Classical Tracks: A pair of violin showpieces

Johannes Brahms and Erich Wolfgang Korngold wrote one violin concerto each -- both in the key of D. The young violinist Nikolaj Znaider pairs them on his new disc, in warm-toned, lyrical performances.

St. Paul, Minn. — Danish violinist Nikolaj Znaider has studied with some of the greatest violin teachers in the world.

At age 16 he began tutoring with Dorothy DeLay, a legendary teacher at the Juillard School of Music. Within two years he was winning major international violin competitions, yet Znaider wasn't content with the way he was playing. So he went back to the drawing board.

He sought out the Russian pedagogue Boris Kuschnir in Vienna, who immediately picked up on the problem. It was Kuschnir who discovered Znaider was lacking flexibility and strength in the right hand.

By breaking down all the movements in his bowing technique and working on them separately, Znaider started to think about his playing in an entirely new way. He discovered he was more than just a violinist, he was an artist -- with uncompromising musical standards, much like Johannes Brahms.

On his new recording, Znaider tackles the Violin Concerto in D by Brahms, and Erich Korngold's concerto in the same key.

Brahms's only violin concerto was composed for his friend and colleague Joseph Joachim. A striking feature of the first movement is the solo cadenza, which Joachim wrote.

Znaider plays this cadenza with tremendous sensitivity and warmth. His gentle use of vibrato allows the high notes to softly linger.

The 19th century Spanish virtuoso Pablo de Sarasate was once asked whether he planned to learn the new Brahms Concerto. He replied, "I don't deny that it is very good music, but do you think I could fall so low as to stand, violin in hand, and listen to the oboe play the only proper tune in the work?"

The beautiful oboe melody in the adagio is one of the loveliest Brahms ever composed. It's also a beautiful lead-in for the violin's solo. This is where we hear the depth behind Znaider's style. His ability to reach and hold every high note with exquisite tenderness is breathtaking.

A delightful gypsy-style finale wraps up this concerto. Znaider's attack and phrasing makes the memorable, energetic melody even more infectious. He seems to approach the finale almost like a chamber musician communicating directly with the Vienna Philharmonic.

Erich Korngold dedicated his violin concerto to Bronislaw Huberman, the Polish violinist highly admired by Brahms and Joachim. It was Huberman who encouraged Korngold to compose the work, yet he never had the chance to play it. Jascha Heifetz premiered it in 1947.

Korngold based the concerto on themes from his Hollywood film scores. He focused on the lyrical qualities of the instrument, saying it was written for "a Caruso of the violin rather than for a Paganini."

The singing quality of this concerto is heard in the soaring melodic line of the first movement. The dreamy second movement is an elegant Romance. Nikolaj Znaider exposes another side of his personality in this movement, enchanting us with his pure tone, and passionate phrasing.

Nikolaj Znaider is a soloist who demands a lot from himself. His high expectations pay off on this new live recording with the Vienna Philharmonic and conductor Valery Gergiev.

Together, they offer an exciting performance of two violin showpieces that demonstrate their incredible technical prowess and their artistic integrity.

(This is a repeat broadcast from March 31)