David Oistrakh - was there ever a more reliable solo violinist?

[Bergonzi]

Hi Barbirollians, for many years (especially decades ago, when I still played the violin myself) I wouldn't have hesitated to agree wholeheartedly — and I still like many of his recordings, even though I now prefer playing with less vibrato. One recording that I always wanted to have (on LP) were his Beethoven sonatas, with Lev Oborin; I acquired those on CD lately — and was rather disappointed (see here), even though that's (in parts) due to the poor recording technique: with these works he doesn't even stand a remote chance against Faust/Melnikov, Mullova/Bezuidenhout, or Kremer/Argerich. I'm also not that happy with his KV 481 (with Badura-Skoda) and his KV 216 (Philharmonia), and even with his Beethoven op.61 recordings (Gauk or Cluytens) I think that there are better recordings (and haven't listened to Faust yet!).

In my opinion Oistrakh's Beethoven sonatas with Lev Oberin (recorded in the 1950's in Paris) have yet to be equalled. True sonata playing and well recorded. Great musicianship.

I also heard Oistrakh live in the late 50's early 60's in the RAH London playing Brahms and Beethoven concertos. Truly great playing.

At that time his technique was closely studied by teachers, players and students and was considered the most reliable method for most people. Heifetz was also studied, but it was more unique to him, and less perfect for the average Joe.* Personally I consider Heifetz to be the hottest player ever!

* This is possibly why Heifetz retired from playing a little early, it was a more intense style of delivery, but extremely beautiful, and not in the least cold.

[richardfinegold]

Nathan Milstein. As great as Heifetz and and Oistrakh were, Milstein had no equal

[Bergonzi]

Nathan Milstein. As great as Heifetz and and Oistrakh were, Milstein had no equal

I would not care to choose between Milstein, Heifetz, and Oistrakh. All were unique and along with Kreisler the greatest violinists of the 20C.

[BBMmk2]

I used to have a LP box set of Oistrakh's playing various concerti. I will always remembering a mesmerising performance of Shostakovich's Violin Concerto No.2, which had me hooked. Another one was Maxim Vengerov's.

[cloughie]

I would not care to choose between Milstein, Heifetz, and Oistrakh. All were unique and along with Kreisler the greatest violinists of the 20C.

I am a time-served Milstein fan but how could we humble listeners choose - Szeryng and Grumiaux also amongst the greats!

[Barbirollians]

Let alone Menuhin,Neveu,Haendel ,Morini,Ferras ,Stern etc.

Milstein is a violinist I admire more than love his Beethoven and Brahms concertos with Steinberg.

[Bergonzi]

I am a time-served Milstein fan but how could we humble listeners choose - Szeryng and Grumiaux also amongst the greats!

It's very subjective of course, and as much as I admire S & G I would not quite agree.

[richardfinegold]

Milstein always sounds so Aristocratic and yet so exciting. He had a very distinctive, fast vibrato, and could reall soar...It’s to bad that RCA so aggressively pushed Heifetz and didn’t record Milstein more, but Milstein May have done his best in Concert, as many recordings issued by Pristine and other historical labels are now documenting

[Barbirollians]

Aristocratic yes but not always exciting to my ears. Those Steinberg recordings are a case in point .

His late Tchaikovsky and Mendelssohn with Abbado on the other hand...