Brahms: Violin Concerto; Schumann: Symphony No. 4 - Thomas Zehetmair, Northern Sinfonia

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 Norman Foster’s spectacular The 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.


Johannes BRAHMS (1833 – 1897)
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major (42:56)
1. I Allegro non troppo (Cadenza – Thomas Zehetmair) (19:32)
2. II Adagio (7:53)
3. III Allegro giocoso, ma non troppo vivace (7:47)

Robert SCHUMANN (1810 – 1856)
Symphony No. 4 in D minor (Original Version 1841) (22:29)
4. I Andante con moto – Allegro di molto (7:52)
5. II Romanza: Andante (3:26)
6. III Scherzo: Presto (5:51)
7. IV Finale: Allegro vivace (5:25)