The 2024 Violinist.com Holiday Gift Guide

December 2, 2024, 6:26 PM ·

Welcome to our 15th 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. I've included a list of items that I've run across in my adventures as editor of Violinist.com, as well as items from our sponsors and our "Top 15" list of new recordings this year.

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 recording 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.

LAURIE'S RECOMMENDATIONS

Learn Faster, Perform Better: A Musician's Guide to the Neuroscience of Practicing
A new take on how to practice effectively: Here is the much-awaited book from violist and neuroscientist Molly Gebrian, who has been featured multiple times on Violinist.com. In this book, she applies the science of learning and memory to practicing and performing, offering musicians tools for learning music more effectively and experiencing greater confidence on stage. Using laymen's terms, she covers scientific principles about how the brain learns new information and retains it, both short- and long-term, and how to make this learning reliable in high-pressure situations like performances.

Silk Violin Bag
Readers have recommended these silk violin bags by Spain-based designer Carmen Bruna, who also offers viola, cello and bass bags, with free shipping from her Etsy shop. They are made from silk, in a variety of patterns, with a drawstring to close the bag. She also offers instrument blankets, bibs and more.

The Instrumentalist
Author Harriet Constable paints a vivid picture of the violinist and composer Anna Maria de la Pietà, for whom Antonio Vivaldi wrote 28 of his violin concertos. But what of her works? "The fact that we have lost or deleted hundreds of years of creation that came from women is a very sad thing," said author Harriet Constable in our interview with her in August. (Read the interview here.) The book - geared toward adults and not children - is a page-turner!

Catrpilr Mute by Viowiess
Less volume, more overtones! Viowiess Catrpilr practice mute is designed to take off more volume while allowing you to hear intonation, overtones and other subtleties in your instrument's sound. It is lightweight, stays on with magnetic feet, and has a low profile so you can see over it. It also comes in cool colors! Use the discount VIOLINIST1524 for a 15% discount on anything purchased on www.viowiess.com now through Jan 15th.

Konig & Meyer Tablet Holder
Here is a very sturdy stand for the tablet that holds your music: the Konig & Meyer (K&M) Universal Tablet Holder. It's easy to switch from portrait to landscape mode, and it's also easy to remove the tablet when needed. A few caveats: this is a sturdy stand for the studio - but it isn't meant as a travel stand for gigging. Also, if your tablet is in a case (like an Otterbox, etc.), you'll need to remove it from the case.

Women Composer Bags, Shirts and more
If you wish to give a gift that celebrates female composers while also having a sense of humor, consider something like a Fanny Mendelssohn Fanny Pack or an Amy Beach Beach Towel, from from DoReMi Designs. There are also t-shirts, sweatshirts, stickers, mugs, laptop sleeves, notebooks and more. Other women composers featured include Clara Schumann, Cecile Chaminade, Hildegard von Bingen, Lili Boulanger, Nadia Boulanger, Francesca Caccini, Cecile Chaminade, Rebecca Clarke, Ruth Crawford Seeger, Florence Price, Clara Schumann, Barbara Strozzi and more.

BUY GIFTS FROM OUR SPONSORS

Carlo Lamberti X Bam outfit
This violin outfit is thoughtfully curated to support advancing players who need quality and reliability in their musical journey. At its core is the Carlo Lamberti Sonata violin, celebrated for its warm, resonant tone. Paired with a Presto Performance carbon fiber bow, this setup ensures a balance of responsiveness and durability, ideal for developing skills and confidence. Receive the 10% off with the promotion code: HOLIDAY10

Case Cover by SenCase
This durable violin and viola case cover protects your instrument case from moisture, dirt, and scratches while adding minimal weight. Made from water-repellent nylon with waterproof stitching and 15mm padding, it features a safety belt system with two straps for extra security. Inside, there's a convenient sheet music pocket. It also includes two comfortable, removable backpack straps with high-quality metal carabiners. The cover is temperature-resistant, keeping your instrument safe in cold conditions. Available in both violin and viola sizes, with or without an external pocket, and offered in a variety of colors with limited availability. Enjoy a 20% Christmas discount and free shipping in most states (AK, HI, and PR excluded). Please note that international shipping (outside the U.S.) is not free.

Pirastro's KorfkerRest LUNA
The Pirastro KorfkerRest LUNA for violin and viola focuses on ease of use while honoring Pirastro's commitment to comfort and tonal freedom. Made from a proprietary sound-optimized synthetic material, it is an ultra-light shoulder rest weighing only 32 grams for violin and 40 grams for viola that has been designed both ergonomically and acoustically.

Alessandro Roma 4/4 Violin
Ideal for the advancing student, the Alessandro Roma Violin Outfit delivers an impressive tonal and visual presence that truly stands out. Crafted from carefully selected spruce and highly flamed maple, these violins produce a strong, vibrant tone that responds well to a growing player’s touch. This outfit includes a Velocity Voyager bow, protective dart-shaped case, cleaning cloth, Bernardel rosin, an Eno tuner, and foam shoulder rest. The Alessandro Roma violin provides superior craftsmanship and sound, perfect for students ready to elevate their performance.

