Prokofiev, a passionate and talented chess player, participated in a public chess tournament in Moscow in 1937 against David Oistrakh, who was by then the country's finest violinist.
Composition History
The Second Violin Concerto was a commission for French violinist Robert Soetens, who toured with Prokofiev and premiered the work in Madrid in 1935.
Composition History
Prokofiev's First Violin Concerto was originally intended to premiere in 1917 but was delayed by the October Revolution, eventually premiering in Paris in 1923.
Recording & Production
This recording of the Violin Concertos was made in part on what would have been David Oistrakh's 80th birthday, September 30, 1988, and is dedicated to his memory.
Composer Biography
Sergey Prokofiev, the composer, left Russia in 1918 at his own wish, believing his radicalism had little place in the new Russia.
Composition History
The F minor Violin Sonata, Op. 80, was inspired by David Oistrakh, a renowned violinist, and was premiered by him and pianist Lev Oborin in 1946.
Cultural Impact
Prokofiev's First Violin Concerto became the musical basis for successful ballets by Sir Kenneth MacMillan (Triad, 1970) and Jerome Robbins (Opus 19, 1979).
