Imperial Oistrakh

CD1

1. Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D minor, Op.61 - Allegro, ma non troppo
2. Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D minor, Op.61 - Larghetto
3. Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D minor, Op.61 - Rondo: Allegro   
4. Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 9 'A Kreutzer' in A major, Op.47 - Andante con variazioni
5. Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 9 'A Kreutzer' in A major, Op.47 - Variation 1
6. Beethoven: Triple Concerto for violin, cello & piano in C major, Op.56 - Rondo alla polacca    
7. Schubert: Trio for piano, violin and cello No. 1 in B flat major, D.89 - Rondo: Allegro vivace – Presto    
8. Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op.26 - Finale: Allegro energico              

CD2

1. Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 4 in D major, K.218 -  Allegro
2. Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 4 in D major, K.218 - Andante cantabile           
3. Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 4 in D major, K.218 - Rondeau: Andante grazioso – Allegro, ma non troppo            
4. Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 3 in G major, K.216 - Allegro  
5. Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 5 in A major, K.219 - Adagio  
6. Mozart: Sinfonia Concertante for Violin and Cello in E flat major, K.364 - Allegro maestoso
7. Mozart: Sinfonia Concertante for Violin and Cello in E flat major, K.364 - Andante  
8. Wieniawski: Legende, Op. 17

CD3

1. Brahms: Violin Concerto in D major, Op.77 - Allegro non troppo         
2. Brahms: Violin Concerto in D major, Op.77 - Adagio 
3. Brahms: Violin Concerto in D major, Op.77 - Allegro giocoso, ma non troppo vivace
4. Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 3 in D minor, Op.108 - Un poco presto e con sentimento  
5. Brahms: Double Concerto for Violin and Cello in A minor, Op.102 - Allegro  
6. Franck: Violin Sonata in A major - Allegretto ben moderato
7. Franck: Violin Sonata in A major - Allegretto poco mosso   
8. Lalo: Symphonie espagnole, Op.23 - Scherzando: Allegro molto – Poco più lento – Tempo I        

Following the great success of 3CD sets of legendary artists from the Warner Classics and Erato catalogue (Phénoménal Vengerov, Monumental Karajan, Sublime Mutter, Legendary Rubinstein, Les triomphes de J.P. Rampal), Warner France has put together key recordings by David Oistrakh in a 3CD boxset for the price of 1 mid.

David Oistrakh (1908-1974) was without a doubt one of the greatest violinists  and has his place in musical history among other legends of the instrument such as Jascha Heifetz, Nathan Milstein, Yehudi Menuhin or Isaac Stern. He was also the most renowned Soviet violinist. His recordings were global hits and remain milestones of the catalogue. David Oistrakh is famed for the fullness of his tone, his unequaled sense of legato, a warm, powerful and deep sound, his incredible mastery of the bow, and an immediately recognizable sonority.

The first CD is dedicated to Beethoven, with the wonderful version of the Beethoven Violin Concerto (complete) with André Cluytens, one of his best recordings, a moment of pure poetry; and excerpts from chamber music, another version of the Triple Concerto, with his legendary partner Lev Oborin and Knushevistky (they formed a celeb trio for a long time), and the final movement of the Bruch concerto.

The second CD is dedicated to Mozart, with the (complete) Concerto No.4 in D major, and excerpts of the 3rd, 5th, and the Sinfonia concertante with his son Igor, all with the Berliner Philharmoniker. The wistful Légende by Wieniawski is closing the disc.

The last CD is devoted to Brahms, and starts with the Violin Concerto (complete), where Oistrakh is accompanied by George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra: a really Great Recording, full of panache, enthusiasm and vitality. It is followed by excerpts of the Double Concerto with Pierre Fournier, the Symphonie espagnole by Lalo, and Sonatas by Brahms and Franck (poor sound but great version), accompanied by his friend Vladimir Yampolsky.