Swiss pianist Simon Bürki is preparing to release a new album that brings together the music of two of the Romantic era’s most celebrated composers: Frédéric Chopin and Robert Schumann.
Titled Schumann: Kreisleriana / Chopin: Ballades, the album is scheduled for release on September 25, 2026, through Aparté. The recording features Schumann’s Kreisleriana, Op. 16 alongside Chopin’s four Ballades, creating a program that explores the expressive possibilities of the solo piano.
A Meeting of Chopin and Schumann
Chopin and Schumann were both born in 1810 and became defining figures of 19th-century Romantic music. Their approaches to composition were different, but both created piano works known for their emotional intensity, contrasting moods, and demanding performances.
Bürki’s new recording places their music side by side, allowing the listener to move from Schumann’s dramatic and imaginative Kreisleriana to Chopin’s four Ballades.
The result is a substantial piano program lasting approximately 68 minutes and consisting of 12 tracks.
“Ballade No. 3, Op. 47”
One of the pieces featured on the album is Chopin’s Ballade No. 3 in A-flat Major, Op. 47, a work that provides a particularly accessible introduction to Bürki’s interpretation.
The piece is also the recording highlighted by Bürki in his recent submission to Shindig Music. With its changing moods and intricate piano writing, the Ballade offers a glimpse into the larger artistic direction of the upcoming album.
For listeners discovering Bürki for the first time, the performance provides an opportunity to experience his approach to one of Chopin’s best-known piano works before exploring the complete recording.
From Switzerland to the International Stage
Bürki was born in St. Gallen, Switzerland, in 2000 and began studying piano at the age of five. His musical education later took him to institutions including the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory and The Juilliard School in New York, where he studied with pianist Sergei Babayan.
His career has included performances at major venues and festivals, as well as recognition at international piano competitions. His previous album, Reminiscence, was released in 2023 and featured works by composers including Rachmaninoff, Scriabin, Tchaikovsky, Liszt, and Schumann.
His latest project continues that connection with the Romantic repertoire while placing a particular emphasis on the musical worlds of Schumann and Chopin.
An Album for Classical Piano Listeners
With Schumann: Kreisleriana / Chopin: Ballades, Simon Bürki presents a recording centered entirely around the expressive possibilities of the piano.
The combination of Schumann’s Kreisleriana and Chopin’s Ballades makes the album particularly interesting for listeners who enjoy Romantic piano repertoire, while “Ballade No. 3, Op. 47” offers a natural starting point for those discovering Bürki’s work.
Schumann: Kreisleriana / Chopin: Ballades is set to arrive on September 25, 2026, marking the next chapter in Bürki’s developing recording career.
Artist: Simon Bürki
Album: Schumann: Kreisleriana / Chopin: Ballades
Release Date: September 25, 2026
Genre: Classical
Featured Work: Chopin — Ballade No. 3, Op. 47
Label: Aparté
