The preparations for our 30th anniversary had an influence on our choice of the next Key Recording. Our recording of Schubert’s «Winterreise» [winter journey] was made in 1980 and represents a landmark in Claves’ history. Although one of the most frequently recorded song cycles, the interpretation by Ernst Haefliger and Jörg Ewald Dähler for Claves quickly earned a place of honor among the numerous other recordings and is now considered by many as the recording of Schubert’s masterpiece against which all others are measured. Haefliger and Dähler also performed numerous concerts together at this time, and their performances of the «Winterreise» formed one of the high points of their careers. The recording was awarded the celebrated «Prix Mondial du Disque de Montreux» in 1981.

«This prize (Prix Mondial du Disque de Montreux) was completely merited, believe me. The interpretations are marked by a modesty and lack of pretension that is matched by a profound understanding of this work.» (Monde et Vie, Paris)

«The two musicians join and become one! They are a unity of expression that gives shape to the «Winter Journey», but a shape that has an infinite number of facets. The piano part is performed with the utmost subtlety, the accompaniment masterfully follows the singer. One would like to speak of a historic document when holding this interpretation in one’s hands.» (Peter Mieg, Badener Tagblatt)

The new cover of the «Winterreise» features a detail from a painting by Klimt, here depicted next to the other recordings by the same artists of Schubert’s music.