Who remembers
Leonid Kogan? Widely acknowledged to be one of the two greatest Soviet violinists,
Kogan was nevertheless always under the shadow of
David Oistrakh, his slightly older countryman, during his lifetime. Since
Kogan's death in 1982, his reputation has been almost completely eclipsed by
Oistrakh's. This is, of course, a terrible shame.
Kogan was not only arguably
Oistrakh's equal as a player, he was wholly his own player.
Kogan's avoidance of most vibrato and all portamento coupled with his muscular technique and his emotional concentration made him
sui genesis as an artist. Accompanied by his daughter
Nina in this
1978 Salzburg Festival Recital,
Kogan soars through the clear skies of
Beethoven's D major Sonata, Op. 12/1, roars through the raging tempests of
Brahms' D minor Sonata, Op. 108, and bores deep into the transcendent lyricism of
Franck's A major Sonata with his daughter supporting him in every bar and at every moment. Best yet is the closing Tzigane. With
Leonid Kogan's strong bow, intense tone, and flawless intonation, the rhapsodic solo introduction is unbearably thrilling and it only gets better when
Nina Kogan enters and they race together through
Revel's jumped-up gypsy music to the double bar. Anyone who loves great violin playing will love this disc. And anyone who loves great violin playing and doesn't know
Leonid Kogan's playing will be blown away. Orfeo's live at the
Salzburg Festival sound is rough, close, and very, very present. ~ James Leonard, All Music Guide
