Catalogue

Summary:

“technically assured, passionate, involved playing … there’s always a good feeling for the shape and direction of the melodic lines” - BBC Music magazine 

“utterly dazzling … a marvellous show of superb technique” – The Strad

“the works all showcase the violinist’s rich, singing tone, plasticity of phrasing, virtuoso technique, and the perhaps more elusive (at least in terms of describing it) quality of charm. Danbi Um possesses all these gifts, and she lavishes them upon the various pieces with impressive artistry, and keen enthusiasm.” – Fanfare

“mesmerizing grace” – New York Classical Review

One To Watch feature – Scala Radio, August 2023

“Her sound is all sorts of gorgeous. Her leaps on the G and E strings feel exhilarating. I listened once and immediately wanted to hear the disc again.” – American Record Guide

“This disc is a joy for the welcome surprise it brings, not only in its selection of pieces but Um’s crack performance.  The violinist’s playing is youthful, brimming with vitality, and a robust presentation.  Um has arrived.” – WMR

“a very attractive program … sweet tone and fervent feeling … stellar performances … brilliant” – Stringendo

Much Ado, the solo debut album by Korean-American violinist Danbi Um is as striking for the young musician’s choice of “old world” repertoire as her virtuoso interpretations and the sumptuous sound she draws from her 1683 “ex-Petschek” Nicolo Amati violin. Danbi conjures memories of a musical Golden Age, a sensibility instilled in her by a roster of internationally renowned tutors.

The title track by Eric Korngold’s Shakespeare-inspired suite sits alongside arrangements of works by fellow Austro-Germanic composers Fritz Kreisler and Richard Wagner. Hungarian gipsy music infuses compositions by Johannes Brahms, Jenő Hubay and Ernő Dohnányi, juxtaposed with music by Jewish composers Ernst Bloch, Joseph Achron and Leo Zeitlin.

A multiple award winner – Danbi has taken top prizes at the Yehudi Menuhin and Naumburg International Violin Competitions, and Astral Artists’ Auditions – she has been praised by The Strad as an “utterly dazzling” artist with a “marvelous show of superb technique.” A resident of New York City, Danbi performs regularly with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and further afield with the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Washington D.C.’s Phillips Collection, and the Rockport, Moab, Saratoga Performing Arts and Santa Fe Music Festivals.

Tracklist:

ERICH WOLFGANG KORNGOLD (1897–1957)
4 Pieces from the incidental music to Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing Op.11
(arranged by the composer)
1. I. The Maiden in the Bridal Chamber 2.55
2. II. Dogberry and Verges (March of the Watch) 2.05
3. III. Scene in the Garden 4.59
4. IV. Masquerade (Hornpipe) 2.02

RICHARD WAGNER (1813–1883)
5. Albumblatt in C WWV 94 (arr. August Wilhelmj) 4.19

JOHANNES BRAHMS (1833–1897)
6. Hungarian Dance No.17 (arr. Fritz Kreisler) 3:59

JENŐ HUBAY (1858–1937)
7. Scènes de la Csárda No.3 Op.18 ‘Maros vize’ 6:32

ERNŐ DOHNÁNYI (1877–1960)
Ruralia hungarica Op.32c
8. II. Andante rubato (Gypsy Andante) 5:26

JOSEPH ACHRON (1886–1943)
9. La Romanesca 3:29

LEO ZEITLIN (1884–1930)
10. Eli Zion (arr. Joseph Achron) 5:24

JOSEPH ACHRON
11. Hebrew Dance Op. 35, No. 1 6:06

ERNEST BLOCH (1880–1959)
12. Avodah 5:43

FRITZ KREISLER (1875–1962)
13. Viennese Rhapsodic Fantasietta 8:33

Danbi Um, violin
Amy Yang, piano

Recorded: Merkin Hall, Kaufman Music Center, 6, 7, 23 & 24 October 2020
Executive Producer: Eric Wen
Recording Producer and Mastering Engineer: Dennis Patterson
Recording Engineer: Lily Wen
Publishers: Schott Music (Korngold); Anton J. Benjamin / Simrock (Brahms/Kreisler);
Editio Musica Budapest (Dohnányi); Carl Fischer Music (Bloch · Kriesler)