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Igor Oistrakh Recordings

Violinists: Did Igor Oistrakh ever record the Bach Partitas?

From Monelle Richmond
Posted January 30, 2005 at 10:04 PM

Not the King, but would still be wonderful to hear ...

From Scott Hawthorn
Posted on January 30, 2005 at 11:38 PM

I don't know, but I found the Bach Sonatas with Kipnis on Amazon.

I think his Bach Double with his dad is tremendous.

From carlos majlis
Posted on January 30, 2005 at 11:55 PM

I dont think so,Monelle. I'v listen his recordings of Bach's sonatas for violin and clav. and I dont think he succeed with the style.Too romantic. But there are others great recordings. His Khatchaturian,Rakov first or Taneyev Suite IMO are as good as those of David. His Bruch's first with David conducting is the best I ever heard.And his recording of all the Beet.sonatas with Natalia Zertsalova is simply splendid.

From (Mr.) Malley Keelan
Posted on February 12, 2005 at 07:09 PM

Igor also recorded the Elgar (!) concerto with the Moscow Symphony/Valentin Zhuk. It's not my favorite Elgar interpretation, but very fine. Milstein thought highly of him. In Milstein's book he mentions how concert managers would publicize Igor's concerts with the Oistrakh name in large letters, and the name Igor in small letters--for the obvious reason of trying to cash in on his father's name. Too bad--the same problem other children of superstar celebrities have had, if they go into the same field...trying to live up to the parent's reputation. Some succeed more than others. Is he still playing? Or perhaps conducting, as his father did in later years?

From Tom Holzman
Posted on February 12, 2005 at 09:36 PM

His Mozart Sinfonia Concertante with his father is perhaps the best for that piece.

From carlos majlis
Posted on February 12, 2005 at 10:49 PM

His Bruch's first with David conducting is my favorite of that work. I'v also splendid Khatchaturian v.c.and Taneyev suite. And I had once (sigh) his complete Beet.sonatas with Natalia Zertsalova, Great version!

From Pauline Lerner
Posted on February 14, 2005 at 05:25 AM

(Mr.) Malley Keelan, please tell me about Milstein's book. I'm not familiar with it.

I'd love to hear Igor and David on the Bach Double, Bruch #1, and Mozart Sinfonia Concertante. I see another dent in my budget coming soon.

From Stephen Brivati
Posted on February 14, 2005 at 06:06 AM

Greetings,
Milstein` s book is called `from Russia to the West.` It is out of print but possible to get with a little effort (and expense)on the Internet. It does not tell one a great deal about violin playing per se (althought here are a few gems about interpretation for the thoughtful reader), or even about Milstein`s violnistic development in depth. But as an auto/biography (sort of) it gives a fasicnatin gpersonal history and an autididacts typically idiosyncratic but penetrating insight into many of the great musical figures of the 20c, as indeed Milstein was.
It slips into a rather meandering account of himself in relation to Balanchine and vice versa by the end but it is certainly worth the read.
As for Igor Oistrakh, he is still performing but , if the reviews are to be belived not playing with any especial grace these days. But he was a fantastic player and I think it is fair to say that he carved a career out for himself in spite of the advantges or handicaps of the name he bears. Also a very great teacher from whose stable has emerged Mr. Bron so he is owed a debt of gratitude from the violin playign fraternity,
Cheers,
Buri

From theo bartley
Posted on June 2, 2005 at 10:55 PM

Yes, I borrowed a copy of Igor Oistrakh's recording of Sonantas and Partitas from my local lending library about 15-20 years ago. I tried to buy my own copy but it must have been out of print by then. The nearest I could get was Milstein's version which was ok, but I much preferred Oistrakh's. Regards, Theo.

From Pauline Lerner
Posted on June 3, 2005 at 04:28 AM

I just found an LP with Igor Oistrakh playing Bach's Sonata #1 in g minor on ebay. Hurry, only 16 hours left to buy it. ;-)

From Sander Marcus
Posted on June 3, 2005 at 06:48 PM

Igor Oistrakh made a recording (I don't remember by whom or with what else on it) that had the Ysaye Sonata #3. It was an absolutely spectacular performance, better than that of his own father and of anyone else I've ever heard. If anyone has heard of this on CD, please respond.

From Terry King
Posted on June 26, 2005 at 03:43 AM

I just got hold of an old LP of Igor Oistrakh playing the Bartok concerto with Rozhdestvensky and the Moscow State Symphony. It's really terrific, one of the best recorded performances I've heard of my personal pick for greatest 20th-century violin concerto. The recording isn't first-rate--the orchestra is somewhat murky--but Igor sounds phenomenal. I think he's really one of the most underappreciated violinists of his era.

By the way, there's an interesting interview with Igor at:
http://www.mvdaily.com/articles/2003/02/igor1.htm

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