New International Album Featuring Music by Dora Pejačević in Preparation – Notes from the Undergrowth

Notes from the Undergrowth is an upcoming solo piano album by British pianist Hannah Watson Emmrich, scheduled for release in May 2026 by the independent classical label Deux-Elles. The programme follows the arc of a day and night in a forest ecosystem, expressed through a selection of brief and evocative piano miniatures – ranging from the French Baroque to contemporary compositions.

A special highlight of the programme is the inclusion of works by Dora Pejačević: Blütenwirbel, Papillon, and Nocturne No. 2. Regarding the latter, Emmrich notes:

“The second of her Nocturnes struck me as a perfect ending to the cycle even before I’d obtained the sheet music from Croatian Music Information Centre, which gave the epigraph – a poem by Pejačević herself which describes the forest at night.”

She adds:

“I’ve loved getting to know the music of Dora Pejačević over the last few years… I’ve been drawn to her obviously deep connection with nature and the humour, colour and beauty of her descriptive pieces.”

The album also includes three new commissions inspired by less musically explored species such as mushrooms, fireflies, and slime mould, by composers Timothy Salter, Joshua Borin (Grex), and Maki Gajic Murata (Fireflies).

To support the recording, a crowdfunding campaign has been launched.

🎶 Watch Blütenwirbel performed live:
https://www.instagram.com/deuxellesrecords/reel/DLuI-TvoYqN/

🌿 More about the project:
www.hannahwatsonemmrich.com