In the 50s, only the most prominent artists of the former Soviet Union were allowed to leave their country for concerts abroad. The record companies need all the patience and all the negotiating skills of the world in order to obtain an authorization for shooting with Russian artists in the West. One of these exquisite musicians was the violinist Leonid Kogan, who was still living in the shadow of his older colleague David Oistrakh in the morning of his career.

While Oistrakhs game rooted in the Romantic School, Kogan represented a more modern, cleaner, more classic style. The Brahms Concerto was most beloved one of Kogan, and although his game emphasized was frank, he has played this work extremely original factory and in a way that proves that his way of the ‘right’ was. These specific qualities are Koganschen on this recording from 1959 clearly audible. Each pace, each time changes seems to sound like it should. Kogan Kyril Kondrashin compatriot directs the orchestra, and he is – as its soloist – his outspoken ability to prove that romantic warmth and classical architectural rigor – the hallmark of Brahms’ compositional art – to merge.

An exceptional recording that can satisfy the highest demands on sound quality as to the musical experience.