David Oistrakh – Alto CD

Eleven Great Violinists of the 20th Century

amuletts — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 00:07:22 +0000

A treasury of expert transfers from iconic performances and arrangements by the greatest performers: each volume here from vintage periods of their careers

Eleven Great Violinists of the 20th Century

Elman – Haendel – Hassid – Heifetz – Kreisler

Menuhin – Milstein – Oistrakh – Rabin – Seidel – Szigeti

DISC 1: Mischa Elman [78:35]

Tchaikovsky – Violin Concerto in D major, Op.35 [34:18]

[1] Allegro moderato 18:37

[2] Canzonetta (Andante) 6:46

[3] Finale: Allegro vivacissimo 8:54

with London Symphony Orchestra / John Barbirolli / 1929

Queen’s Hall, London. First issued on HMV DB 1405/08

Encores: from Vanguard ATM 1656 (4-15 with Joseph Seiger, piano)

(1963 prod: Seymour Solomon from VRS 1049-1051)

[4] César Cui – Orientale, Op.50/9 2:02

[5] L.von Beethoven – Minuet in G, Woo10/2 2:34

[6] Fréderic Chopin – Nocturne in Eb, Op.9/2 5:21

[7] Francois-Joseph Gossec – Gavotte in D ‘Rosine’ 1:56

Hebraic Melodies: (Vanguard ATM 1882, 1963 prod: S. Solomon)

[8] Joseph Achron – Hebrew Melody, Op.33 5:43

[9] Josef Bonimé – Dance Hebraique 3:10

[10] George Perlman – Dance of The Rebbitzen 2:47

[11] Abraham Goldfaden – Raisins & Almonds (arr. Anthony Collins) 3:44

[12] Marc Lavry – Yemenite Wedding 3:48

[13] Joseph Sulzer – Sarabande 4:22

[14] César Espéjo – Airs Tziganes 3:24

[15] Pyotr Tchaikovsky – Melodie, Op.42 No.3 4:17

Re-mastering 2025: Paul Arden-Taylor

Disc 2: Ida Haendel / Josef Hassid [77:55]

Ida Haendel & Gerald Moore

[1] Andante and Presto –Tartini arr. Bridgewater CLP1021-1953 6:47

[2] Caprice in A Minor, Op.1 No.24 –Paganini CLP1021-1953 7:37

[3] Nigun (No.2 from ‘Baal Shem’) –Bloch CLP1021-1953 6:17

[4] Slavonic Dance E minor, Op.46 No.2 –

Dvořák arr Kreisler C4262 & 7P151 30/7/53 CLP1021 4:40

[5] Waltz in Ab major, Op.39/15 –

Brahms arr. Hochstein CLP1021-1953 2:27

[6] Six Romanian Folk Dances –Bartók arr. Székely CLP1021-1953 6:04

[7] Habanera –Ravel B9994-18/5/50 3:02

[8] Polonaise Brillante No.1 –Wieniawski C3818-21/9/48 4:34

[9] Scherzo Impromptu –Grieg B10135-18/5/50 2:24

[10] Hoe Down (Rodeo) –Copland B9994 18/5/50 2:56

Josef Hassid & Gerald Moore (3 recording sessions, 1940)

[11] Mélodie, Op.42 No.3 –Tchaikovsky OEA8550 B9074 3:10

[12] Humoresque, Op.101 No.7 –Dvořák arr. Kreisler 2EA9052: C3219 3:26

[13] Meditation (Thais) –Massenet arr. Marsick 2EA9053; C3208 4:00

[14] La Capricieuse, Op.17 –Elgar OEA8803; B9074 3:25

[15] Playera, Op.23/1 (Danzas Españolas No.5)–Sarasate 2EA8801 C3185 4:07

[16] Zapateado, Op.23/2 (Danzas Españolas No.6)–Sarasate 2EA8802 C3185 3:30

[17] Caprice Viennois, Op.2 –Kreisler 2EA8900; C3208 3:43

[18] Hebrew Melody, Op.33 –Achron 2EA9051: C3219 4:41

Originally Produced for HMV by Walter Legge

Audio restoration 2023: Gene Gaudette; Final Master: Paul Arden-Taylor

Disc 3: Jascha Heifetz [73:45]

