Igor Oistrach: Milestones of a Violin Legend (10 CDs)

"You cannot be too cautious when choosing your father, otherwise you'll have his big name mentioned to you almost daily as a junior," joked German newspaper DIE WELT in a tribute to violinist Igor Oistrakh. Although he was certainly influenced musically by his legendary father David Oistrakh early on, Igor developed his own handwriting as a young musician - as brilliant as he was passionate and virtuoso. The cultural functionaries of the Soviet Union allowed the young musician to appear in western countries even before his father enjoyed this privilege. Thus young Oistrakh - who was already enthusiastically celebrated in the eastern bloc countries started a remarkable international career in the 1950s. This box-set with 12 original albums from the years 1954 to 1962 (+ bonus material) contains important recordings of his concert repertoire from his best years with works by Bartok, Khatchaturian, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Saint-Saens, Rakov, Bruch, Mendelssohn and others. It not only shows a highly interesting soloist and chamber musician, but also honors this unique "stroke of luck in the history of violin playing", the duo David and Igor Oistrakh which was celebrated for a quarter-century, with some of their famous recordings. Bach's Concerto in D minor for two violins, BWV 1043 is included here as are Vivaldi's Double Concerto, Wieniawski's Caprices, Sonatas by Benda and Bach. For direct comparison, check out the the two Beethoven romances on offer here, recorded by the father in 1961 and five years earlier by the son. Franz Konwitschny, Eugene Goossens, Gennady Rhozhdestvensky, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, the Staatskapelle Berlin and many more are also featured on these recordings. Also featuring Franz Konwitschny, Eugene Goossens, Gennady Rhozhdestvensky, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, the Staatskapelle Berlin and many more.

CD 1
Khachaturian: Violin Concerto
conducted by Eugene Goossen, Philharmonia Orchestra
1953, London (Colombia Master)

Handel: Trio Sonata Op.2-6
David Oistrakh (Vln) Vladimir Janporsky (pf)
1957, Leipzig (German Eterna Master)

CD 2
JS Bach: Violin Concerto BWV.1052
Franz Convitny Conductor, Staatscapelle Berlin
1958, Berlin (German Eterna Master)

Sarasate: Navarra Op.33
David Oistrakh (Vln)
Franz・ Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, conducted by Convitny,
1957, Leipzig (Eterna Master, Germany)

Wieniawski: Etude Caprice Op.18, 2nd, 5th, 4th
David Oistrakh (Vln)
1957, Berlin ( Vln) German Eterna Master)

CD 3
Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto Op.35
Saint-Saens: Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso Op.28
Wilhelm Schhitter Conductor, Pro Arte Orchestra
1957, London (English Columbia Master)

CD 4
Beethoven: Violin Concerto Op.61
Wilhelm Schüchter Conductor, Pro Arte Orchestra
1956, London (Columbia Master)

CD 5
JS Bach: Unaccompanied Violin Sonata BWV.1001
Vitali: Chaconne
Mozart (Chrysler Edition): "Rondo" from Serenade No. 7 K.250 "Rondo"
Abram Makarov (pf)
1954, recording location unknown (German opera master)

JS Bach: Trio Sonata BWV.1037
David Oistruff (Vln) Hans Pishner (Harpsichord)
1957, Dresden (German Gramophone Master)

CD 6
JS Bach: Violin Concerto No. 2 BWV.1042
Beethoven: Romance No. 1, No. 2
Franz Schüchny Conductor, Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra
1956 Year, Leipzig (German Eterna Master)

Beethoven: Romance Nos. 1 and 2
David Oistrakh (Vln)
Conducted by Eugene Goosen, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
1961, London (German Gramophone Master)

CD 7
Nikolai Rakov (1908-1990): Violin Concerto in E minor
Nikolai Rakov Conductor, Moscow Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra,
1955, Moscow (Russian Melodia Master)

Skriabin: 12 Practice Songs Op.8 No. 11
Khachaturian: Poem "Ashgus Glory" Op.19
Rakov: Poem in E minor
Kreisler : Grave
Mozart in Bach style (Kreisler edition): "Rondo" from Serenade No. 7 K.250
Inna Koregorskaya (pf)
1955, recording location unknown (Russian melody master)

CD 8
Georg Bender (1722) -1795): Trio Sonata in E major,
David Oistruff (Vln) Vladimir Janpolsky (pf)
1957, Leipzig (German Eterna Master)

Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1
David Eustrav Conductor, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
1961, London (German Gramophone Master)

CD 9
Bartok: Violin Concerto No. 2
Gennaji Rogestvensky Conductor, Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra
1960, Moscow (Russian Melodia Master)

Vivaldi: Inspiration of Harmony Op.3-8
David・ Oistruff (Vln, Conductor) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
1961, London (German Gramophone Master)

CD 10
Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto Op.64
Violin Concerto No. 2
Franz Konwitschny Conductor, Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra
1956, Leipzig (German Eterna Master)