With “Little Dutch Rhapsody No. 3 (‘Capriccio Amsterdam’),” concert violinist and composer Sergiy Bolotny turns a familiar piece of Dutch musical heritage into a dazzling showcase of virtuosity, romance, and expressive storytelling.
The single opens with clean, glistening strings that move with remarkable finesse, each phrase bending and flowing with precision. There’s an immediate sense of elegance in the performance, but beneath its graceful surface lies a playful spirit that keeps the music alive and unpredictable.
At the heart of the composition is Pieter Goemans’ beloved melody “Aan de Amsterdamse grachten,” which Bolotny reimagines through the golden-age Old-Viennese violin tradition associated with Fritz Kreisler. Rather than simply revisiting a familiar tune, he gives it fresh character through expressive, vocal-like phrasing, rich double-stop harmonies, and spirited variations that reveal the instrument’s remarkable range. Tender passages seem to linger in nostalgic reflection before giving way to flashes of nimble, dazzling technique. The result feels both deeply rooted in tradition and wonderfully individual.
That balance extends to the recording itself. Natural room resonance and an unvarnished acoustic presentation allow the violin’s subtle textures, bow movements, and rich overtones to breathe, bringing listeners closer to the immediacy of a live performance. It’s a refreshing reminder that sometimes the most captivating production choice is simply to let the instrument speak for itself.
The single has already reached a significant milestone, receiving nationwide airplay on Dutch public classical radio station NPO Klassiek on its official release day, October 2, 2026, alongside works by Maurice Ravel and Nino Rota. For Bolotny, Assistant Second Concertmaster of the Noord Nederlands Orkest, this latest release further strengthens his distinctive exploration of European musical memory. “Capriccio Amsterdam” ultimately feels like a loving musical portrait of the Dutch capital, painted with technical brilliance, warmth, and a graceful touch of nostalgia.
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Review by: Naomi Joan