A European Odyssey is the fruit of the London Schubert Players’ international project Invitation to Composers – one of the 87 selected from 296 by the European Commission in 2009 for its innovative, creative and educational profile. The two-year project challenged composers to write for specific instrumental combinations that were missing or seldom encountered in the chamber music repertoire. For some of these, they were asked to draw inspiration from masterworks of classical composers from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.

The London Schubert Players chamber orchestra was founded in 1989 by pianist Anda Anastasescu as the orchestra-in-residence of the French Institute in London. The Players’ concert tours in Europe, Asia and South America have been greeted with enthusiasm and critical acclaim. The London Schubert Players Trust promotes, maintains, improves and advances public education in classical music.

The RMA (Romanian Musical Adventure) was formed to record outstanding works by Romanian composers, new and lesser-known repertoire and well known repertoire interpreted in a fresh light.

“The importance of music in the cultural heritage of Europe cannot be overestimated. A European Odyssey taps into this wonderful tradition, making a serious and passionate contribution to its repertoire.” Pianist Anda Anastasescu, project and artistic director of the London Schubert Players.