In Concert with Han

Today, for our very first episode, I’m so happy to have composer Ellis Ludwig-Leone with me. Ellis recently released Quiet Hours, a new album featuring nine nocturnes written for nine distinct pianists—including Ellis himself and yours truly. What makes this project so unique is that Ellis traveled to each pianist’s home to record them, capturing everyone in their most intimate practice spaces.

On November 7th, all nine of us are getting together right here in NYC to present the complete world premiere live. We’re thrilled to bring this to the stage, so stay tuned to dive into the story behind the project, Ellis’s journey, and his dynamic career spanning contemporary classical music, leading his indie rock band San Fermin, and running a record label.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:10) Welcoming Ellis Ludwig-Leone & "Quiet Hours"

(03:32) Why nocturnes?

(05:51) Complicated relationship with the nighttime

(07:45) Writing the nocturnes for specific pianists

(11:48) Han in Ellis's eyes

(13:13) Recording at pianists' homes

(16:03) Writing the nocturnes changed Ellis's relationship with the piano

(21:50) Ellis's initial encounter with the instrument

(25:01) From high-school rock bands to majoring in composition at Yale

(29:01) Revelatory moment in graduation recital and the difference between song-writing and contemporary classical music composition

(34:52) Compositional process - initial inspirations

(36:31) The movement in the musical world bending the fine line between genres

(39:25) What's the difference between Ellis's band music and symphonic works?

(46:05) Closing remarks - November 7th concert!

Video Podcast: https://youtu.be/CVGkjbfr2i8

Podcast website: https://www.hanchenpiano.com/projects#in-concert-with-han

Han's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hanchenpiano/

November 7th concert: https://www.deathofclassical.com/concerts/ellis-ludwig-leones-quiet-hours

Ellis Ludwig-Leone's website: https://www.ellisludwigleone.com