Hawijch Elders Presents Visions for Violin at Teatro alla Scala in Milan
Dutch violinist Hawijch Elders will present her debut album, Visions for Violin, at the Ridotto dei Palchi of Teatro alla Scala in Milan on 19 October 2026 at 12:00. The album, released by Decca Italy / Universal Music, will be available worldwide on 23 October.
Two singles from the album are already available, offering a first glimpse into a programme that explores the expressive and technical possibilities of the violin through works by composers including Johann Sebastian Bach, Niccolò Paganini, Eugène Ysaÿe, Fritz Kreisler and Heinrich Wilhelm Ernst. The album also features Sonatina V, a new work by Italian composer Fabio Vacchi, commissioned by the Premio Internazionale Antonio Mormone.
The album follows Elders’ First Prize at the 2025 Premio Internazionale Antonio Mormone, which marked a significant milestone in her artistic career.
Listen to the singles:
Single 1 – Kreisler: Recitativo and Scherzo-Caprice, Op. 6
Single 2 – Paganini: Caprice No. 24
PRE SAVE Visions for Violin will be released on 23 October 2026.
Ivan Petrenko Releases Debut Album with AVROTROS VIRTUOOS
Ukrainian pianist Ivan Petrenko has released his debut album as part of VIRTUOOS, AVROTROS’s talent development programme for emerging classical musicians.
Released on 28 August 2026, the album features music by Frédéric Chopin and Dmitri Shostakovich, alongside a newly commissioned work by young composer Lisa Weyrauther. Selected recordings are available on streaming platforms and YouTube.
His collaboration with VIRTUOOS will continue in May 2027, when he performs Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Radio Filharmonisch Orkest at TivoliVredenburg in Utrecht and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.
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Hawijch Elders at Prinsengrachtconcert 2026
Violinist Hawijch Elders will perform at the 2026 edition of the Prinsengrachtconcert on August 22 in Amsterdam. Hawijch will appear in the pre-programme of the concert, which will be broadcast live at 20:00 on NPO Klassiek.
Widely recognised as one of the Netherlands’ most celebrated classical music events, the Prinsengrachtconcert has become an iconic stage for outstanding artists and a unique moment in the country’s cultural calendar. Hawijch’s invitation to perform at this renowned concert represents another important milestone in her rapidly growing international career.
As part of the Soliartists roster, Hawijch continues to distinguish herself through her remarkable musical depth, artistic sensitivity, and compelling stage presence. Her recent artistic achievements and growing international recognition further confirm her position as one of the leading violinists of her generation.
Soliartists is honoured to support Hawijch in this exciting moment and looks forward to sharing this special concert with audiences in Amsterdam and beyond.
With collaboration with AVROTROS
Photo credit: AVROTROS / Manon van der Zwaal
Arjan Tien and Maria du Toit Release Clarinet Colours with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra
Clarinetist Maria du Toit, conductor Arjan Tien and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra join forces on Clarinet Colours, an album released by Channel Classics on 15 May 2026, dedicated to the contemporary clarinet repertoire of South Africa.
The album features three clarinet concertos by South African composers Conrad Asman, Roelof Temmingh and David Earl. Written for or dedicated to Maria du Toit, these works explore the instrument’s expressive versatility, bringing together contrasting colours, textures and musical energies.
Spanning over an hour of music, Clarinet Colours celebrates the richness of South African contemporary composition while highlighting the close collaboration between soloist, orchestra and conductor.
The release continues the artistic collaboration between Maria du Toit, Arjan Tien and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, presenting a distinctive collection of works that brings South African musical voices to an international audience.
Soliartists joins IAMA
Soliartists is now a proud member of the International Artist Managers' Association (IAMA), the only worldwide association for classical music artist management. It is dedicated to serving all its members' needs and it strives to raise professional standards in the business of music.
After joining the first official IAMA meeting in TivoliVredenburg, the agency is looking forward to the 35th IAMA Conference at the Estonian Concert Hall in Tallinn, where our newest artist Hans Christian Aavik will perform with the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra.
