The 2023 Violinist.com Holiday Gift Guide

December 4, 2023, 4:29 PM ·

Welcome to our 14th annual Violinist.com Holiday Gift Guide! Gift-giving is one of the great joys of the holiday season, and each year we compile a list of some of the year's best new gear, books, recordings, and other offerings from violinists for you to consider in your holiday gift-giving, gift-asking — and loading of the smartphone, computer or other device. We hope this allows you to consider a music-related gift. We include gifts you can purchase in support of our sponsors, recommendations from Laurie, and our list of this year's Top 10 recordings.

We also would suggest that you consider supporting your local live music scene by purchasing tickets to local music events or simply making a year-end donation to a musical non-profit of your choice. Please feel free add your suggestions in the comments section. And yes, in this case, you are allowed to toot your own horn and recommend your own CD or book or product! You may also wish to refer to our gift-giving guides from previous years; I've listed links to those at the end of this blog.

BUY GIFTS FROM OUR SPONSORS

Presto® Impulse Bows
Meticulous attention to detail assures that the PRESTO® Impulse bow accurately reflects every nuance of your playing, and nothing more. PRESTO® bows are only made with aerospace-grade fibers and resins. All bows are thoroughly inspected, meaning only bows with the best craftsmanship are sent to our customers. Splendid tracking ability, superb control and a warm tone allow you to keep your mind, and your heart, on your performance.

PIRASTRO KorfkerRest® LUNA®
The new PIRASTRO KorfkerRest® LUNA® focuses on ease of use while honoring Pirastro's commitment to comfort and tonal freedom.The KorfkerRest Luna has much the same design as the original, with the same grippy feet and light weight. It also has collapsible legs and a lower price tag. Read our review of the Luna here.

Violin Vibrato Training Course
A complete course to develop your gorgeous violin vibrato! Learning Violin Vibrato is all about training the muscles that create a beautiful vibrato motion. Unfortunately, vibrato exercises can be boring to do. The Violinlab.com's Vibrato Trainer takes the onus out of doing vibrato exercises by combining thorough explanations of the learning process with fun and engaging interactive training modules. Develop a gorgeous vibrato with a series of thoughtfully sequenced exercises to quality accompaniments. Now on sale until January 15th.

Beethoven: The Complete Sonatas for Pianoforte and Violin (in 2 volumes)
Clive Brown’s ground-breaking edition combines a scholarly-critical approach with the provision of a wealth of information on historical performing practice. It is the first Urtext edition to include a complete Critical Commentary and a description of all relevant sources. This publication consists of a score and two individual parts for the violin: a “clean” Urtext and an annotated part with fingering and bowing by Clive Brown based on the thorough study of historical techniques and practices.

DYNAMO® from Thomastik-Infeld
Previously uncombinable characteristics have been combined in these groundbreaking violin strings and invite you to perform like never before. Also, these strings will be coming soon for viola. (Thomastik-Infeld describes them as sounding similar to the popular Dominant Strings in terms of focus, but more brilliant. Here are some reviews from our readers.)

Fiddlerman Master Violin Outfit
Unwrap the magic of Christmas with the Fiddlerman Master Violin, now only $883.15 (15% off) during our Holiday Sale. The Master violin is a Fiddlershop best-seller featuring a gorgeous one-piece back, producing a warm and round tone, strong projection, and quick response. It is an excellent instrument for discerning players and students alike. The violin comes equipped with a quality oblong case, Fiddlerman Carbon Fiber Bow, shoulder rest, tuner, and rosin. Just like every instrument shipped from Fiddlershop's Workshop, the Master violin is set up by our team of talented luthiers, play-tested, and delivered to you, ready to play out of the box.

Julia Rosin by Pierre Nehr
French bow maker Pierre Nehr has created a new rosin using a new ecological method of tapping pine resin, which now can be harvested respecting the trees, the tappers and the planet. This Eco-friendly rosin is made in Nehr's workshop in Paris, after two months of trials with more than 30 Parisian string players to develop a rosin of an excellent quality that is 100% natural. Offered by Bay Fine Strings.

Musafia Violin Case
This holiday season, the Metzler Violin Shop offers Musafia violin and viola cases from Cremona, Italy. "Luxury Ultralight case" by Musafia for $1,433 - a beautiful, rectangular violin case with a kevlar and wood shell. This case offers lighter weight with a luxurious SuperSilk interior, without sacrificing quality or instrument safety.

Rondo Gold violin set
Rondo Gold is the new professional violin set by Thomastik-Infeld and comes highly recommend by the Metzler Violin Shop. The Rondo Gold set has a warmer and more powerful sound than Thomastik-Infeld Rondo strings. This set is $129.95 and includes two E string options, tin-plated or gold-plated

LAURIE'S RECOMMENDATIONS

iPad and Apple Pencil
If you have not yet taken the plunge when it comes to digital sheet music, this might be the perfect gift. Being able to download music onto an iPad is extremely helpful, especially for gig music, getting your teacher's bowings, etc. etc. You can also upload your own sheet music to the iPad for travel, so you can have everything you want, without having to transport books and sheets. Get the largest screen you can afford, so that you can see a full page. The Apple pencil allows you to mark the part with fingerings and bowings. Once you get it you'll also need to download the Forscore app. It's easier than you might think!

PageFlip Firefly
Once you have the iPad, you'll want the page-turner! Here is a good one - a pedal that allows you to turn pages as you read music from a tablet. This one uses Bluetooth and works with keyboard-compatible iPad and Android apps. Just make sure, when you are tapping your toes, that you don't accidentally turn the page!