Il Cannone strings for Violin
Il Cannone for violin from Larsen Strings are designed to bring out the best in your instrument. Whether it’s the warm Il Cannone strings, the brilliant Il Cannone Direct & Focused or the powerful Il Cannone Gold, the family of strings will add colour and vibrancy to your violin. Enjoy a 10% discount using the code 24ViolinistComLarsen.

Fine Violins, Violas, Cellos, and Bows
In celebration of the opening of its new shop location at 3632 Sacramento St, San Francisco, Bay Fine Strings is offering a 10% off Holiday sale for the entire Bay Fine Strings collection of violins, violas, cellos, and bows. Please e-mail Thomas Yee or visit our website for inventory.

Peter Infeld – Now for Cello!
Peter Infeld strings are designed to support you in always sounding your best – whether you’re an experienced amateur or a professional at the highest level. They offer a substantial amount of sound colors, but leave you as a player in control at all times. The strings were developed to produce a special bow noise that contributes to a remarkable projection. Thomastik-Infeld’s brand new premium level Peter Infeld (R) strings for cello are designed for remarkable balance and outstanding projection.

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.

RECORDINGS - our TOP 15 of 2024

Violinist Augustin Hadelich. Photo by Suxiao Yang.

American Road Trip
Augustin Hadelich, violin
Orion Weiss, piano

Violinist Augustin Hadelich's American Road Trip travels the musical landscape of his adoptive homeland, with pianist Orion Weiss. The duo perform works by a melting pot of American composers, writing in the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries and drawing on a diversity of idioms, influences and inspirations … from European Romanticism to revivalist hymns; from blues and jazz to bluegrass; from the banjo and ukelele to Jimi Hendrix’s guitar, and from a little Mexican star to exquisite Japanese carvings. (Read our full interview with Augustin Hadelich about this album here.)

Le Temps retrouvé
Elena Urioste, violin
Tom Poster, piano

Violinist Elena Urioste and Tom Poster delve into a treasure trove of lesser-known works by composers Mel Bonis, Reynaldo Hahn, Lili Boulanger, and Gabriel Fauré. "The three sonatas on this album were all published from 1916–26, a musical period to which we often find ourselves drawn, when the world was changing beyond recognition," said Urioste. "Mel Bonis wrote more than 300 wonderful pieces. Her only violin sonata is an enrapturing, rhapsodic work that deserves to be a concert hall staple."

Conductor Klaus Mäkelä and violinist Janine Jansen.

Sibelius and Prokofiev 1 Violin Concertos
Janine Jansen, violin
Oslo Philharmonic, Klaus Mäkelä conducting

In 2024 Dutch violinist Janine Jansen's released first concerto album in nine years, pairing the Violin Concertos of Sibelius and Prokofiev. "In the Sibelius, her playing has an old-school expansiveness that makes itself felt immediately," said a review of this album that appeared in The Guardian: "For a bonus track there’s a tiny Sibelius duet for pizzicato violin and cello in which the uncredited cellist must surely be Mäkelä himself – a sweet sign-off to an unusually collegial concerto recording."

Ives Denk
Stefan Jackiw, violin
Jeremy Denk, piano

In celebration of the 150th anniversary of Ives’ birth, this recording features the composer’s four violin sonatas, recorded with violinist Stefan Jackiw, as well as remastered versions of Ives' Sonatas No. 1 and 2 for piano, from pianist Jeremy Denk’s 2010 debut recording.

Violinist Curtis Stewart.

American Counterpoints
Curtis Stewart, violin
Experiential Orchestra, James Blachly conducting

Nominated for a 2025 Grammy Award, this album celebrates Julia Perry’s centenary with the world premiere recording of her Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, featuring violinist Curtis Stewart. Conductor James Blachly said the concerto is "perhaps Perry’s ultimate compositional masterpiece. It is outrageous writing for violin - virtuosic and difficult and rewarding."

Sibelius: Works for Violin and Orchestra
James Ehnes, violin
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra; Edward Gardner, conducting

Sibelius - who entertained the prospect of a career as a professional violinist - wrote just one violin concerto. But the instrument continued to play an important role in his composing, and his numerous other works for violin and orchestra deserve attention. In this album, Canadian violinist James Ehnes presents not just the concerto, but also Sibelius's Humoresques, Op. 87 and 89, Serenades Op. 69 and his three-movement Suite Op. 117.

Violinist Vilde Frang.

Elgar Violin Concerto
Vilde Frang, violin
Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Robin Ticciati conducting

Norwegian violinist Vilde Frang has appeared frequently on concert stages throughout the world this year, and her album features the Elgar Violin Concerto - "actually a very late discovery for me, but it didn't take me a long time to become a very passionate ambassador for this piece. " The album also features two short pieces, Elgar’s "Carissima," performed with pianist Thomas Hoppe, and The Gardens at Eastwell "A Late Summer Impression" by William Lloyd Webber.

