Igor Oistrakh

Oistrakh in 2010

Igor Davidovich Oistrakh (Russian: Игорь Давидович Ойстрах; 27 April 1931 – 14 August 2021) was a Soviet and Russian violinist. He was described by Encyclopædia Britannica as "noted for his lean, modernist interpretations".[1]

Life and career

Oistrakh (right) in 1957, with his father David (left) and conductor Franz Konwitschny

Oistrakh was born on 27 April 1931 in Odessa to a Jewish family.[1] He was the son of Tamara Rotareva and the violinist David Oistrakh.[2] He began studying violin with Valeria Merenbloom at age 6,[3] though his main teacher was his father.[4][5] In 1943, the 12-year-old Oistrakh enrolled in the Central Music School, Moscow, studying with Pyotr Stolyarsky who had taught both his father and Nathan Milstein.[3][6] He made his concert debut in 1948;[7] the next year he won the International Violin Competition in Budapest and enrolled in the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory.[2] He won the Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition in 1952 and graduated from Moscow Conservatory in 1955.[5]

He then joined the faculty of the Conservatory in 1958, becoming a lecturer in 1965. From 1996 to 2010 Oistrakh held the post of Professor of the Royal Conservatory in Brussels.[8][9]

Oistrakh appeared frequently internationally, both as a soloist and in joint recitals with his father, or with his father conducting.[1] His wife Natalya Zertsalova is a pianist and has performed with him.[1] Their son, Valery, is an active violinist.[2][10][11]

After living and working in Brussels in Belgium with his family, Oistrakh returned to Russia in 2011.

He was twice a member of the jury of the Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition in Poznan (1972, 1977).[12]

On 14 August 2021, Oistrakh died at age 90 from acute heart failure; however, media generally reported this on 1 September 2021.[13] After cremation, the musician's ashes were buried at the Novodevichy Cemetery.[14]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Igor Oistrakh | Ukrainian violinist". Encyclopædia Britannica. Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. 23 April 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "Violinist Igor Oistrakh has died". The Strad. 1 September 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Igor Oistrakh, celebrated Soviet violinist who with his father David walked a political tightrope during the Cold War – obituary". The Telegraph. 1 September 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  4. ^ Inglis, Anne (3 September 2021). "Igor Oistrakh obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  5. ^ a b Schwarz, Boris (2001). "Oistrakh, Igor'". Grove Music Online. Oxford: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.50085. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0. Retrieved 2 September 2021. (subscription, Wikilibrary access, or UK public library membership required)
  6. ^ "This Day in Jewish History | 1974: A Violinist Who Survived Stalin's Purges Dies on Tour". Haaretz.
  7. ^ "Igor Oistrakh". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  8. ^ "Igor Oistrakh (Violin, Conductor)". Bach Cantatas. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  9. ^ "The violinist Igor Oistrakh has died". Gramophone. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  10. ^ "Valeri Oistrakh". Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  11. ^ Inglis, Anne (3 September 2021). "Igor Oistrakh obituary". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  12. ^ "Jury of International Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competitions". wieniawski.com. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  13. ^ "Le violoniste russe Igor Oistrakh est décédé à l'âge de 90 ans". Musiq3. 2 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  14. ^ "Igor Oistrakh, Soviet-Era Violinist (and a Son of One), Dies at 90 (Published 2021)". 7 September 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
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