In 27 Pieces, The Hilary Hahn Encores. Hilary Hahn (violin), Cory Smythe (piano). Deutsche Grammophon 2CDs.
She explored the field and personally contacted 27 composers; the resultant pieces filling two discs. All are interesting and challenging, although slightly less ''showy'' than I had expected. In the programme is local composer Gillian Whitehead's fine Torua (the bellbird) with inspiration from Christchurch quakes, and all the others are impressively different.
Among my favourites: Do Yun's When a Tiger Meets a Rosa Rugosa, Higdon's Echo Dash, Dorman's Memory Games, the hoedown in Bates' Ford's Farm, Satoh's Bifu, imitation guitar feedback in Sharp's Storm of the Eye.
Highlight: New violin magic, brilliantly performed.
Mozart Arias. Emma Matthews (soprano), Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. ABC CD.
Some of them are lesser known but all typically Mozart, being full of operatic drama and depth of feeling. She also portrays Pamina well in ''Ach, ich fuhl's'' (Alas, I feel It). Other operas represented are Scipio's Dream, Zaide, and The Marriage of Figaro.
Arko Letonja conducts the Tasmanian orchestra, and the soloist commends in the accompanying booklet the oboe playing of David Nuttal - he impresses in the duet ''Vorrei spiergarvi, oh Dio'' KV418 (written for Anfossi's opera that flopped.) Lyrics and translations are provided.
Highlight: Mozart arias well presented.