Classical Post: History Silenced the Family Violin, It’s Resumed Through Virgil Boutellis-Taft

Classical Post
Anna Heflin

Virgil Boutellis-Taft’s playing throughout his debut orchestral album with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Incantation, is brilliant, effusive and gripping. He glides above the orchestra while maintaining a core to the tone and unfolding gorgeous intricate phrases. But it is the depth of his relationship with the material, unique combination of works and history behind why he programmed this CD the way that he did that make this album exceptional. History had silenced Virgil Boutellis-Taft’s family violin. Through Incantation, the violin sings again in an unfurling of seemingly contradictory emotions which are all centered around melancholy. 

Read more here.

Classic FM: Virgil Boutellis-Taft with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Classic FM

A thrilling new arrangement of Saint-Saëns's Danse Macabre by Paul Bateman, performed by Virgil Boutellis-Taft and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

To watch, click here.

Blogcritics Exclusive Interview: Violinist Virgil Boutellis-Taft on New Album Incantation

Blogcritics
Jon Sobel

With his sophomore album Incantation just out, French violinist Virgil Boutellis-Taft was set to bring his “beautiful, front-loaded, and siren-like tone” and “impressive virtuosity” to Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall on April 28. The concert will be rescheduled because of the COVID-19 crisis, but in the meantime, here is our enlightening interview with this exciting musician.

Boutellis-Taft recorded the album with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The program for the concerts includes The Soloists of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and includes most of the music from the album: Bruch’s “Kol Nidrei”; Vitali’s Chaconne in G Minor; Saint-Saëns’ “Danse Macabre” (in a new arrangement by Paul Bateman); Tchaikovsky’s “Sérénade Mélancolique”; Bloch’s “Nigun” (from Baal Shem); Chausson’s Poème for Violin and Piano; and Piazzola’s “Oblivion.”

We had a chance to speak with Boutellis-Taft as he was gearing up for a season that was planned to feature concerts at the Berlin Philharmonie, the Salle Gaveau, the Musée d’Orsay, and Cadogan Hall in London as well as Carnegie in New York.

Read the interview here.

The Violin Channel: Violinist Virgil Boutellis-Taft’s New CD, "Incantation"

The Violin Channel

Aparté Records has announced the release of French violinist Virgil Boutellis-Taft’s new album: Incantation.

Recorded with conductor Jac van Steen and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the disc features Bruch’s ‘Kol Nidrei’ , Vitali’s Chaconne, Saint-Saëns’ Danse Macabre, Tchaikovsky’s Sérénade Mélancolique, Bloch’s Nigun, Chausson’s Poème, and Umebayashi’s Yumeji’s Theme.

“These works have long inspired me and what’s interesting is to bring them together and make them speak to each other…” Virgil told The Violin Channel.

To read more about Incantation, click here.

Violinist.com: For the Record, Virgil Boutellis-Taft's 'Incantation'

Violinist.com
Laurie Niles

Welcome to "For the Record," Violinist.com's weekly roundup of new releases of recordings by violinists, violists, cellists and other classical musicians. We hope it helps you keep track of your favorite artists, as well as find some new ones to add to your listening!

Here's a young violinist worth a good listen, and he will also be performing in Carnegie Hall April 28. French violinist Virgil Boutellis-Taft presents a wide-ranging album that includes Bruch's Kol Nidrei; Vitali's Chaconne; Saint-Saëns, Danse macabre (a world premiere arrangement by Paul Bateman); Tchaikovsky's Sérénade mélancolique; Bloch's Nigun (from Baal Shem); Chausson's Poème; and Shigeru Umebayashi's "Yumeji’s Theme" from Wong Kar-Wai's film "In the Mood for Love."

To read the full review, click here.