Description
Released on a DigiSleeve CD and on all digital platforms: 15 November 2024
AMERICAN SKETCHES
John NOVACEK (b. 1964)
1–4. Four Rags *
George GERSHWIN (1898–1937)
5. But Not for Me (1930) (arr. Jeremy Ajani JORDAN, b. 1989) *
James Louis ‘J.J.’ JOHNSON (1924–2001)
6. Lament (1954) (arr. J.A. JORDAN) *
Scott JOPLIN (1868–1917)
7. The Entertainer (1902) (arr. J.A. JORDAN) *
Amy BEACH (1867–1944)
8. Romance for Violin and Piano, Op. 23 (1893) †
Henry ‘Harry’ Thacker BURLEIGH (1866–1949)
9–12. Southland Sketches (1916) *
Jonathan RAGONESE (b. 1989)
13. non-poem 4 (2017) (arr. for violin and piano, 2018) *
Kevin PUTS (b. 1972)
14. Four Airs: IV. Air (previously called Aria) (2000) *
Thelonious MONK (1917–1982)
15. Monk’s Mood (1943–44) *
Kristin Lee violin
* Jeremy Ajani Jordan piano
† Jun Cho piano
Recorded at Oktaven Audio, Mount Vernon, New York, USA, 21 November 2019 (tracks 5–7, 13–14),
5 March 2020 (tracks 1–4, 9–12 and 15) and 15 May 2023 (track 8)
Produced by Kristin Lee and Ryan Streber
Recorded by Ryan Streber
Edited and mastered by Edwin Kenzo Huet and Ryan Streber
24bit, 96kHz high resolution recording, editing and mastering
Album cover photo by Kevin Hsu, 12/34 LAB
Press Quotes
‘Kristin Lee’s Marvelous American Sketches – A wonderful disc’ (Classics Today)
‘It’s all there and projected with effortless flair and a propensity to speak from the heart in genuine fashion. Kristin Lee readily tailors the tone of her instrument to the piece at hand.’ (Classical Music Sentinel)
‘…There’s nothing tentative about this debut… on the contrary, the versatile violinist asserts herself splendidly throughout the fifty-three-minute collection.’ (Textura – Instrumental pick of 2024)
‘Delightful riffs on the ragtime tradition of Scott Joplin and a really fine way of beginning violinist Kristin Lee’s new album American Sketches…. Punchy playing’ (‘Record Review’ BBC Radio 3)
‘American Sketches is the remarkable debut solo album from the Korean-American violinist Kristin Lee, violinist…’ (The WholeNote)
‘This small-label release makes one want to hear more from its principal player.’ (**** All Music)
‘The results are delicious…. a delightful feel-good album that sounds excellent in high-resolution file format, American Sketches is a keeper.’ (San Francisco Classical Voice)
‘Kristin Lee is another superb young violinist… All are thoughtful, beautifully prepared performances…. The recording on First Hand Records is outstanding. Detailed but warm, allowing all the subtleties Lee conjures with her wonderful tone… Buy with confidence. Very highly recommended.’ (Audiophilia)
‘Lee possesses an astonishing technique, a full lyrical tone and, most importantly, the ability to adapt these to different genres with style and passion.’ (AUSTA National Journal)