Hilary Hahn and Hauschka present an evening of improvisational music for violin and prepared piano, centered around their newly-released album Silfra on Tuesday, May 29 at the Neptune Theatre. For tickets and more details, visit the Seattle Theatre Group website.
A perennial favorite on the world’s most illustrious concert stages, renowned violinist Hilary Hahn‘s last visit to Seattle featured an appearance at Benaroya Hall, where she performed a recital featuring works by the classical masters: Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms. Hahn returns to Seattle next Tuesday, but this time she’ll be skipping Benaroya Hall and the Seattle Symphony altogether. Instead, she’s opted for a different sort of venue: the University District’s Neptune Theatre.
Hahn will appear at the Neptune alongside German multi-instrumetalist Hauschka, a genre-defying artist known for his whimsical, melancholic soundscapes that feature prepared piano. The duo is on tour together to promote their new album, Silfra, which was released this past Tuesday, May 22. Hauschka (whose real name is Volker Bertelmann) is notable musical figure in his own right, famous for his experimental tinkering with pianos. Following in the footsteps of John Cage, he brings a fresh, 21st century sound to his compositions, which blend beats and electronic sounds with the clinking, clattering melodies of his prepared pianos.
As one of the world’s most famous classical violinists, Hahn has a score of accomplishments under her belt. A child prodigy, she entered the international spotlight in her early teens, debuting with the major American orchestras and signing a recording contract with Sony Music. Since then, she’s carved out an illustrious career for herself, winning consistent praise and acclaim from audiences and critics alike. With so many opportunities to perform alongside the crème de la crème of the classical music world, it’s notable that Hahn has made time for side projects like her collaboration with Hauschka.
After years of trading ideas, Hahn and Hauschka met in an Icelandic recording studio last year to develop their shared musical vision. Silfra is the result of this collaborative experimentation. Highly improvisational, the album is an evocative blend of acoustic sounds that’s full of detail and nuance. Together, Hahn’s violin and Hauschka’s pianos create a landscape of flowing beats and repeating melodic fragments. Hahn leaves her classical playing style at the door, summoning growling, raw, and even scratchy tones that blend in perfectly with the musical surroundings.
Tuesday’s concert is a unique opportunity for classical music fans to hear a completely different side of Hahn’s musical personality. There’s also plenty to hear for followers of Hauschka’s extensive career. Silfra is one of his richest and most adventuresome releases to date. It’ll be a thrill to see these two masterful musicians meet on stage and experience their creations as they unfold in real time.