David Oistrakh

Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer), Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer), Johannes Brahms (Composer), Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky (Composer), Eugene Goossens (Conductor), Franz Konwitschny (Conductor), Georg Fischer (Performer), Vienna Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Dresden Staatskapelle (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Georg Fischer
• Orchestra: Vienna Symphony Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Dresden Staatskapelle
• Conductor: Eugene Goossens, Franz Konwitschny
• Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven, Johannes Brahms, Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
• Audio CD (January 23, 1996)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000001GQI
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #43,137 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

74 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fabulous and affordable collection, July 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: David Oistrakh (Audio CD)

Oistrakh often seems to be unjustly ranked below many western violinists in the hierarchy of this century's great musicians. Oistrakh combines technical facility comparable to that of Heifetz with a nobility of feeling seen in only a small handfull of musicians. Moreover, he retains something seldom seen since the turn of the century--personality. His performances are loaded with deeply personal musical understanding and delightful affectation. At the same time, he never seems to lose touch with the music itself in the search for a personal interpretation. Unlike all too many modern performances, the playing here is never tasteless, never contrived. Rather, it comes straight from the soul of one of this century's finest musicians. All of these performances are among the finest I've heard.

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very nice set, but the Brahms is outstanding, August 12, 2004

By 

Jeffrey Lee (Asheville area, NC USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: David Oistrakh (Audio CD)

Though I usually prefer a bit more briskness in the faster movements, the Bach pieces for both single and double violins are given fine performances. Especially lovely is the Oistrakhs' reading of the adagio in BMV 1043. Thankfully, the sound does not exhibit the kind of steeliness or stridency fairly often characteristic of other Baroque and Early Classical period recordings....The two Beethoven Romances with Eugene Goossens and the Royal Philharmonic are given expectedly warm, songful readings.

On disc two, the Tchaikovsky Concerto is not as well recorded as the Brahms (discussed later). In comparison, it sounds just a tad boxy and muddy, but it's still decent. At various times in the first movement the pace is a bit slow, with Konwitschny sharing the responsibility. Overall, though, it's a nice performance, with the last movement being particularly enjoyable. This said I still prefer Oistrakh's stereo reading with Ormandy. My absolute favorite is the stunning Heifetz/Reiner.

The biggest attention getter for me in this compilation is the Brahms Concerto. The obvious comparison is with Oistrakh/Klemperer. For quite some time I have considered that performance among the finest---and I still do. But I do not get as much satisfaction from it as this one (in very fine mono) with Konwitschny conducting the Dresden Staatskapelle. One key reason is that Oistrakh is miked closer than he is with Klemperer. I hear more of his violin, and it sounds wonderful. A sense of warmth and richness is more apparent. Oistrakh seems more relaxed as well. With Klemperer, by comparison, he seems less attuned to beauty, more business-like and slightly restless. With Konwitschny, he seems to be enjoying more thoroughly what he is doing, more focused on making music as opposed to just playing notes. Hear how he brings more suppleness and sensitivity to the adagio. Indeed, throughout the entire performance he is no less virtuostic than he is with Klemperer yet he seems more able to let his emotions speak with greater expressiveness. Albeit, these two Oistrakh conceptions along with Heifetz/Reiner, Szeryng/Monteux and Krebbers/Haitink sit at the top of my list of favorites in this magnificent work.

46 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars King David, September 14, 2001

By 

Brian H. Williams (Manteca, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: David Oistrakh (Audio CD)

Oistrakh, that great Russian violinist of sentiment and technical prowess is shown at his best in this collection. The Heifetz/Reiner version of Brahms on RCA seems to be the most famous, but this performance by Oistrakh and Konwitschny is better. Oistrakh has much more heart than Heifetz. Heifetz has always been cold blooded. If you want warmth and sentiment, Oistrakh is your man. Oistrakh also has a Brahms concerto with Klemperer, in stereo. If you must have one in stereo, the one with Klemperer will suffice, since Oistrakh's performance with Szell has not yet been issued on cd. The Beethoven romances are filled with such warmth and emotion, it's bound to give you goose bumps. The Tchaikovsky is also played in the grand, warm Oistrakh manner. Once you hear Oistrakh's deep sense of emotion, you will be hard pressed hearing it by others. There are many good performances, but get Oistrakh's. You'll be glad you did.