With the best will in the world, anyone listening to a disc entitled Bravo! Virtuoso Romantic Encores for Violin is all too likely to succumb to terminal ennui. After all, the ephemeral thrills of encores are not supposed to last an hour, and unless the performer is a very great artist, the listener may die of boredom long before the disc ends. Violinist Nikolai Znaider is nearly a very great artist. He has a graceful tone, an elegant technique, and a virtuoso's temperament. His performances are truly virtuoso and his interpretations truly romantic, but with the best will in the world, anyone listening will still succumb to terminal ennui halfway through the disc. After Znaider's spectacular Polonaise de concert, after his stupendous Romanza, after his soulful Vocalise, after his astonishing Ballade, after one astounding performance after another after another, the listener becomes fatigued by so many amazing performances and longs for something less eye-popping and jaw-dropping. Of course, listening to just one or two tracks and then putting the disc away may suffice, but that would be like stopping before the box of bonbons is finished. This is a superlative recital in small doses.
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