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Sony Masterworks

Brahms: Works For Violin & Piano / Znaider, Bronfman

$11.98

Details

Composer
NIKOLAJ ZNAIDER
Artist
Nikolaj Znaider
Format
CD
Label
Sony Masterworks
Released
Apr 24, 2007
Catalog #
88697061062
UPC
886970610629

About


With these marvelous performances of the three Brahms violin sonatas, Nikolaj Znaider hits his artistic stride, abetted by Yefim Bronfman's impeccable piano partnership. The G major seemingly begins out of nowhere in darkness, then gradually takes on brighter colors as Znaider opens up his tone. The canonic interaction between violin and piano unfolds with gentle yet enlivening lack of effort, as does all of the composer's cross-rhythmic phrasing. Sample, if you can, Bronfman's solo introduction to the slow movement, and also notice how he admirably avoids other pianists' tendencies to push forward in climaxes by allowing the bass lines time to resonate and breathe in strict tempo. The A major sonata proves equally winning in a tender, lyrically inflected interpretation where even the softest, most delicate moments never go the least bit slack.

The musicians take the D minor's first movement at an animated Allegro that still manages to convey the music's brooding, somewhat mysterious underside. In the eloquent Adagio, Znaider's long-lined command suggests a bow with no end, while Znaider and Bronfman bring astute voice leading and relative sobriety to the third movement--a valid alternative to more impulsive and animated accounts (Mullova/Anderszewski, for example). Control and clarity define the pair's way with the finale, although the rollicking momentum they generate does not quite match the irresistible, kinetic abandon with which Suk/Katchen, Dumay/Pires, and Heifetz/Kapell have spoiled at least one reviewer named Distler! They conclude with an impassioned, intelligently parsed rendition of the "F.A.E Sonata" Scherzo. RCA's detailed, beautifully balanced engineering further enhances my highest recommendation.

--Jed Distler, ClassicsToday.com

Tracklist 11 tracks

  1. 1 I. Vivace ma non troppo 10:17
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Vivace ma non troppo
    Duration
    10:17
    Composer
    Johannes Brahms
    Performer
    Nikolaj Znaider, Yefim Bronfman
  2. 2 II. Adagio 07:21
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Adagio
    Duration
    07:21
    Composer
    Johannes Brahms
    Performer
    Nikolaj Znaider, Yefim Bronfman
  3. 3 III. Allegro molto moderato 08:16
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Allegro molto moderato
    Duration
    08:16
    Composer
    Johannes Brahms
    Performer
    Nikolaj Znaider, Yefim Bronfman
  4. 4 I. Allegro amabile 07:59
    Track
    4
    Title
    I. Allegro amabile
    Duration
    07:59
    Composer
    Johannes Brahms
    Performer
    Nikolaj Znaider, Yefim Bronfman
  5. 5 II. Andante tranquillo - Vivace 06:35
    Track
    5
    Title
    II. Andante tranquillo - Vivace
    Duration
    06:35
    Composer
    Johannes Brahms
    Performer
    Nikolaj Znaider, Yefim Bronfman
  6. 6 III. Allegro grazioso (quasi andante) 05:13
    Track
    6
    Title
    III. Allegro grazioso (quasi andante)
    Duration
    05:13
    Composer
    Johannes Brahms
    Performer
    Nikolaj Znaider, Yefim Bronfman
  7. 7 I. Allegro 07:20
    Track
    7
    Title
    I. Allegro
    Duration
    07:20
    Composer
    Johannes Brahms
    Performer
    Nikolaj Znaider, Yefim Bronfman
  8. 8 II. Adagio 04:29
    Track
    8
    Title
    II. Adagio
    Duration
    04:29
    Composer
    Johannes Brahms
    Performer
    Nikolaj Znaider, Yefim Bronfman
  9. 9 III. Un poco presto e con sentimento 02:54
    Track
    9
    Title
    III. Un poco presto e con sentimento
    Duration
    02:54
    Composer
    Johannes Brahms
    Performer
    Nikolaj Znaider, Yefim Bronfman
  10. 10 IV. Presto agitato 05:33
    Track
    10
    Title
    IV. Presto agitato
    Duration
    05:33
    Composer
    Johannes Brahms
    Performer
    Nikolaj Znaider, Yefim Bronfman
  11. 11 Violin Sonata in A Minor, "F-A-E": III. Scherzo in C Minor, WoO 2 05:08
    Track
    11
    Title
    Violin Sonata in A Minor, "F-A-E": III. Scherzo in C Minor, WoO 2
    Duration
    05:08
    Composer
    Johannes Brahms
    Performer
    Nikolaj Znaider, Yefim Bronfman