From the moment the Ahn Trio stepped onto the international music scene stage, they have defied categorization, broken musical barriers and revolutionized perceptions of classical music. They have become leaders in diversifying classical music in the 21st Century. Their trend-setting legacy continues with their fifth recording, Lullaby for my Favorite Insomnia, their debut CD on SONY BMG Masterworks (RCA Red Seal).
Korean-born and Juilliard-trained, the Ahns are sisters--violinist Angella, pianist Lucia and cellist Maria. The trio builds bridges between diverse musical genres and transcends any preconceptions that exist in the classical music scene by embracing 21st Century classical music as well as utilizing elements of new age, jazz, pop, folk, minimalism, avant-garde, chill, lounge and hip-hop. The trio works with composers who have many diverse influences, and the Ahns also continue to collaborate with many different types of artists.
“Every century has its own distinctive style of classical music,” states Angella, “and our album reflects classical music in the 21st Century which, of course, is influenced by all different types of music in this modern era. We live in New York City and can't help but be inspired by all the exciting new music and art around us. Incorporating these elements feels like an entirely organic progression to us. We don't purposely set out to be rebellious.”
Possessing an enviable combination of talent, style and beauty, the Ahn sisters have long been favorite subjects for the international press. The group initially made a big splash when they were featured early on in Time Magazine (the cover heralded “Asian-American Whiz Kids”). They have gone on to be frequently featured on fashion pages in magazines such as Vogue, GQ, Harpers Bazaar, W, Marie Claire and Town & Country. Angella, Lucia and Maria also were named three of People magazine's “50 Most Beautiful People” in 2003, not just for their beauty but also for their outstanding musical accomplishments.
For their new CD on SONY BMG Masterworks, the Ahns planned an album they had been dreaming of doing for several years: their modern classical take on what they call “lullabies fit for 21st Century insomniacs.”
“Lullabies are traditionally very simple and beautiful melodies that are small yet powerful in their emotional content. In every culture they are the same. We started by choosing lullaby-worthy material and then did 'modern classical' treatments of them which for us meant creating something edgy but at the same time minimalistic since lullabies should always be simple,” explains Maria Ahn. “Primarily our ingredients were our acoustic instruments with some very, very subtle electronica elements and a few non-classical singers.”
The Ahns feel that Lullaby for my Favorite Insomniac is “a reflective yet impulsive album” acknowledging who they are at this moment in time. “It's a concept we wanted to explore at this time in our career, and it is very personal because it is the first album that we were involved in the production,” Maria explains.
The Ahn Trio is already looking ahead to the future. Their next album will consist of all original works written especially for the trio. They are waiting with great anticipation a new Triple Concerto being written for them by Mark O'Connor. Upcoming plans include: a recording collaboration with the Tata Bojs; performances in New York City, Mexico and Chicago; a new recording of their Christmas EP; and a tour in China and Korea that will include the premiere of Kenji Bunch's “Hardware Triple Concerto” in China.
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