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In the Forum: Musical Discussions
In the Thread: Oistrakh(s) on Monitor MC 2009 (1957)
Post Subject: Oistrakh(s) on Monitor MC 2009 (1957)Posted by Paul S on: 9/8/2007
David O. and his son, Igor, open with JS Bach's Concierto in D minor for 2 violins and orchestra, with violinist Rudolf Barshai doing a bang-up job conducting "the orchestra". Of course the Oistrakhs are wonderful, but the "orchestra" is also beautifully voiced for a change of pace where Bach is concerned, and the whole manages to be greater than the sum of the parts without taking anything away from the soloists.
Next, father, son and David's old friend, accompanist Vladimir Yampolsky, add some uncharacteristic Russian schmaltz - but only a little tiny bit - to Sarasate's "Navarra", with delightful results.
The disc also includes another great secular piece by JS Bach, the Sonata #6 in G Major for violin and piano, with Yampolsky accompanying. Naturally, it's terrific.
To close, David and Vladimir shift gears to play Hindemith's Sonata in E Flat Major for violin and piano. How many times have you heard Hindemith ruined by either no sense of the whole or anticipation, where the isolated tones are not allowed to develop? Well, here is Hindemith at his best, IMO, as good as any of Hindemith's own stints as a conductor.
OK, I am a sucker for David Oistrakh, but I am not kidding when I say this is a nice LP, indeed. It even has good (mono)recording and good vinyl.
You hardly drop the needle before the side is over.
If anyone knows which "orchestra" this is, I would sure like to know. Sometimes it seems like any rag-tag group of Russian commies could just sit down and make music that put the "free world" to shame.
Paul SRerurn to Romy the Cat's Site