BRUCH / HINDEMITH - SCOTTISH FANTASIA, OP.46 & VIOLIN CONCERTO (1939)

This classic recording features the conducting talents of Jascha Horenstein & Paul Hindemith accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra. One could never imagine that it would take a Russian violinist and a German composer to do the finest job at plumbing the emotional depths of Scottish folk tunes.

What strikes you right away is how up-front the recording of the violin is, like you're standing in the conductor's position. Oistrakh’s performance is tremendously lyrical, warm, and nuanced. The 3rd, slow section of the ‘Scottish Fantasia’ is especially moving. Paul Hindemith himself leads the LSO in an aggressive accompaniment for Oistrakh's muscular performance of his own concerto. The slow movement is especially memorable.