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.