With concerts in January in Ireland, Switzerland and the Netherlands, I am looking forward to sounding in the new year. ORIGIN was released in Spring 2016. It was a featured album on The Blue of the Night, one of Ireland's most beloved national radio shows, and it continues to meet the world in new ways. A limited-edition vinyl was released just last month.
On January 6, a deluxe, digital version of ORIGIN was released. It is available at Naxos, and digitally on most platforms.
I hope to see you at a performance and wish you a happy, peaceful New Year!
The past months have been a collection of some of the most intense, varied and nostalgic moments I've lived in recent years. This season challenged my skills as a musician, but also as a public speaker and educator.
When I accepted the invitation from TedX to be the keynote speaker in Bern, I made the decision to discuss an aspect of my life which I had not spoken about publicly, but one that affected aspects of my career. It had not been my initial intention to offer disclosure, but, as I conceived the speech and worked on it, I realized that I can describe best that which I have lived, and my experiences may, in turn, help or inspire others. I don't recall being as nervous for a performance as I was before taking the stage in Bern in October. I am humbled by the realization, time and again, that, as a musician, I am never done learning.
Below are some of the highlights that have taken place in my musical life these past few months — from concerts in South Korea to performances on live radio, from the release of the 2016 GAIA Music Festival Film to the impending issue of ORIGIN on limited-edition vinyl (including a bonus piece: Saint-Saëns' "Danse Macabre") in the coming weeks. There's more to look forward to in the new year — solo and chamber music concerts and a digital, deluxe version of ORIGIN.
I have been overwhelmed by the positive reception for my new album, ORIGIN. Since its release last month, ORIGIN has been featured on radio and television programmes throughout Europe. These include Dutch National broadcaster VPRO's Vrije Geluiden; Dutch radio AVROTROS; Ireland's National radio, Lyric FM; BBC; Swiss radio SRF 2 Kultur; and has been reviewed in Switzerland's daily paper, Berner Zeitung, and the monthly culture journal, Ensuite.
This is only the beginning. ORIGIN will continue to be received by listeners worldwide, and I am excited to discover your perspectives. More than anything, however, I hope that you find the music as thrilling, intense and joyous as the journey my students and I have had recording it.
Thank you for taking time and joining me for a departure from your day. I am thrilled, excited and overjoyed to share this news - my journey and these stories about music.
For over a decade, I have been absent from the world of recording. This has gone hand in hand with an unconditional search for my voice, for my spirit. The events that have shaped this last decade and the experience I garnered allowed me to develop a sense of profound gratitude – gratitude for the role of music in my life and for the life I lead as a musician and artist.
I believe that the music I perform goes beyond its genre. It is not just classical music, but autonomous music. More than an expression of my personality, it is an expression of my spirit. Thank you for years of support and encouragement. I look forward to sharing my passion for music and performance with you in the years to come.
