The Daily Telegraph describes Nikolaj Znaider as "the most stimulating young musician playing today, drawing on musical intelligence, perception and dynamism to give performances of rare intensity." This release presents one of the world's foremost violinists playing two landmark concertos, accompanied by the Leipzig Gewandhausorchester "one of Europe's finest orchestras" (The Guardian) under the baton of its music director Riccardo Chailly.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the world premiere of Elgar’s Violin Concerto which took place on 10 November 1910 and was conducted by the composer himself, celebrated Danish violinist Nikolaj Znaider has recorded the concerto on the very same instrument that Kreisler performed the premiere: this is the first account on disc using this very special violin, a 1741 Guarneri del Gesu. Znaider will also tour the work globally throughout 2010 and will perform the Concerto with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir Colin Davis on 10 November 2010 at London’s Barbican Concert Hall – the anniversary to the day of the world premiere.

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.