Flutist Han Ji-hee is releasing her debut album and holding a recital.
Universal Music announced that it will release flutist Han Ji-hee's "Carl Reinecke Flute Works" on April 24. The album features three works by Carl Reinecke, including "Flute Concerto in D major" and "Ballade for Flute and Orchestra in D minor," performed with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Vasily Petrenko.
The album also includes "Undine," a sonata for flute and piano, recorded with world-renowned pianist Lang Lang. The album will be released on April 24 under the Deutsche Grammophon label, and the first movement of "Undine" will be pre-released via streaming on April 3.
"I fell in love with Reinecke's music when I was 13," Han said. "I first encountered it through Jean-Pierre Rampal's recordings, and the Flute Concerto and Undine were the most important repertoire during my student years." Her master's thesis was also on Reinecke's Flute Concerto.
Carl Reinecke was a respected educator, director of the Leipzig Conservatory, and conductor of the Gewandhaus Orchestra. His early work "Undine" (1882), inspired by the myth of the water spirit, is a masterpiece of Romantic flute repertoire and is considered essential for flutists.
Lang Lang, who recorded with Han in Paris, said, "Reinecke was also an outstanding pianist. We wanted to interpret the relationship of Undine from a female perspective, and sometimes structured the phrasing in a more feminine way to express shy and fragile emotions." Han recalled, "I felt very comfortable throughout the rehearsals and the recording day with Lang Lang. For me, it felt like a dream come true." Lang Lang added, "Han Ji-hee poured her heart into this challenging repertoire. I am very pleased to be part of this wonderful project."
Han recorded the two orchestral works in London. "I was very nervous at first, but Vasily Petrenko and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra quickly put me at ease," she said. "Miraculous moments occurred as we played together." She added, "This experience has strengthened my desire to introduce classical music, art, and culture to today's youth."
Han is an artist signed to SM Classics, the classical and jazz label of SM Entertainment. She studied at the preparatory school of the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna in Austria and Oberlin Conservatory of Music in the United States, and earned her doctorate from the Seoul National University Graduate School. She is currently active as a member of the chamber ensemble "PACE" and as a soloist. A performance celebrating the release of her new album is scheduled for April 29.
