DISCOGRAPHY
Solitude
Out now on Rubicon Classics
Joo Yeon Sir writes in the booklet to her solo recital album ‘Solitude’, ‘Solitude was the state I found myself in along with the rest of the world in 2020. Concerts were suddenly postponed…and I was left eerily by myself at home’. When, the following year, and the time had come to record the album, Lockdown was reinstated.
Joo Yeon used this period of self-reflection, to discover new works for solo violin, and to re-visit solo repertoire that were firm favourites. Walking through strangely empty streets to the first recording session with her violin was a combination of raw emotion and loneliness, together with the familiarity of going to work with her instrument. The experience of playing became far more intense. Solitude is a musical time capsule of an artist alone, overcoming the shock of being deprived of audiences, the company of fellow musicians and finding solace in the music for solo violin.
Chaconnes, Divertimento & Rhapsodies
Chaconnes, Divertimento & Rhapsodies is inspired by the close working relationships between composers and virtuoso violinists from the eighteenth century to the twentieth. Each piece owes a debt to earlier music, such as folk melodies and Baroque variations.
‘it's a well-programmed tribute…lovely playing...it's the kind of imaginative album a new generation of young classical performers is creating’ said BBC Radio 3 Record Review. ‘…and the sequel is just as artfully conceived.’ BBC Music Magazine.
Cantata Memoria - For the Children
‘Cantata Memoria’ commemorates through new music the Aberfan tragedy of 21 October 1966, when 116 children and 28 adults tragically lost their lives as a coal tip engulfed Pantglas Junior School, together with some houses, in Aberfan, South Wales.
Suites & Fantasies
A dazzling debut. This young player melds technical assurance with rare artistic sensibility in this showcase album’ said The Observer . ‘Joo Yeon Sir is impressive’ BBC Music Magazine. ‘Joo Yeon Sir is truly a class act’ Classical Ear.