Yoshika Masuda & Hyejin Kim - Hidden Flame (2024)

Japanese-American cellist Yoshika ("Yoshi") Masuda makes his recording debut with Hidden Flame, an album containing music by Amy Beach, Clara Schumann, Rita Strohl, Nadia Boulanger, Maria Theresia Paradis, and a world-premiere by Reena Esmail.

The works on Hidden Flame span over two centuries and collectively tell a story of how women have moved from the margins of the classical repertoire to somewhere closer to the centre. Whilst the quality of the music these women composed is indisputable, there are also fascinating background stories for all these pieces which often illustrate the personal and societal pressures faced by creative women in history.

Yoshi describes the album's concept: "to present the compositions of women as masterpieces by truly great composers. Musicians and music lovers often feel confident that great works that exist in this world must already be a part of the standard repertoire. However, this album proves that there are hidden gems that deserve more recognition are still out there! It is my aspiration that, in encountering both the familiar and the unfamiliar within this collection of pieces, listeners will transcend considerations of gender or race and recognise these compositions simply as expressions of profound beauty crafted by masterful composers".

Tracklist
01. Romance, Op. 23
02. 3 Romances, Op. 22: I. Andante molto
03. 3 Romances, Op. 22: II. Allegretto: Mit zartem Vortrage
04. 3 Romances, Op. 22: III. Leidenschaftlich schnell
05. Great Dramatic Sonata, "Titus et Bérénice": I. Allegro moderato
06. Great Dramatic Sonata, "Titus et Bérénice": II. Vivace - Molto movimento
07. Great Dramatic Sonata, "Titus et Bérénice": III. Lento, Tristamente
08. Great Dramatic Sonata, "Titus et Bérénice": IV. Allegro molto movimento
09. one word makes a world
10. 3 Pieces for Cello and Piano: I. Modéré
11. 3 Pieces for Cello and Piano: II. Sans vitesse et à l’aise
12. 3 Pieces for Cello and Piano: III. Vite et nerveusement rhythmé