Ysaye: Poeme elegiaque in D minor, Op. 12

After years of fruitful cooperation with Evgeni Kissin, Nikolaï Luganski and Boris Berezovski, Alexander Kniazev has found in Plamena Mangova a worthy partner for this tribute to the Franco-Belgian school, and in particular to the outstanding violinist Eugène Ysaÿe. Ysaÿe, to whom the César Franck Sonata was dedicated and who created it, enjoyed playing the cello –and did so very competently – when he played music at home with friends.

The warm and powerful sound of Ysaÿe gave the Franck Sonata the feel of a cathedral and very soon the Sonata was published in a version for cello authorized by the composer and carried out by Jules Delsart. In his turn, Kniazev proposes his vision of a few other pages by Franck and Ysaÿe, amongst which the magnificent Poème élégiaque, source of Chausson’s Poème, is a première on disc in a beautifully suited new form.

François-Xavier Roth records here his first disc with the Liège Philharmonic Orchestra of which he is now musical director. He recently stood in for an ailing Andre Previn with the LSO during the volcano crisis. “Chausson’s Poème has always had an extremely powerful emotional effect on me”, says Tedi Papavrami. “There is a painful sincerity in Chausson, which distinguishes him from other French composers of the period – with whom he shares the harmonic refinement. I am always amazed at his way of assimilating the Wagnerian heritage whilst composing music that is unquestionably French. It is a wrenching, contrasted work, going from the ethereal to bitterness by way of breathless rage. It was after having heard Poème élégiaque d’Ysäye that Chausson composed his Poème! Listening to it, the influence is obvious – the same colours, same key, same Franckist seriousness, and this orchestral version – the Liège Philharmonic must be one of the rare orchestras to have the parts (Ysaÿe was born in Liège) – seemed ideal to me for completing the second pole of the programme as a counterweight to Saint-Saëns.”

Ingolf Turban commands a broad repertoire of works, some of which have rarely been performed on stage.

His virtuosic skill for Niccolò Paganini’s works have gained critical acclaim, especially his March 2006 performance with the New York Philharmonic and his complete recording of the six violin concertos and in the TV documentary “Paganinis Geheimnis”.

In 2005 he founded the Chamber Orchestra “I Virtuosi di Paganini” and in 2007, he was appointed Artistic Director for the summer festival “Holzhauser Musiktage” near Starnberg, Germany.

Among the great violinists of the 20th century, David Oistrakh retains a special place in the hearts of his artist colleagues and those of the musical public. As Pierre Fournier once said, “David Oistrakh is irreplaceable. He was an exceptional artist who gave the world a beautiful example of dignity, human beauty and warmth.” On the 100th anniversary of his birth (30th September), we celebrate the exceptional art of David Oistrakh with this very specially priced album of concertos, shorter works for violin and orchestra, and encores for violin and piano (on a bonus CD), all recorded between 1948 and 1961.

This is a feast of great violin playing, including rare and first-time releases on CD. All recordings have been newly remastered.

This is an Original Masters Twofer with a bonus CD – so it’s an unbeatable 3 CDs for the price of 1. The bonus CD features encores by Ysaÿe,* Wieniawski,* Sarasate, Kreisler, Vieuxtemps* and Paganini for violin and piano (Vladimir Yampolsky on piano). * = First releases on CD

The packaging is pretty special too: an 8-panel digi, with superb original “American” Decca artwork. Rare Oistrakh photos enhance the CD booklet. The Oistrakh recordings on Deutsche Grammophon’s Originals series are big sellers, and the present release should do well at retail as well as making a significant contribution to the Oistrakh centenary.

The reissue of this unique collection of chamber music masterpieces, ranging from Baroque to 20-century, played by the legendary David Oistrakh, with his luminous, sonorous and deeply moving tone.

Partners include Sviatoslav Richter, Lev Oborin, Alexander Goldenweiser and Vladimir Yampolski. With his supreme technique, enormous precision in rhythm as well as extensive variety in sound, David Oistrakh is one of the most celebrated violinists of the 20th century.

This 10-CD release details some of his best chamber music recordings and is filled to the brim with first-rate performances. The compilation effectively documents the development of violin music, simultaneously revealing Oistrakh’s mastering of an extensive repertoire.

Beginning with J.S. Bach, who was one of the first composers to write for the instrument independently and whose works are given an overtly romantic appraisal by the Russian maestro, it also traverses a series of Classical compositions – including Mozart’s Sonata No.3 K306 and Beethoven’s ‘Kreutzer’ Sonata Op.47. Most of the collection’s space, however, is taken up by a large assortment of 19th- and 20th-century music; this is undoubtedly where Oistrakh’s heart lies, and the violinist shows a strong commitment to pieces from his native country.

What is particularly evident from this release is that no matter how big or small, famous or little-known, each work is treated as a masterpiece. With largely forgotten names such as Catoire and Vladigerov sitting alongside some of the greatest composers in musical history, the compilation represents a musical feast that is not to be passed up.