Category: Great Musicians

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Enrico Mainardi – A Short Biography

Enrico Mainardi was an Italian cellist who was born on October 5, 1897, in Milan, Italy. He began his musical studies at a young age and went on to study at the Milan Conservatory, where he was taught by Giovanni Moser.

Mainardi made his debut in 1914 and quickly gained recognition for his technical brilliance and expressive playing style. He toured extensively throughout Europe and North America and became known as one of the leading cellists of his generation.

During World War II, Mainardi was imprisoned by the Nazi regime and was later held in a concentration camp in Austria. After the war, he returned to his performing career and played with major orchestras around the world, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Mainardi was particularly admired for his interpretations of the works of J.S. Bach, and he was one of the first cellists to perform and record the complete set of Bach’s suites for solo cello. He was also a champion of contemporary music and premiered works by notable composers such as Luigi Dallapiccola and Paul Hindemith.

In addition to his performing career, Mainardi was also a respected teacher, and his students included many successful cellists such as Arto Noras and Heinrich Schiff. He held teaching positions at several music conservatories, including the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria.

Mainardi’s sound was described as distinctive and soulful, and his playing was known for its technical brilliance and emotional depth. He was praised for his ability to bring out the unique character of each piece of music he played.

Enrico Mainardi passed away on April 5, 1976, in Milan, Italy. He is remembered as one of the greatest cellists of the 20th century, and his recordings continue to inspire cellists and music lovers around the world.

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Ludwig Hoelscher – A Short Biography

Ludwig Hoelscher was a German cellist who was born on February 7, 1907, in Berlin, Germany. He began studying the cello at a young age and made his debut at the age of 16 with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.

Hoelscher went on to study at the Berlin Conservatory and later at the Hochschule für Musik in Berlin, where he was taught by Emanuel Feuermann. He later perfected his technique in Paris with the renowned cellist Pablo Casals.

In 1935, Hoelscher was appointed principal cellist of the Berlin State Opera, a position he held until 1944. During World War II, he was drafted into the German army, but refused to play for the Nazi regime and was subsequently arrested and imprisoned for several months.

After the war, Hoelscher resumed his performing career and quickly gained international recognition as a virtuoso cellist. He performed with major orchestras around the world and collaborated with conductors such as Wilhelm Furtwängler and Herbert von Karajan.

In addition to his performing career, Hoelscher was also a respected teacher and held professorships at several music conservatories, including the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik in Frankfurt, Germany.

Hoelscher was known for his technical brilliance and his ability to bring out the emotional depth of the music he played. He was particularly admired for his interpretations of works by German composers such as Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms.

Ludwig Hoelscher passed away on April 25, 1996, in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. He is remembered as one of the greatest cellists of his era, and his recordings continue to inspire cellists and music lovers around the world.

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David Oistrakh – A Short Biography

David Oistrakh was a Soviet-born violinist who was widely considered to be one of the finest violinists of the 20th century. He was born on September 30, 1908, in Odessa, Ukraine.

Oistrakh began studying the violin at a young age, and in 1923, he won first prize at the All-Ukrainian Violin Competition. He went on to study at the Moscow Conservatory, where he was taught by the legendary violinist Pyotr Stolyarsky and by David Oistrakh, his father and a talented violinist in his own right.

In 1935, Oistrakh won the prestigious Ysaÿe International Festival in Brussels, which launched his international career as a soloist. He went on to perform in major concert venues in Europe and the United States and became known for his technical virtuosity and emotional depth.

During World War II, Oistrakh continued to perform and to serve as a symbol of cultural resistance against the Nazi regime. He also played for Soviet troops and performed in front of wounded soldiers in military hospitals.

In addition to his solo work, Oistrakh was a dedicated chamber musician and performed with notable pianists such as Lev Oborin and Sviatoslav Richter. He was also a respected conductor and led orchestras such as the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra and the Orchestre National de France.

Oistrakh’s sound was described as rich, warm, and passionate, and his interpretations of works by composers such as Bach, Brahms, and Tchaikovsky are particularly admired. He was also a champion of contemporary music and premiered works by well-known composers such as Shostakovich and Prokofiev.

David Oistrakh passed away on October 24, 1974, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. He is remembered as a true master of the violin and a symbol of cultural excellence in the Soviet Union and around the world.

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André Lévy – a short biography.

Andre Levy was a French cellist, born on June 26, 1894, in Paris, France. He received his musical education at the Paris Conservatory, where he studied under French cellist Louis Feuillard, a prominent teacher of the time.

Levy’s debut concert took place in Paris in 1914, marking the beginning of his successful solo career. During World War I, Levy served in the French army, but he returned to his music career once the war was over.

In 1926, Levy was appointed principal cellist of the Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire, one of the oldest symphony orchestras in France. He held this position for over two decades, and during this time, he became known for his rich, warm tone and brilliant technique.

In addition to his orchestral work, Levy was also a dedicated chamber music player. He formed a successful piano trio with violinist Jacques Thibaud and pianist Alfred Cortot, which performed extensively throughout Europe and North America.

Levy was also a teacher, and he held positions at several conservatories, including the Paris Conservatory and the École Normale de Musique de Paris. He had a reputation for being a demanding teacher, and his students included many successful cellists who went on to have successful musical careers.

Andre Levy passed away on December 27, 1977, in La Garenne-Colombes, France. He is remembered as a gifted cellist whose technical skill and beautiful sound left a lasting impact on the world of classical music.

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David Oistrakh EMI Columbia Mono Discography

David Oistrakh mono LPs on columbia record label
David Oistrakh mono LPs on the UK Columbia label.
33CX 1194 Beethoven Violin Concerto conducted by Ehrling / Stokholm Festival Orchestra

33CX 1201 Franck / Szymanowski Violin Sonatas with Vladimir Yampolski

33CX 1246 Lalo Symphonie Espagnole conducted by Martinon / Philharmonia Orchestra

33CX 1303 Khatchaturian Violin Concerto conducted by Khatchaturain / Philharmonia Orchestra

33CX 1415 Tartini “Devil’s Trill” Sonata / Mozart Sonata In B Flat Major K.454 – with Vladimir Yampolsy, piano

33CX 1466 Encores with Vladimi Yampolski

33CX 1487 Brahms Double Concerto with Pierre Fournier, conducted by Galliera / Philharmonia Orchestra

33CX 1660 Mozart Violin Concerto No.3 / Prokofiev Violin Concerto conducted by Galliera / Philharmonia Orchestra

33CX 1672 Beethoven Violin Concerto conducted by Cluytens / French National Radio Orchestra

33CX 1765 Brahms Violin Concerto conducted by Otto Klemperer / French National Radio Orchestra

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tags
Classical LPs wanted
33CX
Columbia EMI LPs
Violinist
David Oistrakh
Vladimir Yampolsky
Encores
Violin Concertos
Devil’s Trill