Track listing:

July 2006, BBC Proms, Royal Albert Hall: Thomas Zehetmair and Northern Sinfonia perform Schumann’s Fourth Symphony (in the original 1841 version) and Brahms’ Violin Concerto, a bold and brilliant move by the orchestra’s Music Director, conducting from his violin. This recording re-creates that programme, which received rapturous reception and unanimous acclaim. Zehetmair and Northern Sinfonia have forged one of Europe’s most dynamic musical relationships. The pairing of one of the most significant violinists of his generation with the award winning chamber orchestra from Tyneside has secured them their growing international reputation.

This is the second in an ongoing series of recordings made at the spectacular Sage Gateshead with Northern Sinfonia, inaugurated last autumn with the Gramophone Editor’s Choice release of Mozart Piano Concertos Nos. 9 and 23 (AV 2100), with Imogen Cooper directing from the keyboard.

Critical acclaim for Thomas Zehetmair and the Northern Sinfonia:
“as soloist in Brahms’ Violin Concerto, [Zehetmair] gave as fine a performance as I can remember – and he was conducting, too.” – The Independent

“an exceptional performance – bold, intensely lyrical, yet of an almost chamber music-like intimacy.” – The Guardian

“All the music’s devilment, daring and sheer difficulty were reborn in a performance taut with tension, and wonderfully variegated in tint and tone.” – The Times

“a reminder that there are states of being into which only music can lead you: that blissfulness where time transcends itself; that mountain-top freshness were everything makes sense." – The Sunday Times


Recorded in Hall One of The Sage Gateshead, England, 8 November 2006 and 9-11 December 2006
Recording Producer: Simon Fox-Gál. Balance Engineer: Jonathan Stokes (Brahms) / Simon Fox-Gál (Schumann)
Editing: Sebastian Schubert