Miniatures

With Miniatures, clarinetist Anastasia Schmidlin and pianist Denis Zhdanov present a colourful and varied programme exploring the musical landscapes of 20th-century Europe.

Works from Russia, France, Switzerland, Great Britain and Poland come together in a chamber music programme of poetic miniatures, dances and impressionistic soundscapes.

The album opens with scenes from Sergei Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet, arranged for clarinet and piano. Germaine Tailleferre’s La nouvelle Cythère brings an imaginative island world full of wit and elegance, followed by the lyrical Andante by Othmar Schoeck and Joseph Horovitz’s Two Majorcan Pieces, with their Mediterranean character and playful spirit.

The programme continues with Krzysztof Penderecki’s Three Miniatures and concludes with Witold Lutosławski’s Dance Preludes, a vibrant work combining rhythmic energy, folk influences and compositional sophistication.

Miniatures brings together virtuosity, expressive colour and musical imagination in an engaging journey through European chamber music of the 20th century.

Artists: Anastasia Schmidlin, clarinet; Denis Zhdanov, piano.
Label: Prospero Classical
Release date: 19 December 2025
Format: Digital release
Main Composers: Sergei Prokofiev, Othmar Schoeck, Germaine Tailleferre, Krzysztof Penderecki, Witold Lutosławski
Recording Producers: Philipp Schmidlin, Denis Zhdanov, Anastasia Schmidlin Mastering: Anton Vertipolokh
Executive Producer: Martin Korn Cover Design: Christine Schweitzer
Product Number: PROSP10672 EAN/UPC: 199538310672
Genres and Styles: 20th-Century Music, Chamber Music, Clarinet, Contemporary Music, Piano, Romantic Music, Swiss Music