For further information, please contact:
Rolf Schulte
rolfschulte75@gmail.com
————————————————————————————–
PHOTOS
Top five photos
by Tess Steinkolk
————————————————————————————–
REVIEWS
“Sensation at the Berlin Festival… [Complete Stravinsky violin works] …Paganini-like Violinist” —Helsingin Sanomat
“… a mixture of technical fireworks, emotional heat, and intellectual command the like of which is not often encountered in a debut – composers should always be so lucky!” —Donal Henahan, The New York Times
“Triumph of intelligent artistry” —Die Welt
“Rolf Schulte, one of the most distinguished violinists of our day, gave a remarkable violin-and-piano recital in Weill Hall. It began with Ravel’s early, one-movement Sonata for Violin and Piano… Then Elliott Carter’s violin solo Riconoscenza per Goffredo Petrassi, of which Mr. Schulte was the first American interpreter… For Mr. Schulte, it has become something like a signature tune. He plays with energetic litheness, a command of gesture, and a sense of humor that not all interpreters of Riconoscenza have matched. If his art were transmuted into dance, he would be a leading Balanchine dancer: the moves are precisely but not mechanically timed; destinations are exactly reached; dynamics of attack and repose are sure; and as he moves one’s mind moves with him… What he does is beautiful.” —Andrew Porter, The New Yorker
“Schulte’s command of the difficult solo part was absolute; it was amazing playing, but no one could listen in amazement because this was no mere stunt. Schulte’s exact intonation over rapid shifts of register and position and his chameleon tonal qualities created a musical character of density, captivating quirk, and worthy substance – someone, in short, that we could care about.” [Première of Donald Martino’s Violin Concerto] —Richard Dyer, Boston Globe
“Schulte’s performance was Paganinian in its technical brilliance, but also uncommonly expressive and giving…” —Donal Henahan, The New York Times
“Young children starting out on the violin are probably going to imagine themselves as… the supreme virtuoso playing the great concertos with the great orchestras. But there are many other kinds of violinist to be:… the kind exemplified by Rolf Schulte, who at a recent recital showed some of the deep and intense rewards of being a contemporary virtuoso… Always a vivid performer… he can drive the rhythm, giving a vigorous emphasis to downbeats… Webern’s Four Pieces were magnificently presented, both by Mr. Schulte and his accompanist, James Winn. They took exquisite care over detail and over matching one another in the quiet music, where the feeling was still but fully alive.” —Paul Griffiths, The New York Times
“…from the first phrase of Mozart’s sublime Sonata in E minor, K. 304, Schulte transported the thoughts of this listener… from outer to inner weather. Schulte, who plays on the international concert circuit… plays with keen virtuosity… and a sound palette ranging from the silken to the disturbingly raw. Yet every phrase seems generated by a musically reasoned, intellectually resonant idea… The last movement of [Busoni] Sonata No. 2 was particularly remarkable.” —Anthony Tommasini, Boston Globe
————————————————————————————–
AUDIO SAMPLES
Robert Schumann: Phantasiestück No. 1, Op. 73 with Christopher O’Riley / Centaur CRC 2097
Arnold Schönberg: Concerto Op. 36, 3rd Mvt. (excerpt) with Philharmonia Orchestra London, Robert Craft Cond. / Naxos 8.557528
————————————————————————————–
SELECTED DISCOGRAPHY
1. Schumann – Works for Violin and Piano, with Christopher O’Riley, piano // Centaur CRC 2097
2. Schönberg – Schönberg Vol. 10 Violin Concerto, with Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Robert Craft // Naxos 8.557528
3. Carter – Music of Elliott Carter Vol. 6 Violin Concerto, Four Lauds, with Odense Symphony Orchestra, Justin Brown, conductor // Bridge 9177
4. Schönberg – Schönberg Vol. 12 Phantasy Op. 47, with Christopher Oldfather // Naxos 8.557533
5. Carter – Music of Elliott Carter Vol. 2 Duo for Violin and Piano, Riconoscenza per Goffredo Petrassi for Violin // Bridge 9044
6. Carter – Music of Elliott Carter Vol. 8 Due Duetti // Bridge 9314A/B
7. Stravinsky – The Composer Vol. VII Histoire du Soldat // Music Masters Classics 67152-2
8. Babbitt – Sextets and The Joy of More Sextets, with Alan Feinberg // New World NW 364-2
9. Poul Ruders – Violin Concerto No. 1, with the Riverside Symphony conducted by George Rothman // Bridge 9057
10. Davidovsky – Synchronisms #9 // Wergo WER 2022-50
11. Ligeti – Horn Trio, with William Purvis and Alan Feinberg // Bridge 9012
12. Martino – Violin Sonata and Clarinet Trio, with Eliza Garth and Jean Kopperud // Centaur CRC 2321
13. Fred Lerdahl – Music of Fred Lerdahl Vol. 2 Waltzes and Duo for Violin and Piano, with James Winn // Bridge 9269
14. David Lang – Illumination Rounds, with Ursula Oppens // CRI CD 625
15. Schönberg – Schönberg Vol. 6 Chamber Symphony No. 1 Op. 9, Pierrot Lunaire Op. 21, Robert Craft conducting // Naxos 8.557523
16. Schönberg – Schönberg Vol. 4 Serenade Op. 24, Robert Craft conducting // Naxos 8.577522
17. Schönberg – Schönberg Vol. 11 Suite Op. 29, String Trio Op. 45 // Naxos 8.577529
18. Stravinsky – Agon violin solos, with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s conducted by Robert Craft // Naxos 8.577502
19. Wuorinen – String Trio, with John Graham and Fred Sherry // Nonesuch LP 71319
20. Wuorinen – Piano Trio, with Fred Sherry and Charles Wuorinen // Naxos 8.599264