Korngold: Violin Concerto in D, Op.35 [21:33] (Rec.1953)

with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orcherstra / Alfred Wallenstein

[1] I: Moderato nobile 7:52 [2] II: Andante 7:11

[3] III: Allegro assai vivace 6:30

Lalo: Symphonie Espagnole, Op.21 [23:56] (Rec.1951)

with the RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra / William Steinberg

N.B. The third movement of ‘Symphonie Espagnole’ was not recorded

[4] I: Allegro non troppo 7:17 [5] II: Scherzando 4:21

[6] IV:Andante 5:44 [7] V: Rondo 6:34

George Gershwin Encores with Emanuel Bay (Piano) (Rec.1944)

[8] Gershwin (arr.Heifetz): Prelude No.1 1:31

[9] Gershwin (arr.Heifetz): Prelude No.2 2:50

[10] Gershwin (arr.Heifetz): Prelude No.3 1:14

[11] Gershwin (from ‘Porgy and Bess’): Summertime 1:46

[12] Gershwin (from ‘Porgy and Bess’): A Woman Is A Sometime Thing 1:49

[13] Gershwin (from ‘Porgy and Bess’): My Man’s Gone Now 3:54

[14] Gershwin (from ‘Porgy and Bess’): It Ain’t Necessarily So 2:29

[15] Gershwin (from ‘Porgy and Bess’): Tempo di Blues 2:53

[16] Gershwin (from ‘Porgy and Bess’): Bess, You Is My Woman Now 3:02

********************************************************************

[17] Trad.: Deep River (with Milton Kaye, Piano Rec.1944) 2:20

[18] Weill (arr.Frenkel) (from ‘The Threepenny Opera’): Moderato assai 2:18

with Emmanuel Bay (Piano) Rec.1944

[19] Benjamin (arr.Primrose): Jamaican Rumba /Milton Kaye (Piano, 1944 1:36

Re-mastering 2025 Paul Arden-Taylor

Disc 4: Fritz Kreisler [79:17]

His Arrangements and Compositions [*K = Arranged]

1926 with Arpád Sándor (piano)

[1] May Breeze (Mendelssohn: Songs without Words)*K 2:43

1926-8 with Carl Lamson (piano)

[2] Deep in My Heart, Dear (Romberg)*K 3:14

[3] At Dawning (Cadman) 2:33

[4] En Bateau (Debussy/arr. Choisnel)) 3:09

[5] The Girl with Flaxen Hair (Debussy/arr. Hartmann) 2:29

[6] Ruralia – Molto vivace (exc) (Dohnányi) 2:07

[7] Mighty lak’ a Rose (Trad.)*K 2:11

[8] The Rosary (Nevin)*K 2:02

[9] Indian Lament (Dvořák)*K 4:22

[10] Songs My Mother Taught Me (Dvořák)*K 2:40

[11] Blue Skies (Irving Berlin)*K 3:37

1927 &1930 with Michael Raucheisen (piano)

[12] Syncopation (Kreisler)[Trio MR also Hugo Kreisler, cello] 1927 1:58

[13] Marche Miniature Viennoise (Kreisler) [Trio also Hugo] 1927 2:54

[14] Intermezzo 2nd Suite L’Arlesienne (Bizet)*K [Trio, 1927] 4:28

[15] Chanson de Louis X111 (Kreisler in style of Couperin) 3:37

[16] Ballet de Rosamunde (Schubert)*Kreisler 2:59

[17] Polichinelle/Pulcinella – Serenade (Kreisler) 2:19

[18] Serenade Espangole (Glazunov)*K 2:37

[19] The Old Refrain (Brandl)*K 3:10

[20] Scherzo alla Dittersdorf (Kreisler in style of ) [Kreisler Quartet:

