Founder of FeMusa Orchestra, Nazrin is a leading Émile Sauret authority with her own edition of his 24 Études Caprices, published by Edition Peters
Praised by the American Record Guide for encompassing a “consummate technique and unabashed bravura wedded to a great sense of style... an example to nearly every violinist alive”, Nazrin Rashidova’s musical acumen is ensuring a unique place for her in the music world.
The internationally acclaimed Azerbaijani-British violin virtuoso made her solo debut at the age of three in Baku, and was awarded a Gold Medal by Cairo Opera House for an exceptional violin recital three years later. She founded FeMusa Orchestra, Britain’s first female chamber orchestra for 70 years, at the Academy in 2008. They have been featured on BBC World News, Euronews and LondonLive and have given numerous concerts in London, Oman, Baku, Gabala and Paris.
Having joined the Academy at the age of 15, Nazrin has played on a rare collection of violins by Stradivari and Guarneri. She studied with professors Erich Gruenberg, Felix Andrievsky and Lydia Mordkovitch. A prize winner in several international competitions, she has appeared on international TV and radio, played for Royalty and other dignitaries, and also performed in the USA, Japan, Europe and the Middle East.
Her recordings for Naxos and First Hand Records have been critically acclaimed by The Strad, Gramophone, Diapason, Fanfare, Ritmo, Classical Guitar Magazine, American Record Guide, SWR2 Radio and neue musikzeitung.
Nazrin is recognised as a leading authority on Émile Sauret, her doctorate at the Academy culminating in the launch of her own edition of his monumental 24 Études Caprices (op.64 published by Edition Peters) following the release of a world premiere four-volume recording series of these works (issued by Naxos between 2017 and 2020). In support of her research, she was awarded one of the most prestigious awards of the Worshipful Company of Musicians, The John Clementi Collard Fellowship and The Clarence Myerscough Trust award at the Academy. Three of the volumes were recorded on the c.1685 ‘Sauret’ Stradivari violin, kindly loaned to her by John Ludlow.
She plays on a violin after G. B. Guadagnini Milan 1753, ‘Nazrin’ by David Rattray.
Image: Omur Black
Selected Publications
Recordings:
Émile Sauret: 24 Etudes Caprices, op.64, Nazrin Rashidova solo violin Volumes 1-4 for solo violin (Naxos, 2017-2020)
Carnival, arrangements and transcriptions for violin and guitar, with Stanislav Hvartchilkov (FHR, 2016)
Moritz Moszkowski Works for Violin and Piano, with Daniel Grimwood (Naxos, 2015)
Leopold Godowsky Works for Violin and Piano, with Roderick Chadwick (Naxos, 2013)
Press:
Nazrin Rashidova on Émile Sauret the teacher, The Strad, published 19 May 2020
Émile Sauret, moderation and the ‘saccade’ bow stroke, The Strad, published 12 July 2019
Nazrin Rashidova plays Émile Sauret's Études-Caprices on the 'Sauret' Stradivari, The Strad, published 5 March, 2018
Variations on fast-forward: the extraordinary density of Émile Sauret's 24 Études-Caprices, The Strad, published 15 September 2017