In the young state of Israel, composing for solo violin was undertaken both as a response to the many excellent violinists who had settled there, as well as reaching back to ancient Jewish traditions - in the secular as well as sacred use of music. Hence it need come as no surprise that this composing for solo violin made its way so totally independent of Bach, the dominant model that prevailed in so many other places until far into the mid-twentieth century. Thus this CD would like to trace the fascinating genesis of Israeli music in the course of an exciting half century - focusing on a single violin, whose similarity to the human voice was never denied in Jewish musical tradition.

Kolja Lessing is one of the most versatile musicians of our time, has given decisive impetus to the music world by combining interpretative and research work with his skills as both violinist and pianist. Internationally acclaimed CD recordings provide evidence of a versatile musician with repertoire ranging from the Baroque to the present day, encompassing both standard works and rarities. His creative concert programs feature numerous premieres of violin works that composers like Haim Alexander, Abel Ehrlich, Jacqueline Fontyn, Berthold Goldschmidt andHans Vogt have composed for him and reflect his international reputation. Since 2000, Lessing has been active as Professor of violin and chamber music at the Musikhochschule Stuttgart.