We have thousands of human-written stories, discussions, interviews and reviews from today through the past 20+ years. Find them here:
'From the Top' Radio Program to Move to Texas
From the Top, the public radio program that features young classically-trained musicians, will move its home base from Boston to the Dallas area this spring, when it will officially become a program of North Texas’s not-for-profit public media organization KERA on June 1.
KERA includes an array of public television, digital, print and radio programs, including KERA-TV, KERA FM radio and more.
Founded at the New England Conservatory's Jordan Hall in Boston, From the Top began broadcasting in 2000 and was hosted by pianist Christopher O'Riley until 2018. The weekly radio program is distributed by National Public Radio (NPR) and currently heard on some 200 radio stations across the U.S. The program features young classical musicians, ages 8–18, in performance and in conversation with pianist Peter Dugan, its host since 2020. A team of co-hosts includes violinist Tessa Lark, clarinetist Alex Laing, pianist Orli Shaham and violinist Charles Yang.
"This was a forward-looking decision grounded in responsibility," said Gretchen Nielsen, From the Top's Executive Director. "From the Top has accomplished a tremendous amount with a small, highly effective team. But as the scope and complexity of our national work have grown, so has the need for a larger operational engine. By joining KERA, we’re ensuring that this work can evolve and expand – while staying true to our mission and the community of artists, families, and supporters who have sustained us from the beginning."
The "From the Top" radio program will continue to be distributed by NPR, with the show maintaining its current format and editorial team. Keep reading...
The Week in Reviews, Op. 537: Hilary Hahn's Return, with Philadelphia Orchestra
In an effort to promote the coverage of live violin performance, Violinist.com each week presents links to reviews of notable concerts and recitals around the world. Click on the highlighted links to read the entire reviews.
Hilary Hahn returned to the concert stage after a six-month break for injury recovery, performing Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No. 1 in D major with The Philadelphia Orchestra and Santtu-Matias Rouvali.
- Bach Track: "No surprise here: it was like she never left....Prokofiev requires not just a dextrous technician but an artist who can shift moods on a dime. Hahn fits that bill down to the ground."
Keep reading...
24 Violin Participants Named in 2026 Montreal International Music Competition
The Concours musical international de Montréal (Montreal International Music Competition or CMIM) has announced 24 competitors, aged 16 to 30, from 18 countries who will participate in the 2026 edition for violin.
The participants were chosen from more than 250 applicants, according to the CMIM. The Montreal competition will take place from May 27 to June 4 at Bourgie Hall and the Maison symphonique, with violinists competing for prizes and scholarships worth more than $150,000. Finalists will perform with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM) and conductor Sascha Goetzel on June 4 at the Maison symphonique in Montreal.
The 2026 violin participants will include:
Keep reading...
For the Record, Op. 370: Leila Schayegh, Esther Yoo, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Maiani da Silva
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.
Biber Rosary Sonatas (Rosenkranzonaten)
Leila Schayegh, violin
La Centifolia
Before the Bach Sonatas and Partitas, there were Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber's "Rosary Sonatas." In this cycle of 16 sonatas, Biber sets to music the mysteries of the various Rosary prayers that trace the life of Jesus. Biber made extensive use of "scordatura," requiring a new tuning for each sonata, and these sonatas are some of the most technically challenging of the Baroque era. Swiss violinist Leila Schayegh, who specializes in Baroque and period performance, performs with her ensemble La Centifolia. BELOW: Leila Schayegh performs Biber's Rosary Sonata No. 9.
Keep reading...