Thomas Petre, William Primrose and Lauri Kennedy] (1935) 3:20

1936-8 with Franz Rupp (piano)

[21] Hymn to the Sun (Rimsky-Korsakov- Coq d’Or)*K 4:00

[22] Spanish Dance (Falla-La Vida Breve)*K 3:29

[23] Song of India (Rimsky-Korsakov -Sadko)*K 3:13

[24] Dancing Doll (Poldini)*K 2:24

[25] La Gitana (Kreisler) 3:06

[26] Tambourin Chinois (Kreisler) 3:26

Re-mastering 2024 Paul Arden-Taylor

Disc 5: Yehudi Menuhin [78:50]

‘The Young Menuhin’

Schumann – Violin Concerto in D minor [26:59]

[1] I. In kräftigem, nicht zu schnellem Tempo 12:23

[2] II. Langsam 5:48 [3] Lebhaft, doch nicht zu schnell 8:47

New York Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra / John Barbirolli (1938)

Brahms: Hungarian Dances (arr Joachim)

[4] No.1 in G minor 2:49 [5] No.7 in A major 1:58

with Marcel Gazelle (piano) (1936)

Enescu: Sonata No.3 in A minor, Op.25 [23:33]

[6] I. Moderato malinconico 7:55

[7] II. Andante sostenuto e misterioso 8:19

[8] III. Allegro con brio, ma non troppo mosso 7:19

with Hephzibah Menuhin (piano) (1936)

Vieuxtemps: Violin Concerto No.4 in D minor, Op.31 [23:10]

[9] I. Andante – Moderato 6:49 [10] II. Adagio religioso 6:23

[11] III. Scherzo & Trio 4:16 [12] IV. Finale: Allegro 5:41

with Philharmonia Orchestra / Walter Susskind (1951)

Re-mastering 2025 Paul Arden-Taylor

Disc 6: Nathan Milstein [79:08]

(with Leon Pommers piano)

1. Smetana – From Má Vlast (No.2) 4:39

2. Gluck arr.Kreisler – Dance of the Blessed Spirits 2:45

3. Wieniawski – Mazurka Op.19 No.2 3:13

4. Vivaldi – Siciliano from Concerto in E flat ‘Il Retiro’ 3:09

5. Kodály arr. Milstein – It Rains in the Village 1:30

6. Chopin arr.Milstein – Nocturne C sharp minor No.20, op.posth. 3:39

7. Ries – Perpetuum mobile 2:45

8. Nardini – Larghetto from Sonata in B flat 2:49

9. Brahms arr.Joachim – Hungarian Dance No.2 in D minor 3:08

10. Massenet arr.Marsick – Meditation from Thais 4:03

11. Stravinsky arr. Dushkin – Russian Maiden’s Song 3:15

12. Paradis arr. Dushkin – Sicilienne 2:39

13. Rimsky-Korsakov arr.Hartmann – Flight of the Bumblebee 1:15

14. Brahms arr.Hochstein – Waltz Op.39 No.15 1:26

15. Poldini arr. Kreisler – The Dancing Doll 2:34

16. Wieniawski – Polonaise brillante No.1 in D, Op.4) 4:25

17. Falla arr.Kochanski – Asturiana 2:19

18. Falla arr.Kochanski – Jota 2:44

19. Ravel – Berceuse on the name of Gabriel Fauré 2:05

20. Sarasate – Romanza Andaluza 4:08

21. Schumann arr.Hullweck – Traumerei 2:33

22. J.S.Bach arr.Wilhelmj – Air from Suite No.3 4:39

23. Novacek – Perpetuum Mobile 2:37

24. Tchaikovsky – Melodie 3:32

25. Debussy arr.Hartmann- The Maid with the Flaxen Hair 2:08

26. Wieniawski – Scherzo-Tarantelle Op.16 3:43

[HMV recordings from 3 LPs 1958-62] Re-mastering 2023 Paul Arden-Taylor

Disc 7: David Oistrakh [75:23]

