On Homelands, violinist Rudens Turku brings together composers who each created unique musical evocations of their native countries. All were world travellers and found through their compositions the means to produce striking homages to their respective lands, from iconic Sonatas by Dvorák and Grieg to Rachmaninov’s exquisite Vocalise (in the edition by Josef Gingold), to lesser-known works by a young Piazzolla and the Spanish virtuoso Sarasate. The concept is familiar to Rudens, a native of Albania who at the age of 14 emigrated to Germany with nothing but a violin in his hands. These works have travelled with him since childhood and his inspired playing exhibits his innate understanding and wide range of musical and dramatic skills.