Detroit Symphony Orchestra – Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider plays Bruch’s Violin Concerto No.1 & conducts Brahms’s Symphony No.2. Live DSO webcast.

Saturday, December 6, 2024

Orchestra Hall, Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center, Woodward Avenue, Detroit, Michigan

The modern trend of not including an Overture or, more simply, a short opening piece was sadly on display here, so it was straight into the ubiquitous Max Bruch G-minor for a short first half. That said, Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider gave a technically immaculate and intensely musical account of a great work built for longevity, the DSO dedicated and alluring partners in a performance with no need for fad or fancy, rather vivid communication, music-serving virtuosity and, slow movement, much eloquence: heart-on-sleeve has its place when sincere. For an extra, NS-Z and DSO members gave Manuel Ponce’s sweetly lyrical Estrellita in Heifetz’s arrangement: let’s call it an Underture.

Following intermission, the first movement of Brahms’s Second Symphony was unfolded rather sleepily (as such I’m glad Szeps-Znaider omitted the exposition repeat) then increasing tempo for the development – a clunky change of gear during an approach that never really settled, although the slumbering coda came off well, yet the slow movement didn’t quite hit the emotional spot (I’ve been spoiled by the wonderful Celibidache reading long-pinned to the front page). The intermezzo-like third movement was a little finicky, although the Finale was successfully steered (if via the odd detour) to a fiery conclusion.

Pieces that were once regularly played, which today have fallen out of the repertoire: Overtures by Franz von Suppé. Six of these gems with the Detroit Symphony & Paul Paray, recorded 1960 for Mercury.

Let’s hear it for Max Bruch/1. Violin Concerto No.2; Mischa Elman/LSO/Anatole Fistoulari; a ten-inch Decca from 1957. | Also Jascha Heifetz/RCA Victor SO/Izler Solomon; recorded 1956/HMV.

Let’s hear it for Max Bruch/2. Serenade for Violin and Orchestra. Salvatore Accardo/Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra/Kurt Masur. 1978. Philips.

Let’s hear it for Max Bruch/3. Violin Concerto No.3. James Ehnes/Montreal Symphony Orchestra/Charles Dutoit. CBC Records. 2001.

Let’s hear it for Max Bruch/4. Scottish Fantasy. Michael Rabin/Philharmonia Orchestra/Sir Adrian Boult. Recorded 1957 for Columbia.

Offering eloquent, deep-passion, gorgeous-sounding solace, the Adagio of Brahms’s Second Symphony, as conducted by Celibidache on April 11, 1975, with Stuttgart Radio SO, from his wonderful SWR cycle on DG. In contrast is Celi’s scintillating conducting on home turf of Enescu’s Romanian Rhapsody No.1.