Deutsche Grammophon has signed a 15-year-old Swedish violinist, Daniel Lozakovich. 

The deal is described as ‘a long-term association’ and will begin with two orchestral albums and a recital disc. Beethoven's Violin Concerto is set to be among the first releases, said DG, though the orchestra and conductor are not yet named.

While his young age will undoubtably grab attention, it’s worth noting that he follows in the footsteps of Anne-Sophie Mutter, who made her first recording with DG aged 15, in Mozart’s Third and Fifth violin concertos with Herbert von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic. Violinist David Garrett also made his first recording for the yellow label around that age, having signed a contract with DG aged 13. 

‘Daniel displays all the attributes, the inordinate talent and the necessary dedication to achieve the kind of inspired classical music performance which is the hallmark of each and every musician at home on Deutsche Grammophon’s roster, both past and present,’ said President of DG, Clemens Trautmann. ‘More pertinently, Daniel’s signing reflects our commitment to the bright and exciting future of classical music recording – a future which he perfectly embodies. We are sure his artistry will both delight existing classical fans and appeal to and inspire a younger generation, drawing them into a new musical world.’

(Video: Daniel Lozakovich – aged 12 – performing Sarasate's Zigeunerweisen at the Menuhin Competition in 2014)

Similar aspirations - to engage with young audiences - were also expressed by fellow Universal label Decca Classics last month when it signed 16-year-old recorder player Lucie Horsch. 

Future live dates for Lozakovich include performances with the Mariinsky and the Munich Philharmonic under Valery Gergiev, a debut with the Swedish Radio Symphony under Robin Ticciati and a return to the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic under Semyon Bychkov.

Lozakovich can in fact already be heard on a DG recording: he partnered with Daniel Hope in a Bartók violin duo on Hope’s recent album 'My Tribute to Yehudi Menuhin'.