Igor Oistrakh

Emerging in the mid-20th century from the USSR, Igor Oistrakh ranked among its notable violinists, though his stature was frequently eclipsed by that of his father, the celebrated violinist David Oistrakh. He frequently joined his father in duo performances spanning J.S. Bach and Mozart through Prokofiev and Ysaÿe, yet he forged an independent identity through solo and recital engagements that encompassed Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Khrennikov, and additional composers. Following his father’s example, he also performed on the viola and took up the baton. Throughout much of his professional life he taught and produced an extensive discography issued on Melodiya, Berlin Classics, Deutsche Grammophon, and other labels.

Born in Odessa, Ukraine, on April 27, 1931, Igor received his earliest instruction from his father, only to interrupt violin study during the initial war years. He returned to lessons in 1943 under Pyotr Stolyarsky and subsequently entered Moscow’s Central Music School. Beginning in 1947 he appeared regularly in duo concerts alongside his father. His formal solo debut took place in 1948; the next year he captured first prize at the Budapest-based World Festival of Youth and Students Violin Competition and matriculated at the Moscow Conservatory, where he remained until 1955.

Even while a student he maintained an active concert schedule, pausing in 1952 long enough to win the International Wieniawski Competition in Poznan, Poland. In 1958 he joined the faculty of the Moscow Conservatory and continued to develop his profile in chamber, solo, and recital settings. He began conducting in 1968. After his father’s death in 1974, Igor sustained duo appearances with his wife, the pianist Natalia Zertsalova. The pair produced distinguished Melodiya recordings of the complete Beethoven violin-and-piano sonatas as well as works by Bach, Prokofiev, and numerous other composers.

In 1996 he was appointed professor of violin at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Brussels. Into the new century he remained active, frequently appearing with his wife and with his son Valeri, himself a gifted violinist. One of his most highly regarded recordings, issued on the Doron label in 2001, features the Mozart Sinfonia concertante and additional works; there Igor both conducted the orchestra and played the viola, partnering with Valeri in the central piece and in two chamber compositions. Igor Oistrakh died on August 14, 2021.