Oleg Solokov

Bendix's concerto is quite simply one of the great piano concertos of the 19th century yet it is hardly known, probably for two reasons: Bendix does not have a particularly distinctive style and this work, most unusually for its period, is not a display concerto and so would not appeal to all pianists. However, the concerto's ideas are first-rate and the whole piece is superbly constructed and very tautly argued. Although Bendix's symphonies are clearly influenced by the Russian school, this concerto is more Germanic in style so, if you like Brahms, give it a try. It will take a few hearings to find your way around but the rewards will be enormous.

These pieces are remembrances of some Gidon Kremer’s passings in Prague, during Soviet time… Kremer was then at the dawn of his career, one among the most brilliant for a violinist in our time! As an ‘ambassador’ of the Soviet Ministry for Culture in the ‘brother countries’, he owed to his mentor, David Oistrakh, a sort of freedom, demonstrated here in this recording. His absolutely perfect touch and his freedom of expression were the delight of his patrons in the welcoming communist countries… The short piece by Alfred Schnittke, then still hand written only, was an example of his wish to play scores out of the ‘classics’ from Bach to Stravinsky and to help other musicians through chamber music sessions. This record allows to hear the faked G.B. Guadagnini inherited from his grandfather.