Schumann: Violin Sonatas

This new release features Schumann violin sonatas played with period instruments, including an Anselmo Bellosio violin, ca. 1770 with Gut strings and an Erard piano, serial number 32602, built in 1862. Maalismaa and Holmström have worked as a duo since 2011. They are co-directors of both the Ristiveto Festival, which specializes in performing late 19th-century music on period instruments, and the Classical Hietsu concert series in Helsinki. Finnish violinist Eriikka Maalismaa plays in a variety of ensembles and collectives and visits frequently as leader of orchestras. She is fascinated by saying Yes to things that scare her. Performing music of our time as well as collaborating with composers is one of her biggest interests. She finds it a musician’s duty and a privilege. As a quite natural part of the profession, Eriikka loves setting her violin up with raw gut strings and finding sounds and colors that are no longer available to listeners of modern-day instrumentalism. Emil Holmström has performed as a soloist, chamber musician, and ensemble keyboard player throughout Europe, the Americas, Japan, and Australia. He appears frequently at Finnish music festivals and concert series and has been a featured soloist with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Lapland Chamber Orchestra, and the Lahti Symphony Orchestra. An ardent champion of new music, Holmström is a member Finnish groups defunensemble, the Uusinta Ensemble, and the Tristero Piano Trio, and plays as a regular guest with the Avanti! Chamber Orchestra.