“When life itself seems lunatic, who knows where madness lies?”

Legendary pianist Glenn Gould hailed Berg’s darkly expressionist Piano Sonata as “among the most auspicious Opus Ones ever written.” Schumann’s Byron-inspired Overture to Manfred begins in gloom but soon rises to passionate energy. Plus, Richard Strauss’ musical portrayal of Cervantes’ sublime madman Don Quixote and his madcap adventures adds a rich vein of musical storytelling.