Déjà Review: this review was first published in June 2007 and the recording is still available.

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Violin Concerto Op.77 (1877)
Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Symphony No. 4 in D minor op. 120 (1841 version)
Northern Sinfonia/Thomas Zehetmair (violin)
rec. 2006, The Sage, Gateshead, UK
Avie AV2125 [58]

This recording is designed to promote The Sage as a venue – and it more than fulfils this aim. This is a truly exciting recording of excellent quality. Freshness and life pervade these well-known works and the sound quality can only be described as stunning. The partnership between Austrian-born director/soloist Zehetmair and the resident orchestra is a vibrant success; the acoustic is superb. Both works are well known and substantial. the disc is good value in terms of content as well as quality.

The Brahms is especially lovely – warm, full, rich sound which typifies this composer’s best works. Its sound-world is strongly reminiscent of the Second Symphony – written in the same place – the mountain resort of Portschach – in Carinthia) only a year earlier.

Although this work is already well represented in the recording catalogue, I have very much liked this particular performance. The work has a strong role for the orchestra, as well as the soloist, and the Northern Sinfonia’s playing is more than equal to this. Zehetmair’s contribution is considerable; he has edited a revised edition of the score, in addition to adding his own cadenza.

This makes the concerto a hard act to follow, but the Schumann is also very good. A more measured work, this is solid and steady but never heavy or portentous. My only reservation is that perhaps the brass is a little strident in the first movement. Both oboe and violin excel in the second movement. The finale skilfully combines pace with lightness of touch, reflecting well on Zehetmair’s abilities as a conductor as well as soloist.

This disc is a fine advertisement for the quality of playing – and indeed the acoustic – to be heard at The Sage. Were I still living in the North of England, it would encourage me to visit this splendid new concert hall. As this is no longer so, I shall be looking out for other recordings from this talented combination.

Julie Williams

Buying this recording via a link below generates revenue for MWI, which helps the site remain free