For generations, the noble family of the House of Széchényi have played a decisive role in shaping Hungary's destiny. Katharina Ruckgaber and Tamás Egresi, accompanied by Helmut Deutsch, have compiled a representative selection of songs from the large repertoire of poems and compositions; an impressive testimony to the wide-ranging interests talents of one of Europe's most important aristocratic families.

The Széchényi family were ardent music lovers and socialised in the highest circles of Europe. They cultivated cultural exchange and were also creatively active themselves. Franz Schubert composed two songs to poems by Lajos Széchényi (1781-1855) at the age of 20. He later dedicated Death and the Maiden to Lajos showing his great appreciation for the family's commitments to arts and culture.

Franciska Széchényi (1783-1861) is regarded as Hungary's first woman composer. Katharina Ruckgaber performs her songs alternately with a fairy tale entitled The Message of the White Rider based on her life. Imre Széchényi III (1899-1922) was only 10 years old when he wrote his first opus 1. At 16 he fought in the First World War and at the age of 23 he died of diphtheria just shortly after he was wed.

Another branch of the family were the von Tascheks from Bohemia. Franziska von Taschek's (1857-1938) complete works are included here, saved by her granddaughter as she fled her home. All other works were lost as a result of the expulsion of German-speakers from Bohemia in 1945.