Mischa Elman - Mischa Elman Plays Tchaikovsky & Wieniawski (2023) [Official Digital Download]

From his teens onwards, Mischa Elman was regarded in his lifetime as one of the greatest violinists of the 20th century. A student of the legendary Leopold Auer, Elman was one of the first of the great Russian-Jewish violinists to dominate violin playing in the 20th century. This CD – the first in a series of Elman releases from Biddulph – includes short pieces by Tchaikovsky and Wieniawski, including the latter’s Second Violin Concerto in D minor, Op.22. Made in the early 1950s, these recordings have never appeared on CD before, and vividly document Mischa Elman with his fabled luscious tone. Highlights include such favourites as Tchaikovsky’s heart-wrenching None but the Lonely Heart and nostalgic Valse sentimentale, as well as the haunting Légende and Polonaise brilliante No.1 by Wieniawski.

Tracklist
01. Tchaikovsky: Song Without Words, op.2 no.3
02. Tchaikovsky: Scherzo, op.42 no.2
03. Tchaikovsky: Andante cantabile from String Quartet in D, op.11
04. Tchaikovsky: Valse sentimentale, op.51 no.6
05. Tchaikovsky: Valse from Serenade for Strings, op.48
06. Tchaikovsky: None but the Lonely Heart, op.6 no.6
07. Tchaikovsky: Russian Dance, op.40 no.10
08. Wieniawski: Légende, op.17
09. Wieniawski: Mazurka in D, op.19 no.2 ‘Dudziarz’ (Le Ménétrier)
10. Wieniawski: Mazurka in G minor, op.12 no.2 ‘Chanson polonaise’
11. Wieniawski: Mazurka in A minor, ‘Kujawiak’
12. Wieniawski: Polonaise brillante No.1 in D, op.4
13. Wieniawski: Violin Concerto No.2 in D minor, op.22: I Allegro moderato
14. Wieniawski: Violin Concerto No.2 in D minor, op.22: II Romance: Andante non troppo
15. Wieniawski: Violin Concerto No.2 in D minor, op.22: III Allegro con fuoco – Allegro moderato (à la Zingara)