Japanese-American cellist Yoshika (“Yoshi”) Masuda makes his recording debut with Hidden Flame, an album containing music by Amy Beach, Clara Schumann, Rita Strohl, Nadia Boulanger, Maria Theresia Paradis, and a world-premiere by Reena Esmail.

The works on Hidden Flame span over two centuries and collectively tell a story of how women have moved from the margins of the classical repertoire to somewhere closer to the center. Whilst the quality of the music these women composed is indisputable, there are also fascinating background stories for all these pieces which often illustrate the personal and societal pressures faced by creative women in history.

Yoshi describes the album’s concept: “to present the compositions of women as masterpieces by truly great composers. Musicians and music lovers often feel confident that great works that exist in this world must already be a part of the standard repertoire.”

“However, this album proves that there are hidden gems that deserve more recognition are still out there! It is my aspiration that, in encountering both the familiar and the unfamiliar within this collection of pieces, listeners will transcend considerations of gender or race and recognize these compositions simply as expressions of profound beauty crafted by masterful composers.”

AMY BEACH (1867–1944)
1. Romance, Op.23 6.27

CLARA SCHUMANN (1819–1896)
3 Romances, Op.22
2. I. Andante molto 3.24
3. II. Allegretto: Mit zartem Vortrage 3.18
4. III. Leidenschaftlich schnell 4.13

RITA STROHL (1865–1941)
Great Dramatic Sonata ‘Titus et Bérénice’
5. I. Allegro moderato 14.03
6. II. Vivace – Molto movimento 5.30
7. III. Lento, tristamente 8.31
8. IV. Allegro molto movimento 10.45

REENA ESMAIL (b. 1983)
9. one word makes a world 5.56
world-premiere recording

NADIA BOULANGER (1887–1979)
3 Pieces for cello & piano
10. I. Modéré 2.51
11. II. Sans vitesse et à l’aise 1.39
12. III. Vite et nerveusement rythmé 2.33

MARIA THERESA PARADIS (1759–1824) attrib.
13. Sicilienne 3.32

Recorded between June 10–12 2022 at Cammilleri Hall, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, this dutifully impassioned new recording opens on the aching yearn of Amy Beach’s Romance, Op.23 and then we get Clara Schumann’s 3 Romances, Op.22: the sombre Andante molto, the cautious Allegretto: Mit zartem Vortrage and the flourishing Leidenschaftlich schnell, before we are brought forth Rita Strohl’s quartet within Great Dramatic Sonata ‘Titus et Bérénice’: the desiring Allegro moderato, the sprightly Vivace – Molto movimento, the shying Lento, tristamente, and then comes the opulent Allegro molto movimento.

Along next is the world-premiere recording from Reena Esmail of the layered majesties found within one word makes a world and that in turn is followed by a trio from Nadia Boulanger entitled 3 Pieces for cello & piano: which itself opens on the refined elegance of Modéré, the light and airey Sans vitesse et à l’aise and the forthright Vite et nerveusement rythmé, the recording closing on the all-embracing Sicilienne from Maria Theresa Paradis.

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