Mozart: Sinfonia Concertante in Eb major, K364 [30:34]

[1] Allegro maestoso 12:50

[2] Andante 11:54

[3] Presto 5:49

Violin Concerto No.3 in G major, K216 [23:17]

[4] Allegro 8:44

[5] Adagio 8:17

[6] Rondeau: Allegro 6:15

Moscow Chamber Orchestra / Rudolf Barshai (also Viola in K364)

Violin Concerto No.1 in Bb major, K207* [21:14]

[7] Allegro moderato 7:22

[8] Adagio 7:49

[9] Presto 6:02

Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra / Kirill Kondrashin*

Originally issued: Artia (1-3, 1960); M.K (4-6, 1960); Artia (7-9, 1963)

All recorded in Moscow; New digital master 2022 by Paul Arden-Taylor

Disc 8: Michael Rabin [74:53]

from Parnassus Complete Bell Telephone Hours Recordings

1. Paganini: Caprice No.17 (7 August 1950) 3:16

2. Kreisler: Tambourin Chinois (2 February 1962) 3:39

3. Saint-Saens: Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso (17/12/51) 8:50

4. Sarasate: Zigeunerweisen (24 October 1955) 7:55

5. Saint-Saens: Havanaise (10 May 1954) 9:18

6. Elgar: La capricieuse (23 August 1954) 3:53

7. Kreisler: Liebesleid (23 August 1954) 3:30

8. Suk: Burleska (28 March 1955) 2:40

9. Brahms: Violin Concerto – finale (13 June 1955) 7:34

10. Engel: Sea Shell (18 June 1956) 2:49

11. Saint-Saens/Ysaye: Caprice (18 June 1956) 6:05

12. Bruch: Scottish Fantasia – 3rd movement (3 June 1957) 2:03

13. Bruch: Scottish Fantasia – 4th movement (3 June 1957) 6:40

14. Gardner: From the Canebreak (3 February 1958) 1:23

15. Sarasate: Habanera (3 February 1958) 4:05

Re-mastering 2023/24: Gene Gaudette (Urlicht NYC)

Disc 9: Toscha Seidel [79:34]

‘Rare & Re-mastered’

