Julian Riem is a pianist noted for his elegance, spirited playing, and striking virtuosity. Numerous chamber music recordings attest to his versatility. Now the Echo award-winner is presenting his first solo CD, which features genuine rarities: the etudes of Claude Debussy and Karol Szymanowski represent the pianistic high points in the careers of two geniuses, who experiment here with the technical possibilities of the instrument and interpreter alike. Both composers wrote these cycles during the First World War, finding a highly personal form of expression in the process. Here the legacy of Chopin merges with the dawn of modernism. With his depth, evocative playing, and brilliant tonal nuances, Riem leads us on a true journey of discovery.