For Your Consideration
Best Contemporary Classical Composition
Elena Ruehr: Violin Concerto
Irina Muresanu, violin
Benjamin Loeb, conductor
Lviv Philharmonic
What the Critics Are Saying
“From the opening bars, this concerto sings. Ruehr’s writing is accessible without ever feeling slight, its lyrical lines unfolding with real confidence in what the violin can do. She understands the instrument intimately and the orchestral accompaniment is judged with equal skill.”
From the Composer
Written specifically for violinist Irina Muresanu, my first violin concerto explores the exuberant qualities of her playing as well as her exquisite lyricism. The music unfolds in one long line, but actually embraces a kind of three movement form—fast, slow, fast—with a recap of the first section at the end, all played without pause. Premiered by the Richmond Philharmonic with Peter Wilson conducting.
— E. Ruehr
Recorded in Lviv
This concerto was recorded following a live performance in Lviv, Ukraine during the war in 2025. The Lviv Philharmonic was recognized with a Latin Grammy® award that same year.
Album Credits
- Composer
- Elena Ruehr
- Solo Violin
- Irina Muresanu
- Conductor
- Benjamin Loeb
- Orchestra
- Lviv Philharmonic
- Producer
- Ostap Manulyak
- Associate Producers
- Allison Charney · Kitt Wakeley
- Assistant Producer
- Melissa Wakeley
- Recording Engineer
- Yurko Melnyk
- Assistant Engineer
- Mykhailo Romanyshyn
- Mix · Master · Atmos
- Tony Correlli
- Recorded
- Lviv, Ukraine · August 27–29, 2025
- Record Label
- St7dio Classical
- Distributor
- Hitskope
- Release Date
- August 14, 2026
