For the Record, Op. 232: Ellinor D'Melon; Ontario Pops Orchestra

March 30, 2023, 12:42 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 Ellinor D'Melon. Photo by Paul Marc Mitchell.

Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto and Lalo 'Symphonie Espagnole'
Ellinor D'Melon, violin
RTE Symphony Orchestra, Jaime Martin conducting

Born to Cuban and Jamaican parents, Ellinor D’Melon started to learn the violin at the age of two. Today at 20, "she is one of those rare players who gives the impression that her command – both technical and musical is total" (The Irish Times). She won first prize at several important competitions: the International Competition for Young Violinists in Honour of Karol Lipinski and Henry Wieniawski, Debut Berlin and Novosibirsk competitions. This is Ellinor’s debut album. BELOW: Ellinor D'Melon talks about recording with two different Guarneri Del Gesù violins: the c. 1744 'Sainton' for the Tchaikovsky and the c. 1724 'Caspar Hauser' for the Lalo:

Breaking Barriers
Ontario Pops Orchestra, Carlos Bastidas conducting
Yanet Campbell Secades, violin
Tanya Charles Iveniuk, violin
Marlene Ngalissamy, bassoon

Inspired by watching broadcasts of the Boston Pops Orchestra as a youngster in his native Colombia, Bastidas founded the Ontario Pops Orchestra in 2014 to foster musicianship in a positive, inclusive and supportive environment. One of the most diverse professional orchestras in Canada, the Toronto-based orchestra performs classical and popular music highlights the work of women and BIPOC composers and instrumentalists. In this debut album for the OPO, three Black women are spotlighted as soloists: violinists Tanya Charles Iveniuk, Yanet Campbell Secades and bassoonist Marlene Ngalissamy. The recording includes concertos by Bach and Vivaldi alongside Holst’s St. Paul’s Suite, and "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" and Symphony No. 40 by Mozart. BELOW: Violinsit Yanet Campbell Secades performs the "Adagio" from Bach's solo Violin Sonata No. 3:

If you have a new recording you would like us to consider for inclusion in our "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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