OUT NOW | Anne Akiko Meyers' New Album "Shining Night"

 

Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers has today released a new album entitled "Shining Night." Alongside Meyers, the disc also features the Italian pianist Fabio Bidini and Grammy Award-winning guitarist Jason Vieaux.

The album's central work is by composer Morten Lauridsen entitled "Sure on this Shining Night." While the piece was originally scored for SATB choir, Lauridsen came up with a violin-piano arrangement specifically for Meyers.

The other repertoire on the release includes J.S. Bach’s famous Air on the G String, Corelli’s La Folia arranged for violin and guitar, Manuel Ponce's Estrellita (Little Star), Paganini's Cantabile, the Aria from Villa-Lobos’ Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5, and Piazzolla’s Histoire du Tango. Additionally, the 20th century is represented by arrangements of Duke Ellington’s (In My) Solitude and Elvis Presley's Can’t Help Falling in Love.

"It all started when I asked Morten Lauridsen if he had written any duos, and led to these arrangements, Sure on This Shining Night and Dirait-On," wrote Anne Akiko Meyers. "Shining Night is based on a poem by James Agee, and describes a man going on a walk and thinking back over his life."

"This collection of pieces that metaphorically begins in the morning and explores the vast musical history through Baroque, Romantic, Popular, and current genres," she added. "The common themes throughout the music reflect on one’s relationship with nature, love, and poetry. And how in dark and challenging times, kindness profoundly affects our souls and opens infinite possibilities when living our lives."

"This is dedicated to all the duos in the universe, including my Jason."

You can win one of five signed copies of the album by entering here.