When I was a freshman at Temple University, I went to a graduate recital where the violist performed Hindemith’s Sonata for Viola and Piano op. 25 no. 4 and by the time the violist entered I was hooked: I wanted to know everything about the sonata and about this Hindemith guy. I convinced my viola professor at the time to allow me to learn both op. 25 no. 4 and the solo sonata, op. 25 no. 1, for my senior recital. Digging into those pieces, I learned what it was like to play a piece written FOR your instrument. I could deduce what fingerings and bowings Hindemith himself probably used to execute each passage. This was a revelation for me. I felt like I could know and understand Paul Hindemith so much more by learning his viola music.

I continued to beg my viola professors in graduate school to let me focus heavily on the music of Hindemith and starting dreaming about the possibility of one day recording the set of seven sonatas. This is a passion project that I had always assumed I would have to bankroll myself when I was older. In 2012, I “completed the set” when I learned the 1937 solo sonata while I was studying at Music Academy of the West. The idea of putting out a commercial recording of this set seemed so far away at that time.

I am completely honored and humbled that Villa Aurora has agreed to be so generous in their support and even provide an inspiring location for the recordings. The piano parts of the 3 duo sonatas are pretty brutal, and I’m incredibly lucky to be collaborating with the awesome pianist Aron Kallay for this project. He has been so instrumental (ha!) in the organizing of this project.

When I started to learn these pieces, I wasn’t thinking about dipping my toe into composing. However, in the past three years that’s become an important part of my creative life. Revisiting these works as I prepare to record them has taken on a new meaning for me as I can intimately study and pick apart how Hindemith chose to write for himself and for our instrument. I hope to eventually make my own contributions to the viola repertoire that will be inspired by and come out of my work on the Hindemith Sonatas.

I hope to use this page to continue sharing my thoughts, struggles, and news about recording my first album, about the recording sessions, and about Hindemith.

I can’t wait to share the final product with you all and hopefully get a few more people excited about this excellent set of viola sonatas!

My friends at Equal Sound have generously provided me with a fiscal sponsorship so you can give tax deductible donations HERE!