The category
Best Classical Instrumental Solo
A bridge between Baroque tradition and the 21st century.
Separated by centuries, the music of Bach and Silvestrov is united by purity, spirituality, and clarity of expression—offering hope, solace, and balance in a turbulent world.
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Worldwide release · May 29, 2026 · Onyx Classics
Behind the recording
“The rehearsals and performances that followed were remarkable for their unique unity of artistic and musical purpose.”
— Vadim Gluzman, album booklet
Bach — Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, BWV 1041 · I. Allegro moderato
October 2025 · Boulder
Scenes from five days of listening, rehearsal, and performance.
In the room,
the music takes shape.
The program
Six works. One arc.
Recorded in Boulder, Colorado, October 12–16, 2025. Total time 65:33.
- 01—03 Johann Sebastian Bach 1685–1750 Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, BWV 1041
- 04 Valentyn Silvestrov b. 1937 Serenade No. 1 from Triptych for violin & piano
- 05—07 Johann Sebastian Bach 1685–1750 Violin Concerto No. 2 in E major, BWV 1042
- 08 Valentyn Silvestrov b. 1937 Serenade No. 2 from Triptych for violin & piano
- 09—11 Johann Sebastian Bach 1685–1750 Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, BWV 1043
- 12—14 Valentyn Silvestrov b. 1937 Hommage à J.S.B. for violin & piano (quasi eco)
Press
Gluzman has wonderful tonal depth and sweetness and the ensemble partners him keenly, with lucid textures, clean lines and air to breathe between the phrases.
— The Strad
…Gluzman and Carrettin’s articulation, phrasing and embellishment constantly developing, with nothing sounding overdone. Silvestrov’s serenades for solo violin combine spaciousness, spiritual melancholy and polished beauty. His Homage adds piano and demands sensitive tone and voicing for its sparse writing to succeed, qualities Gluzman and Gajić supply in spades.
— The Strad
In these homages, the piano acts as a kind of echo chamber, prolonging and extending the violin’s lines. This is done especially effectively by pianist Mina Gajić in the second movement, where she shadows and supports Gluzman’s agitated arpeggiandos with unerring accuracy. Under Gajić’s fingers, the opening of the lullaby-like third also radiates Brahms-like lyricism.
— Gramophone
The movement carries an ethereal weightlessness, which enables Gluzman to execute solo passages with flair and finesse. The ensemble is punctuated by resonant low bass notes that ripple across the texture with the force of depth charges.
— Gramophone
The artists
Shared values.
Living sound.
Universally recognized among today’s top performing artists, Vadim Gluzman brings his extraordinary 1690 “ex-Leopold Auer” Stradivari to a collaboration rooted in curiosity and trust.
COmpass REsonance is a strings + keyboard ensemble based in Boulder, Colorado, co-led by violinist Zachary Carrettin and pianist/harpsichordist Mina Gajić. Using historical and modern bows and keyboards, the ensemble moves freely across centuries, cultures, and performance practices.
- Vadim Gluzmanviolin soloist
COmpass REsonance
- Mina Gajićharpsichord and piano
- Zachary Carrettinviolin
- Noel Martinviolin
- Michael L. Smithviolin
- Robyn Julyanviolin
- Michael Brookviola
- Joseph Howecello
- Nicholas Recuberdouble bass
COmpass REsonance with Vadim Gluzman and recording engineer Martin Nagorni.