We previously featured Sergiy Bolotny for celebrating Dutch folk heritage and expressive violin writing with Little Dutch Rhapsody No. 1 and a high emotional quotient with Ukrainian Caprice No. 4 Sycamore & Burlesque, so when we found out that the composer was back with Little Dutch Rhapsody No.3 Capriccio Amsterdam, we were curious to say the least, and couldn’t wait to listen and share our experience.
Little Dutch Rhapsody No.3 Capriccio Amsterdam opens with a bold and high-octane violin performance with staccato motifs and legato expressions. The performance is intricate yet emotive. We appreciate the organic nuances and subtle tempo shifts giving the track a deeply human resonance.
The opus expands into an almost melancholic energy at moments, perfect for scoring a film by Lars Von Trier or perhaps a documentary by Joris Ivens. We are enthralled by Sergiy’s passion which truly transmutes with his performance. The fusion of sautillés, jetés and flying staccatos in the piece are truly awe inspiring. There is an incredible physicality to Sergiy’s performance, and every flourish contributes to the character of the piece.
We learn that at the heart of Capriccio Amsterdam is Pieter Goemans‘ beloved melody “Aan de Amsterdamse grachten”, which Sergiy transforms rather than simply reproduces. The familiar Dutch theme becomes something much more expansive. We hear traces of romantic nostalgia, urban energy and old-world elegance, all filtered through the golden-age Viennese violin tradition associated with Fritz Kreisler. The result is a fascinating meeting point between cultural memory and virtuosic interpretation.
We particularly appreciate the cantabile passages, where the violin suddenly feels super vocal with the rubato phrasing and rich double-stop passages adding depth and complexity. Then the composition shifts again, returning to playful variations and rapid-fire gestures. This constant movement keeps us completely hypnotized.
Sergiy’s background adds another fascinating dimension. Born in Ukraine and educated in Lviv, Kyiv and Vienna, he has developed an international career spanning orchestral performance, chamber music and original composition. Now based in Groningen and serving as Assistant Second Concertmaster with the Noord Nederlands Orkest, his Little Dutch Rhapsodies and Ukrainian Caprices explore cultural heritage through the expressive possibilities of solo violin.
Needless to say, we are once again in awe of Sergiy Bolotny‘s musicianship. and have added Little Dutch Rhapsody No. 3 Capriccio Amsterdam to our New Music Spotlight and TIMELESS playlists.