Nathan Milstein

Nathan Milstein (1903–1992) was a Russian-born American violinist celebrated for his long international career, refined technique, and interpretations of Bach and the Romantic violin repertory.

Leopold Auer: A Hungarian-born violinist and teacher whose pupils included many prominent musicians of the early twentieth century. Milstein studied with Auer in Petrograd, a formative stage in his training.
Bach: Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin: A set of six works for unaccompanied violin composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. Milstein’s recordings of these works are central evidence of his interpretive approach.
Odessa: A major port city on the Black Sea, now in Ukraine. Milstein was born in Odessa when it was part of the Russian Empire.
Violin: A bowed string instrument with four strings, played under the chin. Milstein’s instrument was the medium through which his technique and interpretations took shape.
David Oistrakh: A Soviet violinist celebrated for a broad tone and authoritative performances of the concerto repertory. Oistrakh’s expansive sound provides a useful contrast with Milstein’s leaner style.
Vladimir Horowitz: A Ukrainian-born American pianist celebrated for his virtuosic technique and expressive interpretations. Milstein and Horowitz performed together and recorded chamber music.
Violin Concerto No. 1 (Bruch): A three-movement violin concerto in G minor composed by Max Bruch in 1866. Milstein performed and recorded this cornerstone of the Romantic concerto repertory.
Russian Empire: A state ruled by the Romanov dynasty from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. Milstein’s birthplace and childhood belonged to this empire’s final decades.
Violin technique: The physical and musical methods used to produce sound and execute music on the violin. Milstein was admired for technical control that served musical phrasing.
Yehudi Menuhin: An American-born violinist and conductor who became an international musical figure as a child prodigy. Menuhin’s public persona and interpretive path differed from Milstein’s long, privately disciplined career.

Linked from 3 pages

Partita for Violin No. 2Related: His performances helped establish a twentieth-century approach to Bach’s solo violin works.