1. Hebrew Melody Achron, arr. Zimbalist, Op.33 3:46

Philip Goodman, pf, ex Columbia 98615 50133-D 30.1.29

2. Schön Rosmarin Kreisler 1:46

Emanuel Bay, pf, ex Columbia W144855 DB 29 13.10.27

3. Liebesfreud Kreisler 2:48

Emanuel Bay, pf, ex Columbia W144862 DB 29 14.10.27

4. Ave Maria Schubert, arr. Wilhelmj 4:30

Philip Goodman, pf, ex Columbia 98616 50133-D 30.1.29

5. Romance Wieniawski: Concerto No.2 D minor, Op.22 (II) 4:23

Louis T. Gruenberg, pf, ex Columbia 49447 7361 17.6.18

6. Hejre Kati Hubay: Scenes from the Csàrda, Op.32 No.4 3:55

Louis T. Gruenberg, pf, ex Columbia 49630 49630 7.5.19

7. Caprice viennois Kreisler, Op.2 4:23

Louis T. Gruenberg, pf, ex Columbia 49449 7231 18/19.6.19

8. Serenade (Ständchen) Schubert, arr. Elman 3:44

Louis T. Gruenberg, pf, ex Columbia 49453 7361 20.6.18

9. Andante Lalo: Symphonie Espagnole, Op.21 – (IV) 4:23

With orchestra ex Columbia 98099 68021-D 9.10.23

10. Finale Mendelssohn: Concerto in D minor, Op.64 (IV) 2:46

With orchestra ex Columbia 98111 68021-D 20.12.23

11. Orientale Cui: (from Kaleidoscope Op.50) 2:37

With orchestra ex Columbia 78138 33027-D 22.10.18

12. Valse Bleue Margis 2:17

Harry Kaufman, pf , ex Columbia 78760 33041-D 27.10.19

13. Indian Snake Dance Burleigh 2:12

Francisco Longo, pf, ex Columbia 80821 33002-D 19.5.23

14. Chanson Arabe Rimsky-Korsakov (Scheherazade) arr Kreisler 3:14

Francisco Longo, pf, ex Columbia 80825 33002-D 2.2.23

15. Prelude (Le Déluge) Saint-Saens 4:07

Max Rabinwitsch, pf, ex Columbia 09505 98276-4-C 11.6.26

16. Minuet in G (Humoresques) Paderewski 3:49

Harry Kaufman, pf, ex Columbia 49950 68029-D 15.3.21

17. Canzonetta d’Ambrosio 3:34

Harry Kaufman, pf, ex Columbia 49689 68072-D 5.11.19

18. Chausson: Poème Live radio broadcast from Hollywood Bowl, 1945 17:46

Hollywood Bowl Symphony / Leopold Stokowski

19. I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles Kellette 2:45

Harry Kaufman, pf, ex Columbia 78798 11.7.19

[1-10] With thanks to Raymond Glaspole for raw masters!

Audio restoration: Gene Gaudette; Final master: Paul Arden-Taylor, 2022

Disc 10: Joseph Szigeti [76:55]

1. J S Bach: Chaconne from Partita No.2 in D minor 16:05

(Vanguard ATMCD 1246, rec 1955/56, New York)

Beethoven: Sonata No.4 in A minor, Op.23 [16:47] (ATMCD 1585)

2. Presto 5:32

3. Andante scherzoso piu allegretto 6:08

4. Allegro molto 5:06

with Claudio Arrau (piano): Library of Congress Washington, 1944)

Bartok: Rhapsody No.1 [9:07] with Béla Bartók (piano)

5. Lassu 4:12 6. Friss 4:55

(Vanguard 1583, Library of Congress, Washington, 1940)

Bloch: Violin Concerto in A minor [34:30]

7. Allegro deciso 18:07

8. Andante 6:10

9. Deciso 10:12

Paris Conservatoire Orchestra / Charles Munch (1939, Paris)

Re-mastering: Gene Gaudette & Paul Arden-Taylor 20

Tartini ‘Devil’s Trill’ & ‘Didone abbandonata’ Sonatas Vivaldi: Five Double Violin Concertos

amuletts — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 00:04:00 +0000

(Tartini) “the Oistrakh version remains unrivalled … (he) commands a winning sweetness of tone … and is helped by a rounder and richer recorded quality.”
(Vivaldi): “the harpsichord comes to life with a vengeance, being especially enterprising in the finale. The playing of the two soloists is, needless to say, the height of efficiency.” (Gramophone)

Giuseppe Tartini (1692-1770) Sonata in G minor ‘Devil’s Trill’ [15:12]

[1] Larghetto affetuoso – Allegro 6:51 [2] Grave – Allegro assai – Grave –

Allegro assai – Grave 4:52 [3] Allegro assai – Adagio 3:28

Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)

Concerto Grosso in A minor Op.3 No.8 ‘The Echo’ P2 (RV522) [12:12]

From L’estro armonico (Con violino principale con altro per eco in lontano)

[4] I. Allegro 3:53 [5] II. Larghetto e spiritoso 4:22 [6] III. Allegro 3:57

Concerto for Two Violins in G minor P366 (RV517) [9:13]

[7] I. Allegro 3:32 [8] II. Andante 2:05 [9] III. Allegro 3:35

Concerto for Two Violins in D major P189 (RV512) [8:59]

[10] I. Allegro molto 3:10 [11] II. Largo 2:37 [12] III. Allegro 3:10

Concerto for Two Violins in C minor P436 (RV509) [9:52]

[13] I. Allegro ma poco e cantabile 4:08 [14] II. Andante molto 2:52 [15] III. Allegro 2:51

