Entitled “Chancellor and Pianist,” the CD comes out next week from Deutsche Gramaphone and Universal Music, in part to mark Schmidt’s 90th birthday in December.
It’s not the first time Schmidt has released a music CD, he’s also recorded Mozart and Bach performances.
The Social Democrat served as Chancellor from 1974, when he replaced Willy Brandt. In 1982, he was succeeded by Helmut Kohl. After leaving office, Schmidt went on to become co-publisher of the weekly newspaper Die Zeit.
Schmidt has been experiencing a revival in his popularity of late. His memoirs, “Outside of Duty” remains at the top of the German best-seller lists.