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!
Isolation Variation
Hilary Hahn, violin
Michael Abels, composer
Hilary Hahn presents the world premiere recording of Michael Abels’s Isolation Variation. "This is a very special piece to me," Abel said. "It seemed as if the music was already present in the ether, and I was merely transcribing it. I am not sure where this music came from, but it was clearly meant to be here for Hilary Hahn to play." The piece was commissioned in 2020 as part of Hahn's virtual residency with the Philharmonic Society of Orange County. "We commissioned a new solo encore, something I could continue performing when in-person concerts would return," Hahn said. Hahn is currently Artist-in-Residence with both the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Utah Symphony. BELOW: Abels' Isolation Variation.:
Musical Remembrances
Neave Trio
Anna Williams, violin
Mikhail Veselov, cello
Eri Nakamura, piano
This album includes Rachmaninoff’s Trio Élégiaque No. 1; Brahms’ Piano Trio No. 1, Op. 8; and Ravel’s Piano Trio in A minor, Op. 67. Rachmaninoff’s early first piano trio was inspired by Tchaikovsky’s trio in A minor. Brahms’s first trio was inspired by the composer’s (unrequited) feelings for Clara Schumann. Ravel’s only piano trio was composed in 1914, as France was being drawn into the horrors of World War I. BELOW: Trailer from the album.
Solus et una
Amit Peled, cello
This album features J.S. Bach’s Suites Nos. 4 and 5, and a new arrangement of the Andante from Brahms’s Symphony No. 3 for Cello Choir. A follow-up to his 2018 album Bach Vol. 1, Solus et una features J.S. Bach’s Suites Nos. 4 and 5 for Violoncello Solo, plus a brand new cello choir arrangement of the Andante from Brahms’ Symphony No. 3, performed by the Mount Vernon Virtuosi cellos. “Solus et una (meaning ‘alone and together’ in Latin) is a reflection on my musical journey during the COVID-19 pandemic," Peled said. "As my mentor Boris Pergamenschikow wrote, ‘The Bach Cello Suites is music that cleanses the soul, especially if you play it just for yourself, preferably without any audience.’ As with many of us cellists, I found myself spending a lot of time with the Bach Suites in my home studio during the long months of the lockdown." BELOW: Brahms Symphony no. 3, II. Andante arr. for eight cellos and piano, Amit Peled and MVV CelloGang
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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