous pianists of her time. The canons for three hands were the result of Clara and Robert studying both counterpoint and fugues by Bach. During Mendelssohn?s visit to the Schumann household in Dresden in 1845, the couple played the pieces to the great joy of Bach?s re-discoverer. Op. 56 is one of Schumann?s most unknown compositions. This may be due to the fact that it was originally written for a pedal pianoforte, a specially prepared piano for practicing organ pieces. Federica Valli and Lorenzo Ghielmi have recorded Op. 56 on a special Graf pianoforte at the Villa Medici. La Gaia Scienza is a chamber ensemble that has made numerous acclaimed recordings on Winter & Winter, performing on historic instruments in a historic building. Keyboardist Lorenzo Ghielmi began his international career with Il Giardino Armonico.