ILUMINA

New Works for Guitar

To be released on August 28, 2026

Details to be announced

Tracklist:

Sara d’Ippolito Reichert
1. Bella di Papà (4:50)  *

Paul Ibbotson
2. Prelude in E minor (4:26) *

3. Little Dancer (4:21) *

Olga Amelkina-Vera
4. Ana-Lucía (5:16) *

Juan Erena
5. Etude No. 8 (2:50) *

6. Find You Again (5:47)

7. Carta a Lucina (6:29)

8. Amanda (3:23) *

Khiem Nguyen-Duy
9. Song for Soul (9:06) *

10. Toccata on “Lý Kéo Chài” (4:01) *

Variations and Fugue on “Ru Em” (Xê Đăng Lullaby) (9:50) *

11. Theme and Variations

12. Fugue

Nathan Stade
13. The Park Bench (3:56) *

* World premiere recordings

With Ilumina, An Tran presents a bold and deeply personal statement for the future of the classical guitar, bringing together twelve world premiere works written especially for him by an international group of composers. Conceived as both an artistic and collaborative project, the album reflects Tran’s commitment to shaping new repertoire at the highest level, positioning the guitar firmly within today’s global musical landscape. The program moves fluidly between intimate lyricism and rhythmic vitality, from the poetic warmth of Bella di Papà and the nostalgic tenderness of Ana-Lucia, to the driving energy and folkloric inspiration of Toccata on “Lý Kéo Chài”.

At the center of Ilumina is a sense of storytelling and human connection, with each work offering a distinct voice while contributing to a cohesive, expressive arc. Tran’s refined virtuosity, sensitivity to color, and natural sense of phrasing bring these new works vividly to life, revealing a wide spectrum of textures and emotions. More than a collection of premieres, Ilumina stands as a defining artistic statement, highlighting both the richness of today’s compositional voices and the evolving role of the classical guitar in the 21st century.

This recording is partially supported by an Individual Artists Program Grant from the City of Chicago DCASE