★★★★☆ 1/2 Gorgeous readings, with the Korngold Concerto as the standout

Brahms & Korngold: Violin Concertos

The tone of the Vienna Philharmonic is so gorgeous that it's hard to listen to this Brahms Violin Concerto without your mouth watering. Valery Gergiev picks a slow tempo, and the strings tug at the heart with their ravishing beauty. It's so sweet that no doubt Nikolaj Znaider found himself in the middle of a taffy pull. Sugary as it is, Gergiev still feels heavy and there's a strain of seriousness that feels restrictive. Continuing to listen, I wonder if it is indeed  too much of a good thing. Gergiev is strong and far from flaccid, but surely the music could breathe a bit more? Znaider himself is quite convincing, his cadenza fully expressive and supple.

Once we head into the Adagio, the problem is that we've already spent 23 minutes in a grave world. I wish this movement was more songful, and Znaider is very nice, even if he could be more lyrical, or at least sweeter. By the time we enter the finale, we're nearly drowning in rich syrup, so does Gergiev give way gypsy abandon? Not really; instead of a lurch of energy we have a steady forward push. This music should be allowed to dance. As it is, we hear a fully professional reading that dazzles in splendor while falling short on the emotional front. Is Gergiev doomed to be eternally serious in Brahms? One wonders, especially after his symphony cycle with the LSO was straightforward and sober. Znaider could only do so much, I suppose.

But cheer up, because the Korngold the follows is a treat from beginning to end. I listened holding my breath, even fighting the tears.This is harrowing music-making in every sense of the word. The soundtrack world of Korngold is brought to complete fruition. For all the romantic breathlessness, there's moments of shadowy suspense that are chilling. It's perhaps a bit ironic, because this piece is sugary and almost schmaltzy to being with, but unlike the Brahms, there's complete conviction and no pretentiousness. The Vienna Phil sends shivers down the spine, Gergiev phrasing with impeccable sensitivity.It puts a rival reading from Shaham and Previn in the shade.

The Korngold is gripping, enough so that I ran out to buy the CD after listening. And the Brahms is a high level performance that I'll surely listen to again. I found Gergiev too serious, but the Znaider and the orchestra are exquisite.