CD: Historic Performances – Cluytens

CD: Historic Performances – André Cluytens

Igor Oistrach violin
Philharmonia Orchestra
André Cluytens conductor

César Franck
Symphony in D minor

Aram Khatchaturian
Violin Concerto

(Live recording: Lucerne, 1954)

André Cluytens (1905–1967) was known for flowing elegance, fidelity to the score, and temperament without any trace of showmanship. He was the first Frenchman to conduct at Bayreuth, made the first complete recording of Beethoven’s symphonies with the Berlin Philharmonic, and was also a frequent and welcome guest in Lucerne. In 1954, he met the young Igor Oistrakh and earned standing ovations with Khachaturian’s brilliant Violin Concerto and Franck’s Symphony in D minor.

The 32-page booklet is in three languages and richly illustrated and contains a detailed portrait of the conductor by Michael Struck-Schloen.