For the Record, Op. 186: Leonidas Kavakos; Daniel Hope; Catalyst Quartet; John Williams in Berlin

February 4, 2022, 6:07 PM · Welcome to "For the Record," Violinist.com's weekly roundup of new releases of recordings by violinists, violists, cellists and other classical musicians. We hope it helps you keep track of your favorite artists, as well as find some new ones to add to your listening!

Violinist Leonidas Kavakos.

Bach: Sei Solo
Leonidas Kavakos, violin

Violinist Leonidas Kavakos performs Bach’s complete Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin on his 1734 "Willemotte" Stradivarius. "'Wir danken dir, Gott (We thank you, God)' is the title of Bach’s Cantata No. 29, the opening Sinfonia of which is a transcription for organ and orchestra of the Preludio from Partita No. 3," Kavakos said. "It could equally well serve as the title for all six sonatas and partitas." BELOW: Kavakos performs the "Loure" from Bach's Partita No. 3:

America
Daniel Hope, violin
Zurich Chamber Orchestra
Berlin-based violinist Daniel Hope explores the repertoire of American music in an album that includes music by Leonard Bernstein, Sam Cooke, Aaron Copland, Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, Florence Price, Samuel A. Ward and Kurt Weill. "We know a piece is from America the moment we hear it," Hope said, "but what makes music sound American?" BELOW: Bernstein: I. America (For Solo Violin & String Orchestra):

Uncovered, Vol. 2
Catalyst Quartet
Michelle Cann, piano

This album is devoted entirely to the six known string quartet and piano quintet works of composer Florence B. Price – including four world premiere recordings. "Price faced extreme obstacles in her lifetime, however her compositional output is vast despite the many barriers placed in her path," said a statement by the quartet. "The works on this album are a powerful reminder that America’s romantic classical vernacular, as prophesied by Dvorak, owes an incredible amount to the voices history has overlooked and suppressed." Uncovered, Vol. 1 featured the music of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. BELOW: The Catalyst Quartet performs "Five Folksongs in Counterpoint" by Florence Price:

The Berlin Concert
Berlin Philharmonic, John Williams conducting

John William leads the Berlin Philharmonic through his most famous film scores the live concert that is featured in this album, which celebrates the film composer's 90th birthday, on Feb. 8. BELOW: Trailer for the album:

If you have a new recording you would like us to consider for inclusion in our Thursday "For the Record" feature, please e-mail Editor Laurie Niles. Be sure to include the name of your album, a link to it and a short description of what it includes.

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