NEW RECORDINGS

Composer Anna Clyne and The Knights' Newest Album, "SHORTHAND"

August 29, 2024

4 MIN READ

Released on Sony Classical, the album brings together internationally acclaimed artists and presents a collection of Clyne’s compositions

GRAMMY-nominated composer Anna Clyne and orchestral collective The Knights, led by Eric Jacobsen, have released their new album, SHORTHAND. The digital release on Sony Classical features performances by soloists including mandolinist Avi Avital, violinists Colin Jacobsen and Pekka Kuusisto, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Available in Dolby Atmos format, it was recorded by close collaborator, GRAMMY Award-winning audio engineer Jody Elff.

The release brings together a host of internationally acclaimed artists and presents a collection of Clyne’s compositions, including its title track, Shorthand, for cello and string orchestra recorded with Yo-Yo Ma. With works spanning more than a decade, the album presents musical conversations between the soloists and the ensemble, as well as within the ensemble itself. Three Sisters is performed by its dedicatee mandolinist Avi Avital, and Clyne’s double violin concerto Prince of Clouds features violinists Colin Jacobsen and Pekka Kuusisto.

“Shorthand represents over two decades of artistic friendships and collaborations – each of the artists on this album has played an important part in our artistic lives," Anna Clyne and The Knights' Artistic Directors shared. "It has brought together so many creative spirits and it has been an honor to record these works with them all. Over the span of two years, starting at the Clark Art Institute in Massachusetts to Power Station Studios in New York City, we have come together to create this special album that we are excited to share with you.”

The album also features Clyne’s most personal work, Within Her Arms, written as a tribute to her late mother. Scored for 15 individual string parts, the music is shaped around a simple motif that grows and moves around the listener throughout the piece. The title is taken from a poem by the Vietnamese Buddhist monk and peace activist, Thich Nhat Hanh. The album also features the premiere recording of Shorthand (Redux), a reimagining of Clyne’s thoughtful work.

To purchase and listen to the full album, click here.

Watch the Music Video for Shorthand featuring Yo-Yo Ma and The Knights below

Composer Anna Clyne was named the world’s most-performed living female British composer in both 2022 and 2023 by Bachtrach. The 2024 season features major instrumentalists and orchestras presenting her music to audiences across the globe, with recent highlights including the world premiere of a new work for orchestra, voices, and electronics called The Gorgeous Nothings at the BBC Proms with the BBC Philharmonic (July 30, 2024), the world premiere of PALETTE – a Concerto for Augmented Orchestra by the St Louis Symphony Orchestra (February 14, 2025), and further performances of her new solo instrumental concertos across the world – Weathered for clarinetist Martin Fröst, Glasslands for saxophonist Jess Gillam, and Time and Tides for violinist Pekka Kuusisto.