Blackwing Pencils
Of course, nobody is giving up paper sheet music any time soon, so we could all use some really, really good pencils for marking music. These are some of the best - nice and dark, with good erasers. Get a 12-pack, add on some pencil magnets so they will stick to a music stand, and give them as little gifties to students or musician colleagues!

Cool Beans
Here is a fun book of easy character duets for the beginning pupil to play with his or her teacher. Composed by Celia Cobb and Naomi Yandell, two pedagogues based in Cambridge, U.K., the pieces draw on a wide range of moods, styles and playing techniques. My favorite? "Watch Out (for the REALLY SCARY MONSTER).

The STRAD Method
Hollywood's foremost recording violinist Bruce Dukov has created an online course for advanced violinists, to increase the accuracy and speed of your three- and four-octave arpeggios, in short order! "STRAD" stands for "Shortcuts to Rapid Arpeggio Domination." The course is $199 - use the code VC100 for a $100 discount, good through Dec. 31, 2023. (Read our article about the course here.)

Wee Violin
Designed for teachers to use with the youngest students ("Pre-Twinklers" in Suzuki terms), here is a book of 33 traditional tunes from around the world designed to support instruction, incorporating singing and playing to make things like drills and directions and more enjoyable and musical. (Read our article about this book here.)

RECORDINGS - our TOP 10 of 2023

Violinist Hilary Hahn. Photo by Chris Lee.

Eugéne Ysaÿe’s Six Sonatas for solo violin
Hilary Hahn, violin

Hilary Hahn created this recording to commemorate the centenary of Eugene Ysaÿe's six sonatas, which are among the supreme feats of technical and musical virtuosity in the violin repertoire. It's a must-listen! Read our interview with Hilary about this release here.

Raymond Scott Reimagined
Quartet San Francisco
Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band
Take 6

It's a rollicking-fun 14-track homage to the 20th-century American composer, band leader and producer - Raymond Scott, who you may haven't heard of, but you have probably heard his music, which was widely quoted in Merrie Melodies cartoons featuring Bugs Bunny, Daffy and pals.

Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers.

Fandango
Anne Akiko Meyers, violin
Arturo Márquez, composer
Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel, conducting
Dmitriy Lipay, producer

Anne Akiko Meyers performs Arturo Márquez's new violin concerto, "Fandango" in this live performance from October 2022 at Disney Hall. The recording has been nominated for a 2024 Grammy.

Max Bruch & Florence Price Violin Concertos
Randall Goosby, violin
Philadelphia Orchestra, Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducting

Randall Goosby's album showcases composer Florence Price's nearly-forgotten Violin Concertos, Nos. 1 and 2, as well as Max Bruch's ever-popular Concerto No. 1.

The Emerson String Quartet: Paul Watkins, Lawrence Dutton, Philip Setzer and Eugene Drucker.

Infinite Voyage
Emerson String Quartet

After 47 years of award-winning music-making, the Emerson String Quartet played their last concerts this year. This is their final album, featuring Schoenberg's Quartet No. 2 for soprano and string quartet (with soprano Barbara Hannigan) alongside works by Hindemith, Berg, and Chausson's Chanson perpétuelle.

Mythes
James Ehnes, violin
Andrew Armstrong, piano

Composed in 1915, Karol Szymanowski’s "Mythes" is the opening work on this eclectic recital album from James Ehnes and Andrew Armstrong. Also on this program is Handel’s D major violin sonata and a selection of short miniatures and encores.

Violinist Joshua Bell.

Butterfly Lovers
Joshua Bell, violin
Singapore Chinese Orchestra, Tsung Yeh conducting

Here is an original and beautiful version of the Butterfly Lover's Concerto - Joshua Bell plays is it in an adaptation that features an ensemble of traditional Chinese instruments.

Beethoven for Three series, Symphony No. 6 "Pastorale" and Op. 1, No. 3
Leonidas Kavakos, violin
Emanuel Ax, piano
Yo-Yo Ma, cello

Performed by a powerhouse combination of musicians Leonidas Kavakos, Emanuel Ax, and Yo-Yo Ma, here is Beethoven's "Pastorale" Symphony, reimagined for trio by Shai Wosner.

Violinist Eldbjørg Hemsing. Photo by Gregor Hohenberg.

Arctic
Eldbjørg Hemsing, violin

Norwegian violinist Eldbjørg Hemsing's "Arctic" is a musical journey through a stunningly beautiful region and a celebration of a fragile and largely unexplored ecosystem threatened by climate change.

The Stradgrass Sessions
Tessa Lark, violin

Can you play bluegrass on a Stradivari violin? Tessa Lark did, and here is the resulting album, featuring a fusion of classical, folk and bluegrass, with special guest artists Sierra Hull, Edgar Meyer, Michael Cleveland and Jon Batiste.

The Viano Quartet: (L-R) Tate Zawadiuk, Aiden Kane, Lucy Wang and Hao Zhou.

Portraits
Viano Quartet
Lucy Wang, violin
Hao Zhou, violin
Aiden Kane, viola
Tate Zawadiuk, cello

The Viano Quartet concluded its residency at the Curtis Institute (2021-2023) with the release of its debut album on Curtis Studio, with Schubert’s "Death and the Maiden"; the second movement from Florence Price’s Quartet in G major; Tchaikovsky’s slow movement from his String Quartet No. 1 and the first movement from Ginastera’s Quartet No. 1.

Solo
Isabelle Faust, violin

Just a stunning and beautiful album of solo violin works from the second half of the Baroque era, from Biber’s famous "Guardian Angel" Passacaglia to Guillemain’s "Amusements" and sonatas and fantasias by Matteis (father and son), Pisendel and Vilsmayr.

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The 2023 Violinist.com Holiday Gift Guide

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