Violinist Nikolaj Znaider

[rojo]

Back in 1997, I had listened to a wonderful performance of the Sibelius Violin Concerto presented on tv; it was during a broadcast of the Concours Reine Elisabeth from Brussels. He ended up winning the competition, and I agreed with the decision completely. I only recently discovered that he is originally from Denmark!

His interpretation of the Sibelius was spot on imo. It really moved me.

Has anyone heard this violinist play? If so, what did you think? I`ve listened to free snippets of his newer recordings from a website, but it`s not much to go on. I`m wondering if any of these recordings are as good as his performance of the Sibelius...

[Frederik Magle]

Nikolaj Znaider is a great violinist with a technical level as close to perfection as humanly possible (or above... one could be excused to think at times ) and even more importantly the gift for personal interpretations true to the music - as you noticed with the Sibelius Concerto. I can definately recommend buying CDs where he performs other concertos as well. His "official" website is www.znaider.com

It's funny you ask about Nikolaj Znaider, because he also happens to be a good friend of mine since we were both kids, and he's performed my music several times. (There's an excerpt of a piece for violin and piano called »Journey in time« on my download page)

[rojo]

I`ve just listened to your work, 'A Journey in Time', Frederik; one word- wow. What a fabulous collaboration. The playing is absolutely impeccable; superb and outstanding. As to the work itself, I was impressed. I will definitely be listening to it again and again; I find I usually must listen to a work at least a few times in order to really get to know it, and to begin to fully appreciate it. For example, I was so floored by the violin playing that I fear I may have missed fully appreciating the piano part- which on first listen seems also to have been performed to excellence. I could tell however from the first listen, that this work does indeed merit many more listens.

Thank you so much for sharing this work of yours, Frederik; I had every intention to check out your work, but somehow I never got around to it. I will definitely be listening to much more of it! But first, I simply must relisten to this work and really get to know it...

[rojo]

Just a quick follow-up post to say how much I enjoy this excerpt from your work; I`ve listened to it 8 more times- I really like it. I find some elements remind me of Bartok, Poulenc (sonatas) and Stravinsky- all stuff I like. (Hope it`s ok for me to say that.)

Thanks again.

[Frederik Magle]

Thanks rojo! I truly appreciate that you've listened so carefully to the piece. A funny thing is that the piano part is actually just as difficult and complex to perform as the violin part

Although I haven't had any particular source of inspiration for this work, or in fact most of my compositions, it's perfectly ok to compare elements, and I do admire both Bartok, Poulenc and Stravinsky (I've had great enjoyment playing Poulenc's organ concerto many times).

Thanks again for your great comments (and sorry about hijacking your thread )

[rojo]

Indeed, the piano part does sound demanding. Daniel Gortler does a great job.

As to 'hijacking' the thread, it has remained pretty much on topic, imo. And besides that, I for one have appreciated it!

[Mr Salek]

I'm going to see him play the Brahms in December! I haven't really heard him before so I can make my mind up then.

[rojo]

Hi Mr Salek,

You lucky! I bet you`ll really enjoy it.

[merula]

I saw Nikolaj perform at The Usher Hall in Edinburgh - Scotland last year. It was an amazing performance full of musicality and technical ability.

His tonal awareness was staggering and his stage presence and communication with the audience second to none.

It was an inspiring and heart felt evening although for some inconceivable reason the critic that night didn't like it, I reckon he had made his mind up before entering the hall.

[rojo]

Well well, Mr. Znaider has a new violin-

http://www.playbillarts.com/news/article/6500.html

I wonder how much of a difference there is in his playing/sound with this new instrument...