"For me, 'D a r k V e l v e t' is a synonym for the sound before music, that due to the opportunity of being close enough to the process of its creation, I learned to speak." - Julija Hartig
Because Julija Hartig's father was a cellist and composer, she was close to the creative process from a young age and felt deeply intertwined with the compositions for her instrument, the violin. Later in her life, her connection with composers remained very deep and this stimulated her curiosity and passion for the language of new music. Through this mutual inspiration, various pieces were created, specially written or arranged for Hartig. This album is therefore an autobiographical story. It is a reflection of Julija Hartig's Yugoslavian and Dutch identity described in 10 pieces by 8 composers.
It results in a varied album with one common denominator: Julija Hartig. In addition to works composed for the violinist since 1990, three new works (world premiere recordings) were specially written for her for this project. All works have their unique musical language ranging from pure sincere tender love to otherworldly sounds. Some speak of deep sorrow of loss, passionate longing for love and life, faded beauty or simply pure wild untamed joy.
Julija Hartig grew up in Serbia where she came into contact with various composers. With her father Tibor Hartig, solo cellist of the Serbian National Theater, Philharmonic and Chamber Orchestra Novi Sad, she often played together. His compositions were her first introduction to the process of composing, which sometimes arose from improvisation and playing together. 'Dialog' for violin and cello is the result of one of these improvisation sessions. On this album performed by Serbian cellist Maja Bogdanović. In 1993 he wrote 'Monolog' for solo violin for his daughter's final exam, as part of the recital programme.
Isidora Žebeljan (1967-2020), is one of the most performed, prominent and internationally acclaimed Serbian composers and was a dear friend of Julija Hartig. In 2011 she made a transcription of her song 'Oh, Die, My Love', for voice (sung by Hartig while playing), violin and piano. In her childhood Julija Hartig meets Aleksandra Vrebalov (1970). Vrebalov has written 90 works in her lifetime. In honour of their birthplace Novi Sad (European capital of culture in 2022) she wrote a new piece for violin and piano 'Constellation Hartig'.
Calliope Tsoupaki (1963) is one of the composers Julija Hartig meets shortly after moving to the Netherlands in 1994. Tsoupaki, 'Composer of the Nation' from 2018 to 2021, writes 'A song for Isidora' in 2020.
"I would like to dedicate this CD with the Solo Violin piece by Calliope Tsoupaki, 'A Song for Isidora', to the loving memory of my dear friend." - Julija Hartig
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