GREAT VIOLINISTS - NATHAN MILSTEIN

 

TCHAIKOVSKY: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35

Nathan Milstein (violin), Boston S.O., Charles Munch

Recorded 29th March, 1953 in Symphony Hall, Boston

 

MENDELSSOHN: On wings of song, Op. 34, No. 2

FOSTER: Old folks at home

SCHUBERT: Ave Maria, D.839

SCHUBERT: Serenade (from Schwanengesang)

FAURÉ: Après un rêve, Op. 7, No. 1

POLDINI: Dancing Doll

Nathan Milstein (violin), RCA Victor Orchestra, Arthur Fiedler

Rec. 17th/19th January, 1950 in Manhattan Center, New York City

 

GLAZUNOV: Méditation in D major, Op. 32

STRAVINSKY: Russian Maiden’s Song

WIENIAWSKI: Mazurka in D major, Op. 19, No. 2, ‘Dudziarz’

Nathan Milstein (violin), Artur Balsam (piano)

Recorded 26th February, 1949 in RCA Victor Studio No. 2, NYC

 

BÖHM: Calm as the night

TCHAIKOVSKY: None but the lonely heart, Op. 6, No. 6

Nathan Milstein (violin), Ezio Pinza (bass), Gibner King (piano)

 

Of Milstein’s four recordings of the Tchaikovsky Concerto, the rarest up to now has been this 1953 version recorded in Boston, which, outside the USA, was released only in France. Milstein plays beautifully and the performance also benefits from fiery conducting by Munch, himself a distinguished former violinist.

 

The encores with Arthur Fiedler include three works by Mendelssohn, Schubert and Foster which are unique to Milstein’s discography.

 

The disc concludes with two rarities in which Milstein also performs as a vocalist, in effect both playing the violin and duetting with the Italian bass Ezio Pinza in Calm as the night and None but the lonely heart.

 

“Nathan Milstein was an assured, craftsman-like player with a silken tone, a superb technique and a stylish turn-of-phrase.” Gramophone

 

Naxos Historical 8111259