“a star performer with a unique interpretation… in this impressive release. This disc is highly recommended.” – Kevin Sutton, MusicWebInternational.com

“truly impressive … Meyers is a genuinely unique voice among violinists …” ★★★★★ – Dave Lewis, AllMusic.com

East meets West: Japanese-American violinist Anne Akiko Meyers pairs the world of French music with contemporary Japanese works on her AVIE Records debut. Sonatas by the fathers of French impression – Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel – foreshadow Olivier Messiaen‘s Thème et variations, whose chordal structure evokes Toru Takemitsu‘s Distance de Fée. Anne gives the world premiere recording of Birds in Warped Time II by Japan’s most prominent living composer, Somei Satoh, whose work she is closely associated with, having also performed and recorded his Violin Concerto.

Newly reissued: repackaged artwork and remastered audio in HD stereo and Immersive Audio, we’re excited to be releasing this stunning programme on 180g Vinyl LP for the very first time.

“a star performer with a unique interpretation… in this impressive release. This disc is highly recommended.” – Kevin Sutton, MusicWebInternational.com

“truly impressive … Meyers is a genuinely unique voice among violinists …” ★★★★★ – Dave Lewis, AllMusic.com

East meets West: Japanese-American violinist Anne Akiko Meyers pairs the world of French music with contemporary Japanese works on her AVIE Records debut. Sonatas by the fathers of French impression – Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel – foreshadow Olivier Messiaen‘s Thème et variations, whose chordal structure evokes Toru Takemitsu‘s Distance de Fée. Anne gives the world premiere recording of Birds in Warped Time II by Japan’s most prominent living composer, Somei Satoh, whose work she is closely associated with, having also performed and recorded his Violin Concerto.

Newly reissued: repackaged artwork and remastered audio in HD stereo and Immersive Audio, we’re excited to be releasing this stunning programme on 180g Vinyl LP for the very first time.

Folklore takes the listener on a musical journey throughout 19^th and 20^th century France, Georgia, Hungary and Spain. Through different styles and soundscapes, the compositions are united by the spirit of folk traditions and national character, as well as personal memories of the performers – Swiss-French cellist Christoph Croisé and Georgian pianist Ana Bakradze. Works originally conceived for their instrumental combination sit alongside transcriptions that fit their sound world like a glove, a testament to the popularity of all the music on this album.

Siete Canciones populares Españolas, a set of seven traditional Spanish songs by Manuel de Falla, is his most-arranged composition and among his most popular. Béla Bartók’s Six Romanian Folk Dances, originally composed for solo piano, were drawn from melodies the composer recorded of folk musicians singing in the countryside of his Hungarian homeland. Hungarian influences infuse Pablo de Sarasate’s Zigeunerweisen (Gypsy Airs), originally scored for violin and orchestra. Sulkhan Tsintsadze’s Five Pieces on Georgian Folk Themes evoke childhood memories for pianist Ana, especially the fourth, a lullaby that her mother used to sing to her.

The most substantial work on the album, Robert Schumann’s Fünf Stücke im Volkston (Five Pieces in Folk Style) conjures the harmonies and rhythms of folk music.

French national character imbues Nadia Boulanger’s Trois pièces (Three Pieces) and works by her teacher Gabriel Fauré: his elegant Sicilienne – originally penned for orchestra but frequently adapted for cello and piano – and his ever-popular miniature ‘Après un rêve’ (After a dream) from his Trois Mélodies (Three Melodies).

When asked about their own connections to this music and what they wish for the listener, Christoph and Ana agree, “Above all, joy! We share a love for the roots in these pieces and the inspiration they provided to the composers. For this album, we’ve selected our favourite miniatures. Some are well known, others are more personal, but they all connect to the spirit of folk traditions in some way. It’s about the lasting pleasure of connecting through music we love.”