Introducing
KISS ON WOOD
“mesmerizing”
Featured on BBC3’s In Tune, with Petroc Trelawney
“Yonan floats celestially above, each precisely pitched tone meticulously sustained with just the right degree of vibrato; the constancy of motion the duo demonstrate as the music ascends and descends also amplifies the understated grandeur of the material. Yonan and Yi honour Pärt and the other composers with exemplary performances that humbly defer to the character of each piece whilst also revealing their artistry as musicians.” - Textura, July 2025
KISS ON WOOD ALBUM PROMO (SONO LUMINUS) Rachel Yonan, viola and Kwan Yi, piano
Revolving around the first recording of Sir James MacMillan’s Kiss on Wood for viola and piano arranged and performed by Rachel Yonan, this album explores the polarity of light and darkness. Minimalist composer Arvo Pärt’s beloved Fratres and Spiegel im Spiegel bookend the program. The concept of light infuses these pieces with their intense clarity and search for transcendent meaning.
Stereophile Magazine, August 2025
Performance ****
Sonics *****
“an intriguing, surprisingly short program...the contrasts are many, and the rewards are considerable..” © Stereophile Magazine (Jason Victor Serinus) 2025
REVIEWS
Textura, July 2025
“This commendably concise collection by violist Rachel Yonan oscillates smoothly between the metaphysical and the physical… Yonan's playing ranges from serene and tender to agitated, raw, and even frenzied in this mesmerizing rendition with her articulate recital partner… Yonan and Yi honour Pärt and the other composers with exemplary performances that humbly defer to the character of each piece whilst also revealing their artistry as musicians.” © 2025 Textura
Take Effect, July 2025
“Yonan’s intricate strings are met with dense keys that balance intimacy and exploration… Spiegel im Spiegel graces us with intimacy and a dreaminess that embraces a stirring beauty of gorgeous, timeless viola…. An eloquent effort that touches on minimalism, contrasting positions and bouts of spiritual ideas, Yonan recruits emotional moments, melancholy and colourful dynamics to a diverse and memorable record. © Take Effect 2025
NativeDSD, June 2025
“This is haunting, beautiful music, beautifully played and recorded– and highly recommended.” © NativeDSD (Bill Dodd) 2025
AllMusic, June 2025
“Yonan reveals a deeply communicative intentions … Accompanist Kwan Yi fulfills the prime directive in music of this sort… quietly guiding the performance. A useful find for violists and even general listeners will find interesting and unusual material here.” © AllMusic (James Manheim) 2025