Search - Ludwig van Beethoven, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, André Cluytens :: Legend: David Oistrakh [CD & DVD]

A unique celebration

Musicus | Oslo, Norway | 07/19/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Finally we can get these great pieces

Jean-Pierre Lara A | Medellín, Colombia | 03/25/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

The best ever

J. Gordon | California | 06/15/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."