Rêves
Philippe Graffin, violin
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Jean-Jacques Kantorow, conducting
Marisa Gupta, piano

This album marks the world premiere recording of the complete Violin Concerto in E minor by Belgian virtuoso violinist and composer Eugene Ysaÿe. Philippe Graffin’s close collaboration with Ysaÿe aficionado Xavier Falques led to a page-by-page analysis and painstaking reconstruction of the musical puzzle pieces, resulting in this recording of the full, three-movement concerto. It also includes another violin concerto by Ysaÿe, "Poème concertant," which was also recently discovered in manuscript form. Graffin is a professor at the Paris and Brussels Conservatoires.

Violist Timothy Ridout.

A Lionel Tertis Celebration
Timothy Ridout, viola
Frank Dupree, piano
James Baillieu, piano

British violist Timothy Ridout, winner of the 2016 Lionel Tertis Competition, pays tribute to this key figure in the history of the viola - Lionel Tertis (1876-1975). The album features music by the master's friends, teachers and students alongside some of Tertis' own works and transcriptions.

Corelli Violin Sonatas, Op. 5
Rachel Barton Pine, violin
David Schrader, keyboard
John Mark Rozendaal, cello
Brandon Acker, guitar

Violinist Rachel Barton Pine performs the Violin Sonatas, Op. 5 of the Italian Baroque composer Arcangelo Corelli. First published in 1700, these sonatas feature exceptionally difficult techniques for the violin soloist and are important precursors of both sonata and concerto forms. Pine and her colleagues performed on a variety of period instruments, and Pine improvised her ornaments during the recording sessions using a historically informed approach.

Violinist Isabelle Faust. Photo by Marco Borggreve.

Benjamin Britten Violin Concerto and Chamber Works
Isabelle Faust, violin
Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Jakub Hruša conducting
Alexander Melnikov, piano
Boris Faust, viola

German violinist Isabelle Faust performs Benjamin Britten's 1939 Violin Concerto. The album also features a number of other early chamber works by Britten, notably, the recorded premiere of his Two Pieces for Violin, Viola and Piano from 1929, which Faust performs with her brother, violist Boris Faust, and pianist Alexander Melnikov. There is also the Suite for Violin and Piano, Op 6, and "Reveille," both from the late 1930s. .

Gabriel Fauré
Renaud Capuçon, violin
Guillaume Bellom, piano
Julia Hagen, cello
Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne

Yes, Gabriel Fauré did indeed write a violin concerto, but there are few recordings of it. "It's a very, very rarely done concerto," said French violinist Renaud Capuçon, "It's a 15-minute piece - wonderful." The concerto, composed for Fauré's friend Ovide Musin, was meant to be three movements, but only the first movement "Allegro" has survived. This album also includes other works by Fauré: Masques et Bergamasques, Pelléas et Mélisande, Ballade, Op. 19, Pavane, Op. 50 and Berceuse, Op. 16.

Violist Diyang Mei. Photo by Stefan Höderath.

Viola Concertos by York Bowen and William Walton
Diyang Mei, viola
Deutsche Radio Philharmonie, Brett Dean, conducting

Both William Walton and Edwin York Bowen had the renowned violist Lionel Tertis in mind when they composed the concertos on this album. Violist Diyang Mei, first principal violist of the Berliner Philharmoniker, has been steadily advancing his international career since his first place win at the ARD International Music Competition in 2018. Conductor Brett Dean is also a violist and a composer.

Anders Hillborg: Violin Concerto No. 2
Eldbjørg Hemsing, violin
Hannah Holgersson, soprano
Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Esa-Pekka Salonen conducting

In celebration of the 70th birthday of Swedish composer Anders Hillborg, this album features some of his most recognizable works. "I was introduced to Anders Hillborg’s sound world a few years ago and I just found it fascinating, beautiful, and exciting," said violinist Eldbjørg Hemsing. "Playing his second violin concerto is exhilarating: spanning from the most ethereal moments you’ll ever hear to memorable, catchy rhythmic sections, this concerto takes you on an unforgettable journey."

Partita Party
Atar Arad, viola

Inspired by J.S. Bach's Partita No. 2 for Solo Violin, acclaimed Israeli violist and IU Jacobs School pedagogue Atar Arad had a little "Partita Party." Arad asked four of his friends and former students to join him in completing an all-new Partita in the same form as Bach's: Duncan Steele composed the Allemanda; Yuval Gotlibovich the Corrente; Melia Watras the Sarabanda; and Rose Wollman the Giga. The Partita concludes with Arad's own Ciaccona, which he wrote for the 2021 Hindemith International Viola Competition.

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The 2024 Violinist.com Holiday Gift Guide

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