Violinist Emily Sun’s New Album, “Film Fantasia”

Released on ABC Classic, Sun performs with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and conductor Benjamin Northey on the album

The award-winning violinist Emily Sun has released her debut concerto album on ABC Classic, featuring concertos by Korngold and the Australian composer Elena Kats-Chernin, as well as John Williams’ beloved Theme from Schindler’s List. 

Korngold’s famed violin concerto was written in 1945 — since its first performance in 1947, the work has achieved popularity in the standard concerto repertoire. Korngold’s music was made famous through the Australian actor Erroll Flynn’s films, Another Dawn and The Prince and the Pauper. 

“Film Fantasia” also features the world premiere of Kats-Chernin’s new violin concerto Fantasie im Wintergarten. Based on a silent film, this concerto was written especially for Sun and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (ASO).

“For this concerto, I felt that I could build upon such contrasting themes as light and shadow, tango and chaos, showy or surreal atmosphere, yearning, lyrical or foreboding,” Kats-Chernin explained. “All those opposing or related themes would give Emily a great vehicle to showcase virtuosity, and edgy sounds, as well as heartbreakingly poetic suspended lines.” 

“I have always loved Elena’s music — there is something very honest and generous about the way that she connects with music,” Sun added. “Of course, as a violinist, there is no shortage of concertos, but I think it is very important that we are always playing and creating music that is relevant to us today, music that reflects our society and the world around us. I have no doubt that Elena Kats-Chernin’s new violin concerto will become a very important part of the violin repertoire.” 

To purchase and listen to the album, click here.

A video of Sun performing the Theme from Schindler’s List with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Benjamin Northey, can be viewed below. 

Sun is currently a professor of violin at London’s Royal College of Music, as well as an ambassador for the college. Her recent projects included solo performances with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra. 

Her other record releases will include concerto performances with the London Mozart Players and ASO also for ABC Classic.

Sun is also the recently appointed custodian of UKARIA’s “The Adelaide” violin crafted in Milan, Italy, in 1753–57 by Giovanni Battista Guadagnini.