Concerto for Two Violins in D minor P281 (RV514) [10:47]

[16] I. Allegro non molto 4:05 [17] II. Adagio 3:29 [18] III. Allegro molto 3:12

Tartini: Sonata in G minor Op.1 No.10 “Didone abbandonata” [12:30]

[19] I. Adagio 6:09 [20] II. Presto non troppo 1:45

[21] III. Largo 1:49 [22] IV. Allegro commodo 2:46

David Oistrakh, violin;

with: Igor Oistrakh, RPO, Eugene Goossens (4-6) (1961, DGG);

Isaac Stern, Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy (7-18)

(CBS 1961); Lev Oborin, (1-3), (EMI,1957); Vladimir Yampolsky,

(19-22), (Paris- live 1959) pianos

TOTAL TIME 79:00 Mastering: Paul Arden-Taylor

Mozart Violin Concertos Nos.4 & 5 PLUS Violin Sonata K454

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:48:12 +0000

[K.219] (his) innate musicality shone through … (he) should be heard if you don’t mind a much fuller tone in Mozart … distinguished by the beautiful phrasing of David Oistrakh, very sympathetically supported by the Dresden Orchestra and Konwitschny.” (Gramophone)
[K.218] “very romantic …a legendary violinist at his absolute peak, recorded in better sound than possible then in his own country and sympathetically supported” [K454] “a warmly cosseted account of Mozart’s great B flat Sonata, with Yampolsky providing trim pianistic support.” (Gramophone)

Violin Concerto No.4 in D, K218 [25:00]

[1] I. Allegro 9:20

[2] II. Andante cantabile 8:03

[3] III. Rondo: Andante grazioso 7:36

with Philadelphia Orchestra / Eugene Ormandy

Violin Sonata No.32 in Bb, K454 [21:27]

[4] I. Largo – Allegro 6:58

[5] II. Andante 7:48

[6] III. Allegretto 6:40

with Vladimir Yampolsky (piano)

Violin Concerto No.5 in A, K219 [29:46]

[7] I. Allegro aperto – Adagio – Allegro aperto 9:30

[8] II. Adagio 11:02

[9] III. Tempo di Menuetto – Allegro – Tempo di Menuetto 9:13

with Staatskapelle Dresden / Franz Konwitschny

Mozart: Sinfonia Concertante K364 Violin Concertos No.1 K207 & No.3 K216

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:47:04 +0000

“you can’t go wrong with Oistrakh’s pre-authenticity Mozart. True, this is big-boned, dyed in the wool Mozart, 1960’s style. Tempi are relaxed, textures quite heavy and the ethos masculine and robust … subtle shadings are there – but the prevailing spirit is strong-limbed engagement. K216 was always one of his best pieces of Mozart playing … he also contributes his own, rather good, cadenzas … second movement characteristically expressive and full of the artist’s noble warmth, and a spirit of romance enlivens the finale. Sinfonia Concertante opens at a real maestoso-qualified Allegro. Directed from the viola by Barshai … once again, there’s real affection in the Andante and the finale is nicely buoyant” (MusicWeb)

Sinfonia Concertante in Eb major, K364 [30:34]

[1] Allegro maestoso 12:50

[2] Andante 11:54

[3] Presto 5:49

Violin Concerto No.3 in G major, K216 [23:17]

[4] Allegro 8:44

[5] Adagio 8:17

[6] Rondeau: Allegro 6:15

Violin Concerto No.1 in Bb major, K207* [21:14]

[7] Allegro moderato 7:22

[8] Adagio 7:49

[9] Presto 6:02

Mieczysław Weinberg (1919-96) Piano Quintet / Moldavian Rhapsody / Violin Concerto

