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.