David Oistrakh - Soviet musician, conductor, teacher. During his lifetime, he managed to achieve the recognition of Soviet fans and commanders-in-chief of a mighty power. The People's Artist of the Soviet Union, laureate of the Lenin and Stalin Prizes, was remembered by admirers of classical music for his unsurpassed playing on several musical instruments.
Childhood and youth of D. Oistrakh
He was born at the end of September 1908. The born boy was named after his grandfather, who owned a bakery. He was brought up in a creative family. So, his mother sang in the opera, and the head of the family, who made a living by starting a business, skillfully played several musical instruments.
When my mother saw creative inclinations in her son, she gave him into the hands of music teacher Peter Solomonovich Stolyarsky. Studying with Peter was not cheap, but the parents were not stingy, in the hope that their son would apply the acquired knowledge in practice.
When the First World War began, David was drafted into the army. By that time, Stolyarsky - doted on his student. He prophesied a good musical future for him. Pyotr Solomonovich, who understood that David was making ends meet, during this period of time gave him music lessons for free.
He continued his education at the Odessa Music and Drama Institute. In his student years, David already led the orchestra of his city. He was an excellent conductor and played the violin.
The creative path of David Oistrakh
At the age of 20, he visited St. Petersburg. He managed to conquer the inhabitants of the cultural capital of Russia with his unsurpassed game. Then he visited the first largest city - Moscow, and decided to stay in the metropolis. At the end of the 30s, he won the Izaya competition, which was held in Brussels.
During the war years, David, together with his family, moved to the provincial Sverdlovsk. Even during this period of time, Oistrakh did not stop playing the violin. He spoke to the soldiers and the wounded in the hospital.
He often performed in a duet with V. Yampolsky. Joint performances of musicians, in 2004, were published on a disc, which was filled with works performed by Yampolsky and Oistrakh.
In the mid-40s of the last century, the Soviet musician, together with I. Menuhin, played the “Double Concerto” by I. Bach in the capital. By the way, Menuhin is one of the first "visiting" artists who visited the Soviet Union in the post-war period.
As for David Oistrakh, the musical works of foreign classics sounded especially sonorous in his performance. When the work of the Russian composer Dmitry Shostakovich fell into the so-called "black list", Oistrakh included the composer's works in his repertoire.
After the fall of the Iron Curtain, the musician toured abroad a lot. When the time came, he decided to share his experience with the younger generation. David settled in the metropolitan conservatory.
Details of the personal life of the musician David Oistrakh
David's personal life was successful. He was married to the charming Tamara Rotareva. In the early 30s, a woman gave Oistrakh an heir, who was named Igor.
The son of David followed in the footsteps of his famous parent. He studied at his father's conservatory. Son and father have repeatedly performed as a duet. Igor's son, Valery, also continued the famous musical dynasty.
At the end of the 60s, Oistrakh Sr. did not sign the "letter of the Soviet Jews." In retaliation for this, the current authorities tried to wipe his name off the face of the earth. Soon his apartment was robbed. All the most valuable things were taken out. The robbers did not take only the violin.
David Oistrakh: interesting facts
- Many people knew Father David as Fedor. In fact, the head of the family was named Fishel. Oistrakh's patronymic is a consequence of Russification.
- David loved to play chess. In addition, he was a great gourmet. Oistrakh liked to eat tasty food.
- Based on the robbery of the apartment, the brothers A. and G. Weiners composed the story “Visit to the Minotaur”.
Death of David Oistrakh
He died on October 24, 1974. He died almost immediately after the concert, which took place on the territory of Amsterdam. The musician died as a result of a heart attack.
