For the Record, Op. 338: Francesca dePasquale; Hans Christian Aavik; Daniel Rowland; Neave Trio

June 19, 2025, 2:36 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! Click on the highlighted links to obtain each album or learn more about the artists.

Violinist Francesca dePasquale. Photo by Alexandra DeFurio.

Beethoven Violin Sonatas, Op. 30
Francesca dePasquale, violin
Peter Takács, piano

Violinist Francesca dePasquale and pianist Peter Takács present Beethoven Violin Sonatas, Op. 30, three sonatas that mark the beginning of Beethoven’s "heroic" middle period. Completed in 1802 and dedicated to Tsar Alexander I of Russia, they were written during one of the most tumultuous years of Beethoven’s life. Around this time, he penned the now-famous Heiligenstadt Testament, a poignant letter to his brothers revealing his despair over his worsening hearing loss. Though it reads like a farewell, the letter ends with a vow to persevere in the service of art. Francesca is currently a violin faculty member at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and previously was a member of the violin faculty for the Juilliard School Pre-College Program. A graduate of the Juilliard and Colburn Schools, Francesca studied with Itzhak Perlman, Catherine Cho, and Robert Lipsett. BELOW: Beethoven Violin Sonata No. 8 in G Major, Op. 30 No. 3: I. Allegro assai.

Bruch/Erkki-Sven Tüür Violin Concertos
Hans Christian Aavik, violin
Odense Symphony Orchestra, Gemma New conducting

In his debut album, Estonian violinist Hans Christian Aavik presents Bruch’s First Concerto alongside Estonian composer Erkki-Sven Tüür’s single-movement Violin Concerto No. 2, "Angel’s Share" (2017). Aavik is the First prize winner of the 2022 Carl Nielsen International Violin Competition who has been studying at the Kronberg Academy with Erik Schumann. BELOW: Hans Christian Aavik performs Erkki-Sven Tüür's "Angel's Share" Violin Concerto No. 2 with Württembergisches Kammerorchester Heilbronn, in Oct. 2024.

Three Curious Loves
Daniel Rowland, violin
Arethusa Quartet
Žebeljan Orchestra, David Cohen conducting

"My language comes from Balkan music, because that is me - I was raised in the region that borders Rumania, Serbia and Hungary - these particles that were hovering in the air when I was a child, I just grabbed them" - this is what Serbian composer Isidora Zebeljan (Belgrade, 1967-2020) said of her work. This album is an homage to her chamber and orchestral works. Violinist Isidora Zebelian described Zebeljan as a "radiant, incredibly warm, extremely funny woman who turned into a dynamo of energy, fantasy, intensity and inspiration as soon as she talked about her music. To me, her music is a crystallization of Balkan song and dance, seen through her completely unique prism." BELOW: Three Curious Loves (Concerto for Violin and Orchestra)

La Mer – French Works for Piano Trio
Neave Trio
Anna Williams, violin
Mikhail Veselov, cello
Eri Nakamura, piano

La Mer is a celebration of French works for piano trio focused on three pieces composed around the turn of the twentieth century – Trio No. 2, Op. 92 in E minor by Camille Saint-Saëns; Soir-Matin, Op. 76 by Mel Bonis; and La Mer by Claude Debussy, arranged by Sally Beamish. "Together, these works form a richly textured soundscape, capturing the sea’s many forms: majestic, mysterious, and vulnerable," wrote "the Neave Trio" in their publicity materials. "In creating La Mer, we sought not only to explore the emotional range of this repertoire, but to reflect on our shared connection to the natural world — and the urgent need to preserve its beauty." BELOW: La Mer: II. Jeux de vagues:

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. 338: Francesca dePasquale; Hans Christian Aavik; Daniel Rowland; Neave Trio

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