Semyon Snitkovsky - Art Of Semyon Snitkovsky. 75th Anniversary Edition (2008) 3CD Set [Re-Up]

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Semyon Snitkovsky - Art Of Semyon Snitkovsky. 75th Anniversary Edition (2008) 3CD Set [Re-Up]

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"Brilliant possession of the instrument, virtuosi technique, a versatile and expressive touch, an animated and emotional style of performance - these are the artistic traits possessed by Semyon Snitkovsky, that allow the brilliant musician to make deep, sincere connection with the audience." These words, spoken by David Oistrakh, come to mind every time one listens to any recording Snitkovsky made throughout his career. The violinist only lived to be 48 years old (1933-1981), but he left behind a large number of records. These records allow his listeners to enjoy the unique artistry that once thrilled audiences and critics in the former USSR and abroad. The CDs that are being released now, present Snitkovsky as a versatile interpreter of the solo, chamber, and solo with orchestra violin repertoire.

Semyon Snitkovsky was bom and raised in Odessa, a city that in the 20th century, gave the world many famous musicians. He has found a rightful place among them as a great performer and a talented pedagogue.

Snitkovsky started his musical education in 1940 at the famed school of P.S. Stolyarsky. Unfortunately, World War II interrupted his studies until 1946, when he was accepted to the class of great pedagogue - violinist, V.Z. Mordkovich, who later became a professor at the Odessa Conservatory. In 1949, Semyon gave his first solo concert performance, and in 1951 he was admitted into the Odessa Conservatory, studying under the same teacher. During his five years at the Conservatory, Snitkovsky evolved as a talented soloist and began to perform at Odessa Philharmonic Theater. The young violinist worked diligently; he mastered new pieces quickly and performed often. Each performance would bring more success.

In 1956, Simeon became a soloist with the Lvov Philharmonic; he also took a job as a professor of the conservatory there. However, his quest for improvement brings him to Moscow. In 1957 Snitkovsky was accepted into the post-graduate program at the famed Moscow Conservatory, studying under David Oistrakh. Very soon, he became the master violinists assistant and after a few years, was teaching classes himself, first as docent, then as a full professor. The young violinist quickly built his reputation. Well known performer and pedagogue S. Feinberg noted in a review of one of Snitkovsky's concerts: "Snitkovsky is a young musician, yet he is an independent thinker, able to resolve complex musical tasks." In 1957, Snitkovsky became a laureate at a national competition, then he received a bronze medal at the World Youth and Students Festival in Moscow, after that he participated in a popular music competition. His very first performance in front of the international audience brought him a high degree of success. The competition took place in Bucharest in 1958 as a part of George Enescu International Festival. He won first place, together with Romanian violinist Stefan Ruha. At the same event, Snitkovsky also won second prize together with gifted pianist O. Stupakova, in special category for the best performance, playing Third Sonata by Enescu for violin and piano.

Critics took note of the bright musician. "Unrestrained technique and deep understanding of modem music have allowed Snitkovsky to achieve great success." Snitkovskys per-formance of Glazunov's violin concerto during the final round of the competition was dubbed "perfective".

Following his triumph in Bucharest, Snitkovsky won the gold medal at the prestigious and very challenging Queen Elizabeth International Music Competition in Brussels in 1963. After the competition, the newspaper "Le Soir" wrote: “Snitkovsky is capable of interpreting the composer's thoughts not only with brilliance of his technique, but with the lightness of his inspiration. The technical part of his performance is dazzling." In 1967, he received a gold medal from the Eugene Ysaye Foundation in Belgium, an honor given once every five years.

The next few years of Semyons career were very intensive. He performed tirelessly, giving more than a hundred concerts every year. He is well known at home and abroad. He is invited to perform in international festivals and master-class concerts. His concerts in France, Switzerland, West Germany, Yugoslavia, Hungary, Turkey, and Eastern Europe were very successful.

The 1960s and 70s were the peak of Snitkovsky's career. Audiences were captivated by his creative and emotional interpretations, his originality, fiery temperament, intuitive phrasing, and brilliant virtuosity, which seemed to have no boundaries.

Snitkovsky performed with some of the worlds premier orchestras and conductors, including Natan Rakhlin, André Cluytens, Gennady Rozhdestvensky, and Karel Ancerl. Famous French conductor A.Cluytens once said of his collaboration with Snitkovsky: "I had the greatest pleasure of working with the wonderful artist Semyon Snitkovsky. I will always be happy to play music with this brilliant musician."

The violinists repertoire was constantly growing. His colleagues often said that Semyon Isaevich plays everything that has been composed for the violin, from Corelli and LeClerc to Schedrin, and plays it superbly. Many great masters of classical music were part of his repertoire. His execution of works by Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, or XIX century romantics, Tchaikovsky, Glazunov, was always a significant event.

With equal enthusiasm, Snitkovsky played classical music of the XX century; Stravinsky, Shostakovich, Prokofiev, Bartók, Hindemith, Britten, Villa-Lobos - he would give convincing interpretations of their innovative creations. He was especially fond of the works of modem Soviet composers - Khachaturian, Kabalevsky, Weinberg, Salmanov and others; some of them even wrote music for him.

Critics often noted that Snitkovsky is convincing and stylistically accurate in music of different epochs; he offers his own deep understanding of compositions, including well-known classical opuses.

Semyon Snitkovsky successfully complimented his performance career with teaching. He was a devoted talented pedagogue. He was a professor at Moscow Conservatory, and beginning 1976 he became a professor of violin at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest. His master-classes at home and abroad were always successful. An article following master class at the festival in Tours, France, read: "Snitkovsky is not only a renowned virtuoso, but a brilliant professor." Many of Snitkovsky's students have become professional musicians; they keep good memory of their teacher decades after his passing.

Soviet and foreign press has offered a lot of praise of Snitkovsky's artistry. Here are just a few quotes:

"Sovetskaya Muzyka" (Soviet Music Journal) - "graceful style, complete mastery of the instrument, elegant touch, original phrasing."

"Tages Anzeiger" ascertains after a triumphant series of conserts in Zurich in 1977: "Without a doubt, Snitkovsky is one of the top violinists of his generation" calling his performance of excerpts from Stravinsky's Petrushka, "fireworks of violin virtuosity". Critic stated that "Snitkovsky amazes with his frighteningly consummate playing."

Nowadays, listening to Snitkovsky's recordings, we are inclined to agree with these reviews. Here's one of the countless examples: his interpretation of Schubert's Sonata A Major and "Rondo Brilliant", offered on this disk, leave a lasting impression. His fluid lyrical style in these pieces is breathtaking; it recalls the velvet tones of Schubert's lieder. Snitkovsky pushes the limit of virtuosity with his exceptional technique in the Rondo. Furthermore, the sensitivity, harmonious phrasing, and dynamics are astounding in this duet.

The magical sound of Snitkovskys violin transcends time with its beauty and expressiveness. Through these recordings, we are able to experience the feelings and emotions that his audiences enjoyed in concerts many years ago.

Dr. of Musicology Rufina Leytes, liner notes

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Semyon Snitkovsky - Art Of Semyon Snitkovsky. 75th Anniversary Edition (2008) 3CD Set [Re-Up]

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Semyon Snitkovsky - Art Of Semyon Snitkovsky. 75th Anniversary Edition (2008) 3CD Set [Re-Up]

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