Brahms - Violin Sonata 3 [Znaider/Bronfman]
Here's Znaider again, i played this work / disc just over a year ago [5th March 2011], and it's good to play this disc again, the weather has improved so much here that i decided to venture out to the park, to write my Journal, drink an icy Coke, and listen to this disc from beginning to end, a lovely experience, it seems all four have a tendency to mesh into one beautiful experience, in listening to this disc, i find myself agreeing with Znaider in certain areas, and then disagreeing with him in others, he seems of the old school, Szeryng for instance, a certain degree of sweet calm and assurance rather than hotheaded fire, Bronfman is an accomplished partner.
Nikolaj Znaider is Danish, still only 36, he recorded this disc in 2005, the front cover photograph [actually the back of the booklet] is by Vanessa Lenz, i found the original front cover boring, but the back cover is a lovely little shot, i rubbed some white transfers on it, and hey presto! it's a great cover, full of an array of browns, the piano and violin nicely shown, the transfers make great difference, i love this booklet now.
The highlight must be the beautiful second movement Adagio, only 4:29 long, but packed full of emotion, the sound is terrific, you hear Znaider breathe just before he starts, the mikes pick up every sound, he plays with passion, the piano is almost a mechanical beat, but that's juxtaposed with Znaider's playing, almost a heartbeat, the first minute is just simply gorgeous, just sit back and wallow in it, Bronfman plays some delicious treble notes [1:27-2:04], and then Znaider launches into the opening melody again [2:05+], this time with greater intensity and volume, also this time around Bronfman has a more human line to accompany, i love the way Znaider builds up the climax near the end [3:14+], this was heaven in the park today, a sky of blue without a cloud in sight, and sunshine in my soul too!.
Here's Leonidas Kavakos playing the second movement Adagio on YouTube.
