About this release
Not so long ago, Gramophone magazine asked several of today's leading virtuosos: who is the violinist's violinist? The answer was almost unequivocal: David Oistrakh, violinist, footballer and gentleman. Growing up and thriving in difficult and dangerous times in Stalin's Russia, his almost superhuman patience and poise made him an ideal recording artist, but that consistency is no less evident in this historical collection of live performances which have been collected to mark the hundredth anniversary of his birth. It includes several concertos of which he was progenitor, if not dedicatee, by virtue of his strength and delicacy as an artist: the two by Shostakovich and others by Prokofiev, Myaskovsky and Kabalevsky. The favourite hall-fillers by Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky and Sibelius are included -- and Oistrakh's partners are no less distinguished, among them Yevgeny Mravinsky, Kurt Sanderling and the great conductor-accompanist, Kyrill Kondrashin, who recognised a kindred spirit in the dedication and human warmth of Oistrakh. There is, therefore, a significant representation of Oistrakh not just as heroic soloist but as gregarious chamber musician, with friends including the pianists Lev Oborin and Vladimir Yampolsky and the cellist Sviatoslav Knushevitsky. Their repertoire ranges from Albéniz to Zarzycki, including showpieces such as Tartini's 'Devil's Trill' Sonata and Beethoven's 'Kreutzer' as well as more Oistrakh-inspired works by Prokofiev and Catoire. This is an essential set both for anyone who has some of Oistrakh's many studio recordings and wishes to explore further, and as an introduction to one of the last century's most inspiring musicians.
Further information
- Many performances not otherwise available
- New remasterings
- Detailed booklet-notes exploring Oistrakh's eventful life and musical career