Spartacus is Here

Beethoven. Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61. Igor Olstrakh/Pro Arte Orchestra/Wilhelm Schuechter. World Record Club mono TZ 140.

A most exacting concerto, not recommended to any but the virtuoso: this recording of the Beethoven D major is an accomplished one, judged by any standards. Igor Oistrakh is an extremely decisive violinist who phrases meticulously and with care. His harmonics and trills are clean and beautiful; his playing is warm and there is a good body to his sound.

Nevertheless, I would rate this disc below those of Stern. Heifitz and David Oistrakh. for the reason that these otter named are far ahead of the younger Oistrakh In technical and artistic excellence. It is a competitive field; one entered only by masters, where survival of the best reigns over survival of the accomplished.