2026
October
Hawijch Elders Presents Visions for Violin at Teatro alla Scala in Milan
Dutch violinist Hawijch Elders will present her debut album, Visions for Violin, at the Ridotto dei Palchi of Teatro alla Scala in Milan on 19 October 2026 at 12:00. The album, released by Decca Italy / Universal Music, will be available worldwide on 23 October.
Two singles from the album are already available, offering a first glimpse into a programme that explores the expressive and technical possibilities of the violin through works by composers including Johann Sebastian Bach, Niccolò Paganini, Eugène Ysaÿe, Fritz Kreisler and Heinrich Wilhelm Ernst. The album also features Sonatina V, a new work by Italian composer Fabio Vacchi, commissioned by the Premio Internazionale Antonio Mormone.
The album follows Elders’ First Prize at the 2025 Premio Internazionale Antonio Mormone, which marked a significant milestone in her artistic career.
Listen to the singles:
Single 1 – Kreisler: Recitativo and Scherzo-Caprice, Op. 6
Single 2 – Paganini: Caprice No. 24
PRE SAVE Visions for Violin will be released on 23 October 2026.
August
Ivan Petrenko Releases Debut Album with AVROTROS VIRTUOOS
Ukrainian pianist Ivan Petrenko has released his debut album as part of VIRTUOOS, AVROTROS’s talent development programme for emerging classical musicians.
Released on 28 August 2026, the album features music by Frédéric Chopin and Dmitri Shostakovich, alongside a newly commissioned work by young composer Lisa Weyrauther. Selected recordings are available on streaming platforms and YouTube.
His collaboration with VIRTUOOS will continue in May 2027, when he performs Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Radio Filharmonisch Orkest at TivoliVredenburg in Utrecht and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.
LISTEN NOW
May
Hawijch Elders at Prinsengrachtconcert 2026
Violinist Hawijch Elders will perform at the 2026 edition of the Prinsengrachtconcert on August 22 in Amsterdam. Hawijch will appear in the pre-programme of the concert, which will be broadcast live at 20:00 on NPO Klassiek.
Widely recognised as one of the Netherlands’ most celebrated classical music events, the Prinsengrachtconcert has become an iconic stage for outstanding artists and a unique moment in the country’s cultural calendar. Hawijch’s invitation to perform at this renowned concert represents another important milestone in her rapidly growing international career.
As part of the Soliartists roster, Hawijch continues to distinguish herself through her remarkable musical depth, artistic sensitivity, and compelling stage presence. Her recent artistic achievements and growing international recognition further confirm her position as one of the leading violinists of her generation.
Soliartists is honoured to support Hawijch in this exciting moment and looks forward to sharing this special concert with audiences in Amsterdam and beyond.
With collaboration with AVROTROS
Photo credit: AVROTROS / Manon van der Zwaal
Arjan Tien and Maria du Toit Release Clarinet Colours with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra
Clarinetist Maria du Toit, conductor Arjan Tien and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra join forces on Clarinet Colours, an album released by Channel Classics on 15 May 2026, dedicated to the contemporary clarinet repertoire of South Africa.
The album features three clarinet concertos by South African composers Conrad Asman, Roelof Temmingh and David Earl. Written for or dedicated to Maria du Toit, these works explore the instrument’s expressive versatility, bringing together contrasting colours, textures and musical energies.
Spanning over an hour of music, Clarinet Colours celebrates the richness of South African contemporary composition while highlighting the close collaboration between soloist, orchestra and conductor.
The release continues the artistic collaboration between Maria du Toit, Arjan Tien and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, presenting a distinctive collection of works that brings South African musical voices to an international audience.
March
Soliartists joins IAMA
Soliartists is now a proud member of the International Artist Managers' Association (IAMA), the only worldwide association for classical music artist management. It is dedicated to serving all its members' needs and it strives to raise professional standards in the business of music.
After joining the first official IAMA meeting in TivoliVredenburg, the agency is looking forward to the 35th IAMA Conference at the Estonian Concert Hall in Tallinn, where our newest artist Hans Christian Aavik will perform with the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra.
February
Ivan Petrenko wins Fujairah International Piano Competition!
Ivan Petrenko (17) continues his remarkable rise on the international stage, most recently winning First Prize at the Fujairah International Piano Competition, following a series of major competition successes with a First Prize at the 15th International Volodymyr Krainev Competition for Young Pianists (Kharkiv Meets Zurich) and a Second Prize at the Robert Schumann Competition for Young Pianists, Düsseldorf - where no First Prize was awarded.
