The three-time Delos recording artist Piet Koornhof, one of South Africa's most acclaimed violinists, heard in partnership with distinguished pianist Truida van der Walt, has assembled a program of mostly 20th c. works that focus more on his instrument's lyrical, "singing" qualities than it's virtuosic possibilities. Remembrances, derived from John Williams' suite from his Schindler's List film score, conveys deep sentiment and searing nostalgia. The remaining short selections testify to his instrument's supreme ability to express haunting musical beauty and profound emotion.

Classical Music

BEETHOVEN, L.: Piano Quintet in E-Flat Major / MOZART, W.A.:

Mercadante, S.: Flute Concertos Nos. 1, 2 and 6

Diamond, D.: Concert Piece / Tournier, M.: 2 Preludes Romant

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Among the most notable regional sources of soulful and spellbinding new music have been the Baltic nations- once part of the Soviet Union- with Arvo Part (Estonia), Peteris Vasks (Latvia) and Balys Dvarionas (Lithuania) among the region’s most prominent composers. Works for violin and piano by all three of these Baltic voices- as well as by Giya Kancheli (from Georgia, another former Soviet republic) – are featured in this hypnotically beautiful album that celebrates, in part, the composers’ new-found freedom from a repressive Soviet regime. Distinguished South African violinist Piet Koornhof- one of Delos’s most prolific recording artists- is partnered here beside the renowned American pianist Thomas Hecht in a program largely characterized (as Koornhof puts it) by “stillness and closeness to the heart,” as well as “strong meditative and spiritual overtones.”

Classical Music