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On 7^th March, 2014, an extremely brave and unusual album for the discography industry has been released internationally. It has been entitled In 27 Pieces: the Hilary Hahn Encores, and it does not contain 27 known encores, but 27 contemporary compositions which were specially ordered for this project by Hilary Hahn, the most important American violinist.

In a world where no one takes risks with projects that may not appeal to a wide audience, Hilary Hahn has courage which should be simply appreciated. Of course, the fact that she represents a great name in the performing art was also an additional argument for the Deutsche Grammophon records house which made this double CD.

Hilary Hahn herself ordered 26 compositions from contemporary authors whom she appreciates, such as Einojuhani Rautavaara, Valentin Silvestrov and Max Richter. The story of the 27^th piece included on the album is a special one: Hilary Hahn started an online contest and received no less than 400 music scores from which she selected the composition of Jeff Myers, who lives in Hawaii. The piece is called the Angry Birds of Kauai.

The story behind the making of this unusual project of Hilary Hahn, America’s violinist, can be found, for example, on the website of the Vote the Best Classical Album of 2014 campaign, in a video footage where the main character is the very Hilary Hahn. You will see the beginning of the collaboration between Hilary Hahn and her album partner, Corey Smythe, a pianist specialized in contemporary music, with whom the violinist had never performed before. You will also see Hilary Hahn saying that her dream is to see that at least part of these compositions will be taken over by other violinists as encores in their recital repertoires or by the learning violinists – professionals or amateurs.

There is such a colourful world in Hilary Hahn’s encores – in the tempos, expressivity and inspiration. I have selected but a few.

Here is the list:

Jeff Myers – The Angry birds of Kauai

Somei Satoh – Bifu

David Lang (1957 - ) – Light moving

Antón García Abril – Third Sigh

David Del Tredici (1937 - ) – Farewell

Mason Bates – Ford’s Farm

Einojuhani Rautavaara (1928 - ) – Whispering

Jennifer Higdon (1962 - ) – Echo Dash

Christos Hatzis (1953 - ) – Coming to

Valentin Silvestrov – Two Pieces

Kala Ramnath – Aalap and Tarana

Tina Davidson – Blue Curve of the Earth

Michiru Ohshima – Memories

Max Richter (1966 - ) – Mercy

The album can be listened to on Radio Romania Music on Monday, 17^th March, starting at 19:00 and repeated on Sunday, 23^rd March, starting at 13:20.