Bwv 992

According to pianist Nathanaël Gouin, there is in caprice a form of liberty devoid of heaviness. The fact that so many composers have taken an interest in this genre indicates a genuine liking for this liberty. Each one of them makes a mark on its identity in a profoundly different way, from Bach to Ohana. Using this idea, he was able to compose a programme of German, Russian and French music, whilst choosing works which embrace the spirit of the caprice and, more importantly, resembling him.

The thirty-five CDs that make up the present boxed set are designed to acquaint listeners with one of the most important pianists of the 20th century or, if they are already familiar with his work, to allow them to rediscover it anew. Wilhelm Kempff (1895-1991) was the final representative of the great tradition of German pianists that also included Artur Schnabel (1882-1951) and Wilhelm Backhaus (1884-1969). Of the three, Kempff had by far the longest career - he gave his last public concert in 1982.

The Brazilian pianist, Jean Louis Steuerman, was born in into a musical family. He began his studies at the age of four and made his debut with the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra when he was just fourteen (Rio de Janero, September 15, 1963). He first came to Europe after winning a scholarship to the Naples Conservatory in 1967. In 1972 he won the 2nd Prize at the J.S. Bach Competition in Leipzig and quickly gained recognition throughout Europe as a soloist and recitalist.