“Remember this name – David Oistrakh!” This is how the great educator Pyotr Stolyarsky, who brought up a whole galaxy of wonderful violinists, introduced his then young pupil.

Without David Oistrakh, it is impossible to imagine the picture of the 20th century music art. A violinist, conductor, ensemblist and professor, he left an indelible mark in the Soviet and world performing art, in the audience of his listeners, pupils, friends and colleagues. "A virtuoso who laughed at virtuosity", "His Stradivarius sounded as if he was born with it", wrote famous music critics under the impression of David Oistrakh’s play.

Fortunately, Oistrakh recorded most of his repertoire, giving us an opportunity to enjoy his unique gift. Melodiya here presents golden hits of violin music recorded by David Oistrakh in the late 1940s, a peak of his violin mastery.

The recordings feature the USSR State Academic Symphony Orchestra conducted by Kirill Kondrashin, who was a frequent ensemble partner and friend of Oistrakh.