For the Record, Op. 291: Daniel Hope; Neave Trio; Mateusz Smoczynski

July 5, 2024, 1:55 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 Daniel Hope. Photo by Inge Prader.

Irish Roots
Daniel Hope, violin
Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra, Daniel Geiss conducting

Daniel Hope's latest album illustrates the violinist's deep connection to Ireland and its culture, which he inherited from his paternal great-grandfather who left Waterford for South Africa in the 1890s. It explores the intersection of folk and classical music with the support of guest artists, including Lúnasa, harpist Siobhán Armstrong, flutists Sir James and Lady Jeanne Galway, singer Rea Garvey, folk musician Ross Daly, and fellow violinist Simos Papanas. In addition to traditional Irish tunes such as "Danny Boy," the album also features compositions by 20th-century-composer Ina Boyle and harpist Turlough O’Carolan. BELOW: Daniel Hope plays while Rea Garvey sings the traditional Irish tune "Molly Malone":

Rooted
Neave Trio
Anna Williams, violin
Mikhail Veselov, cello
Eri Nakamura, piano

The Neave Trio's latest album features a range of works centered around folk music, including Bedrich Smetana's Piano Trio, Op. 15 in G minor; Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's Five Negro Melodies from Twenty-four Negro Melodies, Op. 59 No. 1; Josef Suk's Petit Trio, Op. 2 in C minor; and Frank Martin's Trio sur des mélodies populaires irlandaises. "Each composer drew deeply from their personal lives and cultural roots, creating musical stories that are both universal and intimate," said the group in a press release. "Working on these pieces has inspired us to reflect on our own stories and how our roots shape us artistically and beyond." BELOW: Josef Suk's Petit Trio, Op. 2: I. Allegro.

Adam's Apple: Violin Concertos by Smoczynski and Seifert
Mateusz Smoczynski, violin
Chopin University Chamber Orchestra, Rafal Janiak conducting.

"This album pays tribute to two significant figures: Zbigniew Seifert and John Adams," said Polish jazz violinist Mateusz Smoczynski, former Turtle Island Quartet who teaches jazz violin at the Chopin University of Music in Warsaw. The album includes Seifert's "Jazz Concerto" and Smoczynski's "Adam's Apple" - written by the violinist for orchestra and improvised violin. "The title 'Adam’s Apple' serves as both a reference to the biblical story of the poisoned apple and a direct homage to John Adams, whose influence profoundly shaped this composition," Smoczynski said. BELOW: a trailer for the album.

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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For the Record, Op. 291: Daniel Hope; Neave Trio; Mateusz Smoczynski

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