This complete recording of Franz Liszt’s Petrarch Sonnets, performed by baritone Andrè Schuen and pianist Daniel Heide, attempts to highlight the significance of his different versions of the three Sonnets 47, 109 and 123 – possibly for the first time on CD.

Musicologists are baffled by the fact that Liszt wrote several versions of the same works. He even set the same texts to different music: not twice, but occasionally three or more times – an absolute exception in the history of music. This is both bewildering and rewarding: Liszt aficionados can embark on a treasure hunt through the scores.

Concert podium highlights in Schuen’s career have included appearances with the Berlin Philharmonic under Simon Rattle, with the Cologne WDR Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jukka-Pekka Saraste, with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Daniel Harding, and with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Andris Nelsons. Schuen has performed in Salzburg since 2010, first as a member of the Young Singers Project and subsequently in various productions at the Salzburg Festival conducted by Simon Rattle and Riccardo Muti.

Born in Weimar, pianist Daniel Heide is one of the most sought-after vocal accompanists and chamber musicians of his generation. He performs in recital series and festivals all over Europe as well as in Asia. In addition to his ongoing collaboration with vocalists including Andrè Schuen, Christoph Prégardien, Simone Kermes, Ingeborg Danz, Britta Schwarz, Roman Trekel, and Tobias Berndt, he has also accompanied lieder recitals with renowned singers such as Regula Mühlemann, Fatma Said, Benjamin Appl, Sheva Tehoval and Dietrich Henschel.

Daniel Heide is the founder and artistic director of the vocal recital series Der lyrische Salon. Held in Ettersburg Castle near Weimar, the series has existed since 2011 and is one of the few – anywhere in the world – that is devoted exclusively to artsong. In that context he has collaborated with a great number of celebrated soloists of the lied genre in over 60 recitals.