In 27 Pieces: The Hilary Hahn Encores for Violin and Piano

Description

Ms. Hahn writes, “Every one of these encores was fresh, free of interpretive tradition, and each spoke a different language. My initial process was full of trial and error. I broke down techniques and phrases until I understood them on the most fundamental levels. Often, I was pushed well past my limits. As the music came into its own, however, the pieces metamorphosed into brilliant, powerful, scintillating, beautiful works of art. They compelled me to discover new layers of expression.”

In 27 Pieces: the Hilary Hahn Encores offers 27 works from 27 composers written for the 2013 recording of the same title. The sheet music has been personally edited by Hilary Hahn. Twenty-six composers of all ages and nationalities created pieces for the project, following Hahn's instruction. “I gave them two parameters: each piece should be under five minutes and for acoustic violin and piano.” Four hundred entries were submitted to a competition for the twenty-seventh encore, which Ms. Hahn selected through a blind review. Composer biographies and commentary about thier pieces are included.

“I was intrigued by the future of the genre and how composers might wish to redefine the form. When I pictured a novel set of favorite miniatures catching on – pieces crafted by today's minds – the idea of a commissioned-encores project planted itself in my head.”

Contents:
• Franghiz Ali-Zadeh (b. 1947) Impulse
• Somei Satoh (b. 1947) Bifü (Breeze)
• Du Yun (b. 1977) When a Tiger Meets a Rosa Rugosa
• David Lang (b. 1957) light moving
• Bun-Ching Lam (b. 1954) Solitude d'automne
• Paul Moravec (b. 1957) Blue Fiddle
• Antón García Abril (b. 1933) Tercer Suspiro (Third Sigh)
• Avner Dorman (b. 1975) Memory Games
• David Del Tredici (b. 1937) Farewell
• Mason Bates (b. 1977) Ford's Farm
• Einojuhani Rautavaara (1928-2016) Whispering
• Gillian Whitehead b. (1941) Törua
• Richard Barrett (b. 1959) shade
• Jennifer Higdon (b. 1962) Echo Dash
• Christos Hatzis (b. 1953) Coming To
• Jeff Myers (b. 1977) The Angry Birds of Kauai
• Mark-Anthony Turnage (b. 1960) Hilary's Hoedown
• Valentin Silvestrov (b. 1937) Two Pieces
• Kala Ramnath (b. 1967) Aalap and Tarana
• Lera Auerbach (b. 1973) Speak, Memory
• Tina Davidson (b. 1952) Blue Curve of the Earth
• Elliott Sharp (b. 1951) Storm of the Eye
• Michiru Oshima (b. 1961) Memories
• James Newton Howard (b. 1951) 133…At Least
• Nico Muhly (b. 1981) Two Voices
• Søren Nils Eichberg (b. 1973) Levitation
• Max Richter (b. 1966) Mercy