David Oistrakh – Beethoven: Violin Concerto; Brahms: Double Concerto (2021) [SACD / Warner Music (Japan) – WPGS-50137]

Title: David Oistrakh – Beethoven: Violin Concerto; Brahms: Double Concerto (2021)
Genre: Classical
Format: SACD ISO

The legendary Beethoven recording with Kletzsch, his only collaboration, and the Brahms with Fournier return in superb condition! Aiming for the highest sound quality, newly digitized at 192kHz/24bit from the original analog master tapes in the country of origin for this latest reissue. Includes new liner notes. Oistrakh’s Beethoven, recorded in his third and final session, is his only collaboration with Kletzsch. Since its initial release, this transcendent performance has reigned as a legendary recording. The rich resonance of the violin and the orchestra’s exquisite, intimate interplay are a delight to hear. The Brahms Double Concerto features the third of four recordings, a performance that holds its own even when compared to the later recording with Szell. It is a celebrated performance characterized by an almost chamber-like, deeply introspective interpretation with Fournier. Mastered from the original French analog master tapes at 192kHz/24bit, with separate mastering for the SACD and CD layers. Includes new liner notes. A permanent preservation edition. Oistrakh’s Beethoven is also known as the sole session recording featuring his collaboration with Kletzinsky. Since its initial release, it has reigned as a legendary recording, an extraordinary performance. With its rich violin tone and exquisite interplay with the Orchestre National de France under Kletzinsky, it stands as one of the definitive interpretations of this work. About a year and a half after this recording, Oistrakh recorded Brahms’ Violin Concerto in the same venue with the same orchestra, conducted by Klemperer (released as TDSA108 in 2019 as part of this series). A comparison with that recording is also essential listening. The coupling features Brahms’s Double Concerto. This is the third of four recordings made, and it stands up well even when compared to the later famous version with Szell (with Rostropovich on cello). Although a stereo source exists, it hasn’t received much attention until now. Characterized by an almost chamber-like, deeply introspective performance with Fournier, this recording is a masterpiece that rivals Beethoven’s own. Indeed, one might say this performance radiates Oistrakh’s characteristic poise and delicacy throughout. For sound quality, we used a flat master created by digitizing the original 2-channel analog master tape from the artist’s homeland at an unprecedented 192kHz/24bit resolution, followed by the latest mastering techniques. Consequently, this release achieves greater precision, a wider dynamic range, and enhanced proximity, allowing you to enjoy this supreme performance with a more realistic sound. While some noise is occasionally present, we aimed for a musical mastering approach that respects the original source, keeping interventions, including balance adjustments, to an absolute minimum. The booklet includes new liner notes by Mr. Hiyama. For this series, the SACD layer aims for extended highs, soft nuances, high resolution, and a rich soundstage, while the CD layer strives for a cohesive, solid sound with a tangible, present-in-the-room quality. The CD itself possesses high potential, so please enjoy it as an SACD hybrid disc that allows you to savor the strengths of both formats. This 36th installment of the Definition Series will release a total of three titles.

hraudio

Tracklist:

Violin Concerto in D major, Op.61
01. I. Allegro ma non troppo(Cadenza by Kreisler) (25:28)
02. II. Larghetto (9:45)
03. III. Rondo. Allegro(Cadenza by Kreisler) (10:26)
Double Concerto for Violin and Cello in A minor, Op.102
04. I. Allegro (16:11)
05. II. Andante (8:15)
06. III. Vivace non troppo (8:33)

Personnel:

David Oistrakh, violin
Pierre Fournier, cello (4)-(6)
Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Française (1)-(3)
Philharmonia Orchestra (4)-(6)
André Cluytens, conductor (1)-(3)
Alceo Galliera, conductor (4)-(6)

Note:

Tower Records exclusive.
Beethoven Concerto Recorded 1958, Salle Wagram, Paris.
Brahms Double Concerto Recorded 1956, Kingsway Hall, London.

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