"Stephane Grappelli & Jean-Luc Ponty" is a remarkable collaboration between two of the finest jazz violinists of their generation. Released in 1976 on Accord, this album blends swing, European jazz sensibilities, and virtuosic improvisation in a seamless musical dialogue. Grappelli’s lyrical phrasing complements Ponty’s innovative fusion techniques, resulting in an engaging and sophisticated listening experience. From the playful energy of "Bowing Bowing" to the sultry charm of "The Girl From Ipanema" and the intricate interplay in "Violin Summit No. 2," the album showcases the duo’s mastery of melody and rhythm. Each track is carefully arranged, demonstrating both technical prowess and heartfelt expression, making it an essential listen for lovers of violin-driven jazz.

"Liarbird" is an exceptional album by Norwegian jazz violinist Ola Kvernberg, showcasing his masterful approach to modern jazz and post-bop. Released in 2011 on Jazzland, the album captures Kvernberg's dynamic range and technical brilliance while blending elements of contemporary jazz with intricate improvisation and expressive melodies. Each track is a journey, from the driving rhythm of "Liarbird" to the contemplative textures of "Wintermelon" and the rhythmic sophistication of "Cobb." Kvernberg's virtuosic violin work is complemented by a talented ensemble, delivering a sound that is both adventurous and accessible. "Liarbird" demonstrates a fearless exploration of harmonic complexity, rhythmic innovation, and melodic inventiveness, establishing Ola Kvernberg as one of the most compelling voices in modern jazz and a true innovator in the post-bop tradition.

With a repertoire heavily centered on twentieth and twenty first century composers, Patricia Kopatchinskaja definitely does not play your grandmother's Beethoven. Actually, the first-movement Presto of her performance of the Op. 47 sonata is downright startling at first. Extremely aggressive and energetic, Kopatchinskaja's playing lives up to her stated desire to perform Beethoven in a more "excessive manner." Despite the initially jarring verticality of her playing, the spontaneity and excitement that she brings to the "Kreutzer" Sonata is quickly engaging and infectious.

Capuçon, with pianist Jérôme Ducros, also his partner for a Virgin Classics Schubert recital released in 2006, has selected favourite encore pieces such as Kreisler’s mercurial Liebesleid and Dvorák's lilting Humoreske (arranged by Heifetz), tender episodes like Debussy's Clair de lune and Tchaikovsky's Valse sentimentale, works by the Romantics – Schubert (with the Ave Maria arranged by Capuçon himself), Mendelssohn and Schumann (transcriptions of numbers from the song cycle Frauenliebe und –Leben), and by composers of the 20th century – Strauss, Prokofiev, Szymanowski, Stravinsky, Korngold and the Romanian Grigoras Dinicu (reputedly judged by Heifetz as the greatest violinist he had ever heard).

This CD is part of a series “Robert Schumann and his family and friends” which is dedicated to representing a cross section of works by Schumann and his family. Woldemar Bargiel was Clara’s halfbrother. The works include Clara Schumann’s Three Romances for violin and piano Op.22 and Joachim’s Romance for violin and piano in C major. The performances are on period instruments.

What sweeps us off our feet, casts a spell upon us, and charms us? What befuddles, disconcerts, and bewitches us? What is the cause of so much anguish, but also of even more bliss, joy, and pleasure? What else but passion, an “intense, driving, or overmastering feeling” as states the dictionary, although words often only limply convey its full meaning. Music, on the other hand, seems to entertain intimate ties with passion.

A new recording from violinist Rachel Podger is always worth attention. And before you even get to appreciating the first-class performances - faithful realizations of Bach’s Art of Fugue skillfully arranged for strings - you notice the immediate, vibrant presence of the instruments. The sound is stunning, reminiscent of the early days of digital recording, when listeners used to marvel at how realistic the sound was. Channel Classics has been doing this forever; we just may have forgotten how special it is when it’s done right.

The world-renowned early music specialist and keyboard player Ton Koopman and the violinist Catherine Manson perform the six Sonatas for Harpsichord and Violin, BWV 1014-1019 of Johann Sebastian Bach on this new 2-CD set for Challenge Classics. Their previous collaboration on the label was an outstanding recording of the music of Buxtehude. Catherine Manson enjoys a versatile performing career specialising in period performance as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral leader. She became the current leader of the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra in 2006, and as first violinist of the London Haydn Quartet has been involved in a critically acclaimed series of recordings of the Haydn quartets for Hyperion.