MOZART, W.A.: Violin Concerto No. 5 / BEETHOVEN, L. van: Romances / WIENIAWSKI, H.: Violin Concerto No. 2 (D. Oistrakh, I. Oistrakh) (1954-1956)

Albumbeschreibung

David and Igor Oistrakh are among the most successful -- and certainly the most frequently recorded -- father and son violinists to emerge in the last century. This Berlin Classics album features David and son Igor in performances within about two years of each other. This gives listeners a glimpse at the similarities -- and indeed the differences -- between these two venerable artists at approximately the same periods in their lives. Such a comparison would not be possible if it were not for the exceptional restored quality of these recordings. Made originally between 1954 and 1956, the overall sound quality and tonal clarity are as good as many more modern recordings. In the Mozart concerto, performed by David, the solo violin's sound is remarkably clear, warm, and vivid. David's playing here is a perfect demonstration of the strength with which he played. This is certainly a romanticized version of Mozart, but not one that is overdone or distasteful. Rather, it is filled with energy, tightly focused sound, and warmth of tone. Igor's performance of the Beethoven Romances and Wieniawski's Second concerto is equally refined as his father's playing, but with a much more generous use of vibrato and glissando, and a broader palate of dynamics. This album is appropriate not only for connoisseurs of finely reproduced historical recordings, but of brilliant, inspiring violin playing as well.

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