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:47:04 +0000

“the Piano Quintet does full justice to the densely packed chords and widely spaced spread of sound which Weinberg avowedly learnt from his mentor Shostakovich. It is engaging, expertly written and played with great address by the composer himself … To survive so much terror and retain such creative energy compels admiration. The Quintet may seem more rewarding for the surprising range of invention (eg. wild Irish fiddle). The performance is admirable. … Shostakovich declared how impressed he was with the Violin Concerto ‘splendidly interpreted by the violinist-Communist L.Kogan’ (a tart reference to Kogan’s politics.) This must be an authoritative performance … Kogan deals magnificently with a violin part that is seldom silent … Not surprisingly, Rhapsody on Moldavian Themes carries suggestions of the Enescu of the Romanian Rhapsodies. It receives a splendidly vigorous performance by Oistrakh” (Gramophone)

Piano Quintet in F Minor, Op.18 (1944) [40:00]

Mieczysław Weinberg, (piano); with the Borodin Quartet

[1] I. Moderato con moto 7:31

[2] II. Allegretto 5:56

[3] III. Presto 5:14

[4] IV. Largo 12:56

[5] V. Allegro agitato 8:21

[6] Rhapsody on Moldavian Themes, Op.47/2 (1949) 9:41

David Oistrakh (violin) & Mieczysław Weinberg (piano),

Violin Concerto in G minor, Op.67 (1959) [25:33]

Leonid Kogan, (violin), with Moscow P.O/ Kirill Kondrashin

[7] I. Allegro molto 7:02

[8] II. Allegretto 5:59

[9] III. Adagio 6:14

[10] IV. Allegro risoluto 6:17

Tchaikovsky & Sibelius Violin Concertos Tchaikovsky ‘Meditation’ from ‘Souvenir d’un Lieu Cher’

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:44:05 +0000

(Tchaikovsky) “warm, relaxed and romantic, has the right degree of restraint in the obvious lyrical moments … it is completely convincing” (Sibelius) “Oistrakh in the Sibelius concerto is of course to be recommended – this is a fine bargain, especially as Ormandy, too, is in excellent form … the Philadelphia strings are both very strong and very impressive” (Gramophone)

Piotr Tchaikovsky
Violin Concerto in D Minor, Op. 47 (34:35)

[1] Allegro moderato 18:31
[2] Adagio di molto 6:34
[3] Allegro, ma non tanto 9:29
[4] Meditation from Souvenir d’un Lieu Cher 9:32
with Vladimir Yampolsky (piano)
Jean Sibelius
Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35 (30:41)
[5] Allegro moderato 14:53
[6] Canzonetta (Andante) 8:23
[7] Finale: Allegro vivacissimo 7:24

Bruch: Violin Concerto No.1; Scottish Fantasy; Brahms: Hungarian Dances 5,8,9

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:44:04 +0000

“A first-class recording helps this Concerto into a winner; that, with Oistrakh’s first-class performance. His technical wizardry can be taken for granted, but here is too, some unbending towards the warm romanticism the work requires … all these virtues result in an unhesitating recommendation”. (Fantasia) “The performance is superlative … The recordings have satisfying balance between soloist and orchestra, and both are excellent.” (Gramophone)

Bruch: Violin Concerto No.1 in G minor, Op. 26

Bruch: Scottish Fantasia, Op.46
4. Introduction (Grave) – Adagio Cantabile 8:32
5. Allegro 5:13
6. Andante Sostenuto 7:37
7. Finale (Allegro Guerriero) 9:16

Brahms: Hungarian Dances WoO1. (arr. for violin Joachim)
with Vladimir Yampolsky (piano)
8. Hungarian Dance No.9 2:29
9. Hungarian Dance No.8 2:38
10. Hungarian Dance No.5 2:20

Shostakovich Violin Concertos 1, 2 Suite from ‘Alone’

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:43:42 +0000

“Similar feelings (soaring spontaneity and deeply perceptive intelligence) attend his readings of the Shostakovich concertos – added to which is my growing certainty that this version of No.I (accompanied by the great Mravinsky) is his finest. … It was with Mravinsky and the Leningrad that Oistrakh (as dedicatee) gave the first performance … Oistrakh plays as impeccably as ever, and the Leningrad Philharmonic gives admirably vital support” (Op.126) “taken as a whole, this is a most rewarding work and gets a most eloquence performance from Oistrakh who plays with his familiar virtuosity and sweetness of tone.” (Gramophone)

