Along with Franz Liszt, Sigismund Thalberg was one of the most prominent piano virtuosos in the mid-19th century. Clara Schumann made a note in her diary at the beginning of February 1941: ‘Thalberg visited us on Monday and played absolutely delightfully on my pianoforte. His technique is faultless, and his pianistic effects impress the connoisseur. He doesn’t miss a single note, his scale passages may be compared with strings of pearls, his octaves are the most beautiful I have ever heard.’ Amo...