Noble – A remarkable family legacy: the Széchényi family of counts played a decisive role across generations in Hungarian history. They moved in the highest circles of Europe and naturally fostered cultural exchange. Family members were themselves creatively active: from their extensive repertoire of poems and compositions, Katharina Ruckgaber and Tamás Egresi have curated a representative selection of songs, accompanied by Helmut Deutsch on piano.

Precious – In doing so, some surprising connections emerge: the 20-year-old Franz Schubert composed "Die abgeblühte Linde" and "Der Flug der Zeit" to texts by Lajos Széchényi. The fact that Lajos later became the person to whom Schubert's song 'Der Tod und das Mädchen' was dedicated speaks to the family's great esteem for cultural pursuits.

Enlightening – There are also curiosities included, such as a song by the merely 10-year-old Imre III Széchényi, who fought in World War I and died at just 23 from diphtheria. Franciska Széchényi, in turn, is regarded as Hungary's first female composer – this deeply devout woman left her mark primarily as a philanthropist.

Beautiful – Rudolf Marko, the recently deceased member of the family, wrote the poem "The Message of the White Horsewoman" about Franciska Széchényi's life, which Katharina Ruckgaber performs alternately with songs by Franciska. Though many compositions by the Széchényi family are now lost: this collection stands as an impressive testament to the diverse interests and talents of one of Europe's most important aristocratic families.