Violin Concerto in A minor Op.99 [36:29]
[1] Nocturne: Moderato 11:52
[2] Scherzo: Allegro 6:18
[3] Passacaglia: Andante – Cadenza (attacca) – 13:30
[4] Burlesque: Allegro con brio – Presto 4:46
Violin Concerto No. 2 in C sharp minor Op.129 (1967) [29:45]
[5] Moderato 12:43
[6] Adagio 8:52
[7] Adagio-allegro 8:10
Suite from the Film “Alone” Op.26 [12:33]
[8] March 4:17
[9] Largo 2:14
[10] Allegretto 6:02

Bach & Vivaldi Double Violin Concertos

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:42:35 +0000

“Oistrakh’s justly renowned performances … the playing is peerless. In the Bach Double Concerto, father and son are suitably contrasted in timbre and the performance of the great slow movement is Elysian.” (Penguin Guide 3 stars)
“The soloists play on the string almost throughout, with much less staccato than most listeners will be used to … and there is some delightful and assured playing all through. (Vivaldi): … the harpsichord comes to life with a vengeance, being especially enterprising in the finale. The playing of the two soloists is, needless to say, the height of efficiency.” (Gramophone)

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Concerto for Two Violins in D minor BWV1043*
1. I. Vivace – 4:11 2. II. Largo ma non tanto – 7:26 3. III. Allegro – 5:15
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)

Concerto for Two Violins in G minor P366 (RV517)**
4. I. Allegro – 3:32 5. II. Andante – 2:05 6. III. Allegro – 3:35
Concerto for Two Violins in D major P189 (RV512)**
7. I. Allegro molto – 3:10 8. II. Largo – 2:37 9. III. Allegro – 3:10
Concerto for Two Violins in C minor P436 (RV509)**
10. I. Allegro ma poco e cantabile – 4:08
11. II. Andante molto – 2:52 12. III. Allegro – 2:51
Concerto for Two Violins in D minor P281 (RV514)**
13. I. Allegro non molto– 4:05 14. II. Adagio – 3:29 15. III. Allegro molto – 3:12
Concerto Grosso in A minor Op.3 No.8 ‘The Echo’ P2 (RV522)*
From L’estro armonico (Con violino principale con altro per eco in lontano)
16. I. Allegro – 3:53 17. II. Larghetto e spiritoso – 4:22 18. III. Allegro – 3:57

Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No.2 / Symphony No.15

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:36:13 +0000

Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No.2 / Symphony No.15

Catalogue No: ALC 1062

The music of Dmitri Shostakovich is more popular than ever. His daring use of the symphonic form, often blunt and emptional musicality, and bold orchestration challenged the status quo of Soviet art and arguably conveyed the secret (and not-so-secret) horror of the “glorious Socialist workers’ paradise.” Two of Shostakovich’s foremost interpreters interpreters â€“ the dynamic conductor Kiril Kondrashin and legendary violinist David Oistrakh â€“ join forces to present Shastakovich’s late concerto masterpiece, and Kondrashin leads an orchestra that was arguably “his” in Shostakovich’s final, sardonic statement in the symphonic form. Two legendary recordings, together on on value-priced CD.

Dmitri Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No.2 in c-sharp minor, Op.129

- 1 â€” I. Moderato12:43
- 2 â€” II. Adagio8:52
- 3 â€” III. Adagioâ€“Allegro8:08

Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No.15 in A Major, Op.141

4 â€” I. Allegretto7:07
5 â€” II. Adagioâ€“Largoâ€“Adagioâ€“Largo13:52
6 â€” III. Allegretto4:15
7 â€” IV: Adagioâ€“Allegrettoâ€“Adagioâ€“Allegretto15:12

Recorded 1967 (Concerto) and 1974
Licensed from A-Tempo Prague