Jewish-American violinist Ilana Zaks’ debut album insightfully explores the dynamics between contrasting ideals: dreams versus reality, hardness versus softness, destruction versus beauty.

The album opens with a three-part work titled Persistence of Memory, inspired by Salvador Dalí’s famous painting of the same name, composed by Lila Quillin. Zaks is accompanied by percussionist Alexander Garde. 

Part I Landscape refers to nature, the plains and the mountains in the background of the painting, giving the movement a clear, robust theme. Part II Soft Watches refers to the melting clocks, and their representation of the waning power of time, especially in dreams. A heavenly theme is evident in the final part, Dream Photograph, portraying the dreams in the painting. It is built on the same melodic structure as the first part, but embraces a more surreal theme.

Zaks’ precise and committed performance creates an ethereal atmospheric ideal. Her interplay with Garde is astonishingly profound. 

This other-worldly triptych sets the stage for the following five works in exploration of reality versus fantasy, and how the opposing worlds demonstrate what life is truly about.

In Metamorphosis, composed by Austin Smith, the fluid nature of the violin is explored. It begins by slowly emerging, testing the earth around it. Zaks’ playing becomes more confident but also more harsh, almost mechanical. The final phrase beautifully slides off into the distance, like a whisper.

Love Triangle by Lila Quillin is a short piece based on the interaction of three characters, each identified by their own melodic motif. Unlike the “three” pattern from this album, each theme is introduced in the beginning, then explores melodic development and interaction. Here, Zaks shines in her ability to tell a story without any support. 

The second half of the album, featuring Noah’s Dove (by Benjamin Yee Paulson) and Ruminations (by Austin Smith), introduces the idea of God, and the duality of struggle and faith that a relationship with a higher being can have.

Noah’s Dove interprets the section of Genesis where Noah has a dove search a flood-ridden Earth for land, and the dove returns from its travels with an olive branch in its beak, symbolizing hope for the future. This idea continues the contrasting theme of destruction versus beauty, as this bird flies freely above its destroyed home, in search of one leftover piece of its existence. Zaks and percussionist Michael Weinfeld-Zell’s synergy captures the zeitgeist of this introspective truth.

In Ruminations, the prayer-like conversation between percussion and violin is similar to a person speaking to themselves and to God. The intense spiritual exploration, like a conversation with God, is one that can sometimes be filled with confusion, aggravation, and sometimes a feeling of abandonment. Percussionist Kevin Ray adds the imperative backbone that allows Zaks to commune with a higher power.

The album’s final work, Journey by Benjamin Yee Paulson, was originally composed for violinist Victoria Shir-Levy in 2017 and inspired by Bartók’s Sonata for Solo Violin, Sz. 117. It includes several similar folk-like motives and dance-like allusions to the sonata, unlike some of the other works on this album. However, it follows a similar theme of exploration and communion. 

Zaks’ technical command certainly shines through this work and throughout the entire album, but she blossoms in her pathos and commitment to this new sound world of delicious contrasts. Persistence of Memory is a welcomed addition to any music fan looking for a fresh, yet timeless, spiritual expression.

Album Details

This is a commissioned project of three violin and percussion duo works. The album was recorded at Berklee School of Music and New England Conservatory’s Burnes Hall, and includes works by composers Lila Quillin, Austin Smith, and Benjamin Yee Paulson. Zaks feature collaborators are percussionists Alexander Garde, Kevin Ray, and Michael Weinfeld-Zell. The three violin and percussion duo works was commissioned with help from the New England Conservatory Entrepreneurial Musicianship Grant. This album is also the first ever Classical music visual album featuring the music with a wide array of artistic collaborators ranging from dancers, visual artists, and filmography. 

The album is set to be released November 16, 2019. Pre-order the album starting November 9th and watch out for the visual album screening in December, with the release shortly afterward. Stay tuned for further updates on Ilana’s Facebook page.