Ida Haendel, the violinist on this album, was one of the last surviving students from Carl Flesch's legendary 1930s class.
Ida Haendel was hugely popular at the Proms, appearing 68 times from 1937 to 1951 without a break, often multiple times in a season.
Ida Haendel used a 1696 Stradivarius for almost 60 years, after previously borrowing the 1726 'Sleeping Beauty' Strad.
Ida Haendel believed her femininity helped her interpret big concertos, stating that inner intensity, not aggression, was key to violin playing.
Ida Haendel made her London debut in 1936, playing Brahms's Concerto with Sir Henry Wood at Queen's Hall.
Ida Haendel's father, Nathan, whose own violin career was frustrated by his rabbi father, became a dedicated parent pushing her prodigy.
Ida Haendel bolstered British spirits during World War II by playing in factories, at Myra Hess's National Gallery concerts, and for troops.
