Legend: David Oistrakh [CD & DVD]

Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Composer), Andre Cluytens (Conductor), David Oistrakh (Conductor, Performer), Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Française (Orchestra), Philharmonia Orchestra of London (Orchestra)

Product Details

• Performer: David Oistrakh
• Orchestra: Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Française, Philharmonia Orchestra of London
• Conductor: Andre Cluytens, David Oistrakh
• Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
• Audio CD (July 19, 2005)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B00092760Q
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #55,025 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A unique celebration, July 19, 2005

By	Musicus (Oslo, Norway) - See all my reviews

My different experiences with Beethoven's concerto op. 61 increasingly suggest that there is no such thing as "the best performance", since it is very much a matter of taste. I first knew this concerto by Heifetz/Munch - it didn't appeal to me. Never. I blamed Beethoven. Even a master can make weaker works and do they perform Beethoven's works or his fame? Then I found Oistrakh, who revealed the work to me. Now I have many recordings of op. 61, Francescatti/Walter and Ferras/Karajan are some other recommendable, especially the latter. Well, Oistrakh performed the concerto over decades. There are two great Oistrakh performances, the more passionate one with Ehrling (1954) and this most serene with Cluytens (1958). In 1958 the recording sound was incredibly improved. In this performance the music unfolds slowly, steadily; it advances like a polonaise through endless halls of a luminous palace, with an imperturbable pacing; dignified, grand, noble. This is not a concert anymore, rather a ceremony, a pompously festive, solemn celebration. If you are used to Oistrakh's performance with Ehrling, this grandiose performance with Cluytens may be perceived as slow, inflated, long-winded, too spacious by the director, too meticulous by the soloist. You need to be in the mood for serenity here; then you may get up, erect your standing posture and involuntarily take some stately steps to this majestic, dance-like promenade. Nothing compares to this and the only peer is Oistrakh/Ehrling, and then second best Ferras/Karajan, warm, colourful, and Francescatti/Walter, perfectly controlled first movement, particularly lovely final movement.
The Mozart K. 216 is both played and directed by Oistrakh, the announced director didn't show up that evening.
The bonus DVD shows - among other things - Oistrakh playing Beethoven's "Spring" sonata (all four movements) with Lev Oborin at the piano.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally we can get these great pieces, March 25, 2007

By	Jean-Pierre Lara A (Medellín, Colombia) - See all my reviews

This record of the Beethoven's violin concerto is in my opinion the best recorded ever, and not only for the quality indisputable of David Oistrakh but for the presence of André Cluytens, one of the greatest conductors of our age but forgotten for the majority.
The mozart's concerto is equal in quality of interpretation and the DVD is a jewel as documente and as interpretation.

This was a debt of EMI with its public and with David Oistrakh and André Cluytens, this is one of this CD's that everybody need to have.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best ever, June 15, 2008

By	J. Gordon (California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Oistrakh's performance of Beethoven's violin concerto is profoundly thrilling. I have listened to many recordings of virtuosos performing this dramatic work, and to me Oistrakh's performance is unparalleled in its perfection and deep musicality. He performs the Mozart concerto equally magnificently.