Ahn Trio

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Ahn Trio
Ahn Trio (anyjazz65).jpg
Background information
Origin New York City
Genres Classical, Crossover, Alternative
Years active 1989–present
Labels Sony BMG Masterworks
Website www.ahntrio.com
Members Maria Ahn (cello), Lucia Ahn (piano), Angella Ahn (violin)

The Ahn Trio is a classical piano trio composed of three sisters: Angella (violin), Lucia (piano) and Maria (cello) Ahn. Lucia and Maria are twins. Born in Seoul, Korea, they moved to New York City in 1981 and began their training at the Juilliard School. The sisters decided to form a trio while they were earning their master's degrees at Juilliard.[1] The Ahn Trio is known for its performance of new classical music, genre-crossing programming, and collaborations with other artists.

Media recognition

They first achieved widespread recognition in the United States in 1987 when TIME Magazine featured them in a cover story about Asian-American "Whiz Kids".[2] Since then, the trio has appeared in magazines multiple times, acknowledging that they seek to "get in the mainstream magazines as classical artists" to promote classical music's image.[3] In 2003, they were selected by People Magazine as three of the "50 Most Beautiful People"[4] and have been featured in Vogue, GQ and in ads for GAP and Anne Klein. They have been photographed by photographers Arthur Elgort, Ellen von Unwerth, and Walter Chin. The trio is often noted for their attractive appearance and fashion choices.[5][6][7]

Repertoire and collaborations

The Ahn Trio performs a diverse set of genres, ranging from new classical music to arrangements of popular songs. In addition to recognized works of the classical piano trio repertoire such as that found on their first two albums (one of which, Dvořák, Suk, Shostakovich: Piano Trios, earned them a German ECHO award) the sisters have performed arrangements of popular music (including songs of David Bowie and The Doors) and have commissioned works by composers including Michael Nyman, Mark O'Connor, Roberto Carnevale, and Ronn Yedidia.

The Ahn Trio's collaborations include an acoustic project with alternative rock band Tata Bojs, with whom they performed live at the Czech Grammys and recorded an album, smetana, and performances with the David Parsons Dance Company. Also, they appeared on MTV's "Unplugged" with Bryan Adams, which inspired the title of one of their albums, "Ahn-Plugged." The "Ahn-Plugged" has also been used by the trio as a general term for their project of commissioning and performing new works.[8]

Their latest album, Lullaby For My Favorite Insomniac, features collaborations with vocalists Susie Suh and Ema Brabcová and with DJs Tao of Sound, DJ Spooky, Superdrive, and Ra.D. for four remix tracks on the album.

Performances and appearances

The Ahn Trio performs frequently throughout the United States, and also gives workshops and master classes at middle schools, high schools, and colleges, seeking to bring new audiences to classical music.[3] Their performances often include visually appealing staging[9] and programs that are announced and discussed from the stage by the trio.[10]

In December 2010, the Ahn Trio appeared in the TED Conference as part of the TEDWomen series, performing Skylife by David Balakrishnan and Oblivion by Astor Piazzolla.[11]

Their recording of "The Heart Asks Pleasure First" by Michael Nyman from their album Lullaby For My Favorite Insomniac appeared in the "So You Think You Can Dance" in the show's final episode of Season 8 on August 10, 2011.[12]

The Ahn Trio performed at the White House State Dinner honoring South Korean President Lee Myung-bak on October 13, 2011.[13]

Discography

Year Album details Notes
1995 Paris Rio
  • Released: April 12, 1995
  • Label: Chesky Records
1999 Dvořák, Suk, Shostakovich: Piano Trios
  • Released: January 12, 1999
  • Label: EMI Europe Generic
  • Won German ECHO award
  • Dvořák: Piano Trio in E Minor, Op. 90 ("Dumky")
  • Suk: Elegie in D-flat Major, Op. 23
  • Shostakovich: Piano Trio No. 2 in E Minor, Op. 67
2000 Ahn-Plugged
  • Released: August 15, 2000
  • Label: EMI Classics
2002 Groovebox
  • Released: October 22, 2002
  • Label: EMI Classics
2008 Lullaby For My Favorite Insomniac
  • Released: April 1, 2008
  • Label: Sony Classics
2008 smetana
  • Released: November 8, 2008
  • Label: Warner
  • Collaborative project with Czech band Tata Bojs

References

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External links

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