Jean Sibelius: Violinkonzert op.47 (180g) - LP

+Der Schwan von Tuonela

David Oistrach, Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy
Label: Columbia, 1959/1960 - Serie: Speakers Corner Records

Composers of instrumental concertos do not always pay considerate attention to the playability of their ideas. However, Jean Sibelius, himself an excellent violinist, must have been aware of the enormous challenges facing the soloist, but could not have foreseen that the premiere of his Violin Concerto would not be enthusiastic because of the player's inadequacies.

The fact that Opus 47 nevertheless became a showpiece of romantic violin literature is, of course, due not only to the first-class soloists of our time, but also to his wide-arched, expressive melodic style. As if out of nothing of the short prelude, the jumpy intervals of the violin develop into a broad symphonic dialogue in a late romantic tone, which unleashes into an emotional summit storm in the main theme of the second movement, comprising 20 bars.

As if written for the world-class violinist's nimble fingers, David Oistrach and an equal Philadelphia Orchestra present the virtuoso and powerful performance to the rousing finale. As an encore "Der Schwan von Tuonela", Op. 22 sings his tender and sublime song in the form of the spacious solo of the English horn.

This Speakers Corner production was made using analog master tape and 100% pure analog mastering.

Reviews
"A showpiece of the century violinist David Oistrach, who indulges with voluminous, nuanced tone in the sound magic of the wide melodic arcs and apparently shapes the almost breakneck passages with ease. In this respect, it is to be welcomed that the violin is very present in this reference recording (...)." (Stereo, October 2017)