Watch Daniel Pelton, the National Music Centre’s Violins of Hope Artist in Residence, share the story behind his new album inspired by the novel, The Tattooist of Auschwitz. The award-winning saxophonist and composer from Calgary, who leads The Daniel Pelton Collective, a group of rotating musicians that perform his original works and arrangements, was given a week to record new works using historic string instruments from the Violins of Hope collection – once owned by Holocaust victims and survivors, and now lovingly preserved by third generation violin-maker Avshalom Weinstein.
“These instruments and the music performed on them are a tangible, physical connection to the history and legacy of their owners. I didn’t expect the journeys of so many violins in the collection to be so well catalogued, as though their caretakers through the years knew of their importance,” Pelton shared.
As an artist of Jewish heritage, Pelton found deep meaning in using the Violins of Hope collection to bring Holocaust stories of the past to life through music. Pelton’s powerful pieces, recorded with Calgary’s premiere string ensemble Kensington Sinfonia, will be released on January 27, 2025 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Pre-save the album here.
Special thanks to Calgary Jewish Federation and the Jewish Community Foundation for making this residency possible.
