Violinist Danbi Um and Pianist Juho Pohjonen's New Album, "Poème Mystique"

Released on Avie Records, the disc covers works by Strauss, Bloch, Schubert, and Fauré

Korean-American violinist Danbi Um has recently released her second album, recorded alongside the Finnish pianist Juho Pohjonen. Titled Poème Mystique, the disc explores themes of art song, poetry, and spirituality through works by Strauss, Bloch, Schubert, and Fauré.

Two substantial sonata works are paired with two shorter works, originally written for the voice. Full of lyrical beauty and romance, Richard Strauss wrote his Violin Sonata in the year that he met his wife. Bloch's Poème Mystique, the titular work, explores more spiritual and mystical themes, working with material from his previous Jewish works as well as material from Gregorian chant and the ordinary of the Mass.

Fauré’s beloved Après un rêve (after a dream), is presented as a song without words in violin transcription. A further vocal arrangement is that of Schubert’s Ave Maria, likewise originally for voice and piano, presented here in an arrangement by August Wilhelm.

A Menuhin International Violin Competition Silver Medalist and winner of the prestigious 2018 Salon de Virtuosi Career Grant, Danbi Um's recent and upcoming engagements include appearances with the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia (Kimmel Center), Ridgewood Symphony, and her Washington D.C. recital debut at the Phillips Collection.

You can hear the duo playing Schubert's Ave Maria below.