A glittering line-up
This treasure trove contains a veritable who’s who of instrumental stars, captured in concert Great Soloists from the Richard Itter Archive
Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto; Rococo Variations; Sibelius: Violin Concerto; Lalo: Symphonie espagnole; Cello Concerto
David Oistrakh (violin); Ida Haendel (violin); Zara Nelsova (cello); Dennis Brain (horn) et al ICA Classics ICAC 5159 277.40 mins (4 discs) Hearing these distinguished performers on the wing makes for an invigorating listen. There are no surprises in Oistrakh’s consummate mastery in the Tchaikovsky, but the tight orchestral playing under Sargent adds to the coherence and thrust. The distant sound in the Albert Hall for Haendel’s Sibelius can’t detract from her passion and commitment, qualities which Gioconda de Vito displays to the full in Viotti’s 22nd Concerto. And you can hear the rich sound of the Tuscan Stradivari which she’d recently acquired. In this company, Campoli comes across as slightly less assured in terms of intonation, but his musical sympathy with the Symphonie espagnole shines out in the phrasing and rubato. More gutsy Lalo comes in the Cello Concerto with Navarra, impeccably partnered by Martinon; and his Tchaikovsky Rococo Variations display Gallic poise. Nelsova in Dvoˇrák and Bruchollerie in Rachmaninov are somewhat let down by the sound and ensemble problems but Dennis Brain shines through in Mozart and Richard Strauss. ★★★★★