Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers will release The American Masters, an album of violin works by Samuel Barber, John Corigliano and Mason Bates, on the eOne label on September 30. The album includes two pieces that were written expressly for her: Bates' Violin Concerto, which Meyers premiered in December 2012; and Corigliano's Lullaby for Natalie, written to celebrate the birth of Meyers' first child.
Her album also includes a staple of the violin repertoire, Samuel Barber's Violin Concerto. Meyers recorded this album with the London Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor Leonard Slatkin.
Her album links three generations of American composers: Barber, who died in 1981, is regarded as one of the greatest American composers of the 20th century. Barber was a generous mentor to Corigliano, who is one of today's foremost composers, having received the Pulitzer Prize, an Academy Award, the Grawemeyer Award and a Grammy Award.
Corigliano is also well-known as a composition teacher, and counts Mason Bates as a leading student. Bates is one of the most frequently performed composers of his generation. He currently serves as composer-in-residence with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and is a 2012 recipient of the Heinz Award for Arts and Humanities.
Bates' Violin Concerto, co-commissioned by the Pittsburgh Symphony and Anne Akiko Meyers, has been performed with the Pittsburgh, Nashville, Detroit, Richmond and Chicago Symphony Orchestras since its world premiere in December 2012.
Meyers performed the works on this album on the 'Ex-Vieuxtemps' Guarneri del Gesu violin, dated 1741, which is considered by many to be the finest sounding violin in existence. Meyers has been awarded exclusive lifetime use of this instrument.
For more details about The American Masters and Anne Akiko Meyers' upcoming concert appearances, please visit www.anneakikomeyers.com.
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