Ondine has signed a long-term contract with German violinist Christian Tetzlaff.

Tetzlaff has developed a reputation for playing which is rich in colour, powerfully (and thoughtfully) expressive, and technically superb. Previous recordings for labels including DG, Decca, EMI and Hänssler have ranged from Schumann to Schoenberg, Bach to Berg.

His first release on Ondine will be in November, of concertos by Mendelssohn and Schumann along with Schumann’s Fantasy for Violin and Orchestra, recorded with the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra and Paavo Järvi.

Future plans include violin sonatas by Mozart and Schumann, to be recorded with Tetzlaff’s longtime piano chamber partner Lars Vogt, due for release in autumn 2012 and the following spring.

'Christian Tetzlaff is one of the most outstanding violinists of our times and it is my great pleasure to welcome him to Ondine,' said Reijo Kiilunen, managing director of the Finnish label, an independent unit within the Naxos group. 'I look forward to making recordings including repertoire upon which Mr Tetzlaff has built his legendary reputation.'