Album insights
Hilary Hahn, a triple Grammy winner, has released her new recording of Eugène Ysaÿe's six sonatas for solo violin, Op. 27. Ysaÿe, inspired by J.S. Bach, penned the first of a series of six sonatas in June 1923. Exactly a century later, Hahn, renowned as "one of the most important violinists of our time" (The New York Times), has taken on this cycle, motivated by the approaching 100th anniversary. Expressing her awe at being part of this musical lineage, Hahn reflects, "Twenty years ago, these pieces felt somewhat alien to me, containing secrets I thought I would never unveil. But now, I feel I can play these sonatas in his spirit while remaining true to myself." Eugène Ysaÿe (1858-1931), widely recognized as one of the first modern violinists, set enduring technical and artistic standards for his instrument. The likes of Franck, Debussy, and Chausson composed significant works for him, and in the last decade of his life, Ysaÿe turned his focus to composition after hearing Hungarian virtuoso Joseph Szigeti perform Bach's solo violin Partitas and Sonatas. Hahn succinctly captures their significance as "legendary, shaping generations of violinists and paying a wonderful tribute to the instrument."