During his lifetime, Ignaz Moscheles (1794-1870) was one of the most celebrated pianists and he was internationally famous for his educational achievements. As a friend and confidant of Felix Mendelssohn, it was also a matter of course for him to deal with the music of Johann Sebastian Bach, whereby the arrangements for violoncello and piano of ten preludes from the well-tempered piano emerged. His chamber music work is now almost forgotten in comparison to his piano compositions. One more reason for Niklas Schmidt and Stepan Simonian, to give them again the necessary musical attention.

Founded in 2010 by cellist Niklas Schmidt, "Fontenay Classics International" stands for fine chamber music, superior sound and exquisite design. FCI presents both young ensembles as well as recordings of Mr. Schmidt himself. Cellist Niklas Schmidt has, for decades, performed in major concert halls worldwide. Apart from solo concerts, he performs with various chamber music ensembles as well as with renowned partners. On this recording featuring the Cello Sonatas of Richard Strauss and Sergei Rachmaninov, Niklas Schmidt is accompanied by prizewinning pianist John Chen.

The young Chinese pianist Jingge Yan is known for his intellectual profundity and the expressive vitality of his piano performance. His beautiful and philosophical interpretation of Beethoven's piano works has been greatly praised all over the world. In 2015, Jingge Yan was entitled the first 'Beethoven Ambassador' by the city Bonn and has been since then a dedicated leading musician for the music education for the youth and artistic communication between Europe and China. Since 2016 he has been pursuing an ambitious project: the complete recording of the piano sonatas, of which the third episode is now being released here. Jingge Yan, born in Beijing in 1986, had his first piano lessons at the age of four. From 2007 to 2011 he studied at the Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio (USA) with Prof. Peter Takacs and graduated with a Bachelor's degree for piano and organ. At present he is continuing his studies at the Mozarteum in Salzburg with Prof. Pavel Gililov.

Founded in 2010 by cellist Niklas Schmidt, "Fontenay Classics International" stands for fine chamber music, superior sound and exquisite design. FCI presents both young ensembles as well as recordings of Mr. Schmidt himself. The Saguaro Piano Trio was founded in January 2007 at the Colburn Conservatory of Los Angeles. Since May 2008, the musicians have called attention to themselves by winning prizes at competitions in the U.S. and Japan. The young Piano Trio plays three Piano Trios from three periods by Joseph Haydn, Arno Babajanian (1921-83) and Maurice Ravel.

There is a certain time for everything in life. And while we have all the time in our lives to become familiar with and play Johann Sebastian Bach's six suites for unaccompanied cello, there is only a very limited amount of time to record them. (Niklas Schmidt) Encouraged by his recording producer, Niklas Schmidt recorded the remaining suites II, IV and V in a space with an especially fine sound: the Andreas-Kirche church in Berlin Wannsee. For Schmidt this is not just any album, but the completion of a lifelong dream.

Founded in 2010 by cellist Niklas Schmidt, "Fontenay Classics International" stands for fine chamber music, superior sound and exquisite design. FCI presents both young ensembles as well as recordings of Mr. Schmidt himself. Formed in 2005, and winners of several competitions, the Arcadia Quartet is establishing itself as one of the most exciting string quartets of their generation. Here they present Mendelssohn’s String Quartet a minor op. 13 and Brahms’ String Quartet a minor op. 51/2. “…exceptional sonority…impressive expressive power” – Ensemble Magazin

Founded in 2010 by cellist Niklas Schmidt, "Fontenay Classics International" stands for fine chamber music, superior sound and exquisite design. FCI presents both young ensembles as well as recordings of Mr. Schmidt himself. Mostly first-time recordings, this disc offers much material for further musicological research and discussion. Text clouds surround the individual interpretations, as is the performers’ practice during staged recitals; the music can thus be enjoyed and analyzed in the company of introductory accounts of these great artists and their circles of friends.

Founded in 2010 by cellist Niklas Schmidt, "Fontenay Classics International" stands for fine chamber music, superior sound and exquisite design. FCI presents both young ensembles as well as recordings of Mr. Schmidt himself. Alongside the Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin (BWV1001–1006) Bach’s six Suites for solo cello (BWV 1007–1012) rank among the crown jewels of string instrument literature. On this new recording, renowned cellist and label founder Niklas Schmidt offers his interpretations of these timeless masterpieces.

Founded in 2010 by cellist Niklas Schmidt, "Fontenay Classics International" stands for fine chamber music, superior sound and exquisite design. FCI presents both young ensembles as well as recordings of Mr. Schmidt himself. The Cavaleri Quartet trained at the RCM, London. Its mentors include the Alban Berg, Brodsky and Chilingirian Quartets. Winning 1st prize as well as the Mendelssohn Award of the Oscar and Vera Ritter Foundation at the ICMC Hamburg, 2012 marks the Cavaleri Quartet’s most recent career success. Here they present two quartets perched between tradition and departure.

Founded in 2010 by cellist Niklas Schmidt, "Fontenay Classics International" stands for fine chamber music, superior sound and exquisite design. FCI presents both young ensembles as well as recordings of Mr. Schmidt himself. Named after the Greek God of the East Wind, the Evrus Trio was founded in 2000 by three young musicians. The Evrus Trio’s ambitious tour schedule has earned them acclaim from audiences and critics alike. On their debut CD they present Tchaikovsky’s expansive Piano Trio in a, op. 50 and Shostakovich’s youthful, single movement Piano Trio in C, op. 8.

Founded in 2010 by cellist Niklas Schmidt, "Fontenay Classics International" stands for fine chamber music, superior sound and exquisite design. FCI presents both young ensembles as well as recordings of Mr. Schmidt himself. This CD holds suggestions of opera, oratorio and, in some respects, even Lied. In addition to Beethoven’s three Variation works for Cello and Piano is Schubert’s Sonata in a, D821 (“Arpeggione”), a work that ranks among the masterpieces of romantic sonata literature for string players. Cellist and label founder Niklas Schmidt and pianist John Chen perform.

Founded in 2010 by cellist Niklas Schmidt, "Fontenay Classics International" stands for fine chamber music, superior sound and exquisite design. FCI presents both young ensembles as well as recordings of Mr. Schmidt himself. Two chamber musicians of high caliber joined to form El Duo: the violinist Michael Kibardin and the pianist Stephan Simonian. Having successfully participated in numerous international competitions, today both artists perform as soloist worldwide. On this recording they presents Sonatas for Violin and Piano by Mendelssohn and Schumann.