New Suzuki Violin School Recordings Feature Violinist Hilary Hahn
Violin Superstar Hilary Hahn is featured on the official new recordings for the Suzuki Violin School books, Volumes 1-3 with pianist Natalie Zhu.
Violinist Hilary Hahn. Photo by Dana van Leeuwen.
On Wednesday Alfred Music, in conjunction with the International Suzuki Association, announced the release of the recordings, which will be available spring 2020.
The recordings provide an alternative to the longstanding recordings by violinist William Preucil Jr., who was fired in 2018 as concertmaster of the Cleveland Orchestra after an investigation that found evidence of sexual misconduct. In the ensuing developments, Preucil, Jr. was removed as an honorary board member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas, and the International Suzuki Association and Alfred commissioned new recordings of the Suzuki Violin School books.
"I was delighted to be asked to record Suzuki violin Books, 1–3," Hahn said in a statement. "During the sessions, I thought about the current and future students, their parents and teachers who would hear these recordings. I’m moved to be part of their experiences with the violin. These pieces were played with love and care, and I hope Suzuki violinists will enjoy listening to this music every day."
The ISA Violin Committee said that it was "grateful to Hilary for her exacting standards during the recording sessions. She brought tremendous energy, artistry, and dedication to bear in all aspects of this recording. Hilary expressed many times to the Committee her delight in revisiting these pieces from her childhood, and the opportunity to make a lasting contribution to the world-wide Suzuki community. These are recordings that students, parents, and teachers will enjoy listening to for years to come."
The new recordings will replace all existing ones associated with the Suzuki Violin School International Editions, available as: Violin Part Book, Piano Accompaniment Book, Violin Part Book & CD, and CD only. Listening tracks that include violin and piano appear first on the CD followed by piano accompaniment only tracks for play-along purposes. Upon release, recordings will also be available for teaching and practice purposes on SmartMusic.
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Replies
This looks like a wonderful idea. I salute Hilary Hahn for her continuing and dedicated work with classical pieces, new music, and music education.
James she probably pounded these out between brunch and afternoon tea. Not much of a commitment or derailment of bigger projects.
Seriously great news. Hilary is the perfect choice to replace the old recordings. I can’t wait to hear them.
Woah beginners will be so depressed to hear that amazing tone
I sure hope they’ll be available on YouTube and Spotify. Parents and kids of today can’t be bothered to seek other listening sources.
What a beautiful choice, in so many ways.
Hilary is a fantastic choice for a number of reasons! We know her tone will be to die for. She will also bring her enthusiasm to the process. Best of all to my mind, is that it will be such a useful tool to rebut the sad snobs who have for so many years constantly claimed that no 'real' virtuoso violinist came out of Suzuki! Hilary has never hidden that she started in Suzuki.
Also, shrewd of them to select a woman this time around.
I am excited to receive this news, especially since Hilary started in the Suzuki Method, and look forward to the recordings being available.
Does anyone even still use CD's?
Dang it. I just bought books 1,2,3 with the CDs. Would have waited had I known! Hilary is awesome.
I was SO excited to hear this news. I hope there will be an option to digitally download through Apple Music and/or Spotify — we have had trouble listening lately because we do not own a CD player.
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February 5, 2020 at 08:34 PM · That's fine and all...what about the 6 Ysaye Sonatas? When's that recording coming? I find it hard to believe that that set of recordings would be a tougher sell than the Garcia recordings or the 27 encore pieces recording.