At the Robert Schumann Competition, Ivan performed Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major, KV 488 (first movement) with the Cologne Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Roc Fargas i Castells.
Ivan Petrenko is a Davidsbündler Music Academy Academist and, since September, is enrolled at Codarts Rotterdam, where he studies with Nino Gvetadze. Alongside his studies, he is already performing extensively as a soloist, including concerto appearances with orchestra.
At just 17 years old, Ivan Petrenko is firmly establishing himself as one of the most compelling young pianists of his generation.
2025
September
Arjan Tien appointed Principal Conductor in Cape Town!
Dutch conductor Arjan Tien has been appointed Principal Conductor of the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, starting from January 2026. Internationally praised for his refined sense of style, attention to detail, and infectious energy, Tien is regarded as one of the most dynamic conductors of his generation. He will work together with the new CEO, Adriaan Fuchs, who was Director of Festivals and Special Projects at Carnegie Hall.
Also a new appointment as Associate Professor
Alongside his new position in Cape Town, Tien will also join Stellenbosch University as Associate Professor, focusing on the training of the next generation of conductors. This appointment strengthens his long-standing commitment to education and talent development on an international level, hence his current position as Artistic Supervisor of the South African Conductors’ Competition.
Education, Mentorship, and International Collaborations
Maestro Tien is currently professor of conducting at the Conservatories of Amsterdam and Maastricht. He is a frequent guest lecturer for masterclasses in Amsterdam, Cape Town, Bucharest, and Copenhagen. Since 2021, he has been Chief Conductor of the VU Orchestra Amsterdam, works regularly with the Netherlands Student Orchestra, and has previously collaborated with the National Youth Orchestra of the Netherlands (JON). Later this year, he will conduct Mahler’s Ninth Symphony with the combined conservatory orchestras of Aachen, Maastricht, and Liège.
Previous Chief posts
As Chief Conductor of the Magogo Chamber Orchestra (2006–2012), Tien introduced innovative concert formats and led more than sixty world premieres. Simultaneously, he served as Chief Conductor of the Atheneum Chamber Orchestra at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague. Subsequently, he held the position of Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Marine Band of the Royal Netherlands Navy (2017–2024), earning international recognition with acclaimed Channel Classics recordings of rarely performed repertoire. A highlight was the original version of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, with Gershwin himself as the soloist.
International Guest Conductor
Tien is a regular guest with the North Netherlands Orchestra, Wermland Opera (Karlstad), PhilZuid, WDR Funkhausorchester (Cologne) and the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra. He has also appeared with the Residentie Orchestra, Netherlands Radio Philharmonic, Kyiv Symphony, Belgrade Philharmonic, Royal Bangkok Symphony, Antalya Symphony Orchestra, as well as in opera productions with Opera Zuid, Dutch Touring Opera, and Gauteng Opera (Johannesburg).
With his artistic vision, innovative approach, and dedication to education, Arjan Tien continues to make a lasting impact on the international music world.
June
Hawijch Elders wins Premio Mormone
The First Prize was awarded to Dutch violinist Hawijch Elders (b.1998), who played Paganini’s Concerto no.1 for the final performance at Teatro alla Scala! She receives a €30,000 cash prize, a recording of an album with Universal, plus three years of additional artistic management coordinated by the Fondazione La Società dei Concerti, with engagements in Italy and abroad. She also received the prize for the best performance of the commissioned work, Sonatina V by Fabio Vacchi.
Hawijch Elders is a Dutch Violinist, and she is the second Queen Elisabeth 'Artist in Resident', who won a big international First Prize in a month After Nikola Meeuwsen.
Listen here to a recent recording of Hawijch Elders and Nikola Meeuwsen, organized by the Dutch National Instrument Foundation.
Valse-Scherzo, Op.34
Mélodie, Op.42
We also gratefully acknowledge the NL Talentenfonds for their valuable support of Hawijch Elders throughout this competition. And a very big gratitude for Enrica Ciccarelli, Artistic Director of Fondazione La Società dei Concerti in Milano.
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