Igor Davidovich Oistrakh (Russian: И́горь Дави́дович О́йстрах; April 1931 – 14 August 2021[1]) was a Soviet and Russian violinist. He was described by Encyclopædia Britannica as "noted for his lean, modernist interpretations".[2]

Igor Oistrakh opens the IV Moscow International David Oistrakh Violin Competition in 2010 (Moscow, Small Hall of the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory)

Life and career

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Igor Oistrakh (right) in 1957, with his father David (left) and conductor Franz Konwitschny

Oistrakh was born in Odessa, to a Jewish family. the son of Tamara Rotareva and the violinist David Oistrakh.[3] He began studying violin with Valeria Merenbloom at age 6,[4] though his main teacher was his father.[5][6] In 1943, the 12-year-old Oistrakh enrolled in the Central Music School, Moscow, studying with Pyotr Stolyarsky who had taught both his father and Nathan Milstein.[4] He made his concert debut in 1948;[7] the next year he won the International Violin Competition in Budapest and enrolled in the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory.[3] He won the Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition in 1952 and graduated from Moscow Conservatory in 1955.[6]

He then joined the faculty of the Conservatory in 1958, becoming a lecturer in 1965. Beginning in 1996, Oistrakh held the post of Professor of the Royal Conservatory in Brussels.[8]

Oistrakh appeared frequently internationally, both as a soloist and in joint recitals with his father, or with his father conducting.[2] His wife Natalya Zertsalova is a pianist and has performed with him.[2] Their son, Valery, is an active violist.[3][9]

On 14 August 2021, Oistrakh died at age 90; however, media generally reported this on 1 September 2021.[1]

Oistrakh was overshadowed by the fame of his father.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Le violoniste russe Igor Oistrakh est décédé à l'âge de 90 ans". Musiq3. 2 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "Igor Oistrakh | Ukrainian violinist". Encyclopædia Britannica. Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. 23 April 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  3. ^ a b c "Violinist Igor Oistrakh has died". The Strad. 1 September 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Igor Oistrakh, celebrated Soviet violinist who with his father David walked a political tightrope during the Cold War – obituary". The Telegraph. 1 September 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  5. ^ Inglis, Anne (3 September 2021). "Igor Oistrakh obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  6. ^ a b Schwarz, Boris (2001). "Oistrakh, Igor'". Grove Music Online. Oxford: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.50085. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0. Retrieved 2 September 2021. (subscription or UK public library membership required)
  7. ^ a b "Igor Oistrakh". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  8. ^ "Igor Oistrakh (Violin, Conductor)". Bach Cantatas. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  9. ^ "Valeri Oistrakh". Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel. Retrieved 2 September 2021.