Single out now: Hawijch Elders "Fritz Kreisler: Recitativo & Scherzo-Caprice, Op. 6"

Dutch violinist Hawijch Elders will release her debut album, Visions for Violin, on 23 October. Today sees the release of the first single, “Kreisler Recitativo & Scherzo-Caprice Op. 6.” In 2025, the violinist won the Premio Internazionale Antonio Mormone following a performance at Teatro alla Scala in Milan. As part of the prize, she was given the opportunity to record this solo album, which will be presented at the same theatre in Milan on 19 October.

Bringing together music from three different centuries, Visions for Violin explores a wide expressive and technical landscape of the instrument, from Bach's profound polyphony to the virtuoso traditions of Paganini, Ysaÿe, Kreisler and Ernst, alongside Vacchi's contemporary voice. At the heart of the recording is Elders' exploration of colour, tonal character and the possibilities of creating an individual musical voice through the violin. Rather than presenting virtuosity as an end in itself, Elders approaches the repertoire as a means of exploring the violin’s different expressive identities — its capacity for intimacy and reflection as well as brilliance and technical intensity.

“Visions for Violin is my homage to the violin, and to the visionaries who took it to new heights and depths — Bach, Paganini, Ysaÿe, Kreisler, Ernst and Vacchi. I owe my own voice to them."

— Hawijch Elders

The album marks a new chapter following Elders' victory at the Premio Internazionale Antonio Mormone in 2025. Her upcoming seasons include engagements with the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz, Concertgebouw Chamber Orchestra, Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra and Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini, alongside her debut in the Main Hall of Amsterdam's Concertgebouw. She has also been appointed Artist in Residence of the Antwerp Spring Festival and selected for the Classeek Ambassadors Programme 2026/27.

Hawijch Elders (b. 1998) is a Dutch violinist and winner of the Premio Internazionale Antonio Mormone 2025, recognised for her distinctive sound, expressive range and growing international profile. She recently made her debut at the Prinsengrachtconcert and has performed at leading venues including the Concertgebouw, Teatro alla Scala and BOZAR. As a chamber musician, she has collaborated with artists including Sol Gabetta, Valeriy Sokolov and Frank Braley. She is an Associate Artist of the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel.

2026–2027 Season Concert Highlights

• 17 October — Orchestra da Camera Canova IUC Rome, Italy
• 21 October — Orchestra da Camera Canova Sala Verdi Milan, Italy
• 26 October — Dutch Classical Talent Anniversary Concert TivoliVredenburg
• 26 December — Nürnberger Symphoniker, Del Maso Meistersingerhalle Nuremberg, Germany
• 5 February — Duo with Valère Burnon AMUZ, Antwerp, Belgium
• 15 January — Chamber Music Stadsgehoorzaal Leiden
• 21 January — Bursa State Symphony Orchestra, Glinka Atatürk Kongre ve Kültür Merkezi – Merinos, Turkey
• 20 February — Ciconia Consort Amare (Nieuwe Kerk), The Hague
• 21 February — Ciconia Consort Concertgebouw Amsterdam
• 18–23 April — Artist in Residence Antwerp Spring Festival, Belgium
• 21 May — VIRTUOOS, Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, Deseure TivoliVredenburg
• 23 May — VIRTUOOS, Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, Deseure Concertgebouw Amsterdam

TRACKLIST — VISIONS FOR VIOLIN

1. J. S. Bach — Chaconne (Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004) — 14:18

2. Niccolò Paganini — Caprice No. 24, Op. 1 — 4:46

3. Eugène Ysaÿe — Sonata No. 5 in G major, Op. 27: I. L'aurore — 4:23

4. Eugène Ysaÿe — Sonata No. 5 in G major, Op. 27: II. Danse rustique — 5:02

5. Fritz Kreisler — Recitativo & Scherzo-Caprice, Op. 6 — 4:46

6. Heinrich Wilhelm Ernst — Étude No. 6 in G major, "The Last Rose of Summer" — 9:52

7. Fabio Vacchi — Sonatina V* — 8:40