Semyon Isaevich Snitkovsky Violin Recital

Gerard Wyss Piano

Label: Triston Master Recordings SCHOPPER Edition TMR-SE 0017
Gatefold cover, 180 Gramm Stereo Pressing

This stereo recording was made at the Tibor Varga Festival at the L'église des Jésuites, Sion, Switzerland, 1973 with a Studer C 37 tube recorder. Outstanding sound quality.

Semyon Snitkovsky performs in the same league like David Oistrakh and Leonid Kogan.

First publication.

Violin: Semyon Isaevich Snitkovsky
Piano: Gerard Wyss

Program:

Side A:
Ravel Tzigane (8.35)
Tchaikovsky Meditation from Souvenir d’un lieu cher Op.42 Part one (8.50)

Side B:
Tchaikovsky Scherzo Op.42 Part two (3.42)
Brahms F-A-E Sonata Scherzo (5.22)
Shchedrin Balalaika adapted and arranged by Semyon Snitkovsky (2.27)
Bach Sonata for Violin No.1 in G minor, BWV 1001 Adagio (4.20)

ENCORE:
Maestro Snitkovsky is tuning his violin (0.23)
Semyon Snitkovsky plays a Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume violin
Gerard Wyss plays a Steinway Model D Concert Grand Piano

Vinyl Cut: Adi Flück from Centraldubs, Switzerland
Pressing: MEK Vinyl, Gossau, Switzerland
Producer: SCHOPPER AUDIO, Jürg Schopper, Switzerland

This album is an exact reproduction of the original master tape. In order to guarantee the best possible sound quality, no digital equipment or post-processing has been used.

It is a hand-numbered limited edition of 250 copies.

No shipping to Hongkong and China.

Price:   CHF   90.00  LP
                CHF 150.00  Testpressing

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Review von Avantgarde Hongkong

This newly released Tristone recording features live performances by Soviet violinist Semyon Isaevich Snitkovsky, captured during the 1973 Tibor Varga Festival concert at the Jesuit Church in Sion, Valais, Switzerland. This previously unreleased recording features works by composers including Ravel, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, and Bach.

Semyon Isaevich Snitkovsky – a name perhaps less familiar to the general public, yet one who studied under the renowned violin master David Oistrakh during his formative years. In 1957, Snitkovsky entered the Moscow Conservatory, serving as David Oistrakh's assistant. Several years later, he obtained his doctorate and became a full professor at the Moscow Conservatory. Originally a postgraduate student at the Moscow Conservatory under David Oistrakh, he quickly distinguished himself.

Gérard Wyss (born 1944 in Bollenwil) studied under Paul Baumgartner at the Basel Conservatory, where he later taught postgraduate solo performance, song interpretation, and chamber music. His preference for duet playing gradually evolved into a lifelong pursuit, soon leading to collaborations with Pierre Fournier and Arthur Grumiaux.

This recording represents a precious legacy of the Soviet violin school. Semyon Isaevich Snitkovsky's playing embodies the core spirit of this tradition:

• Technical mastery: impeccable intonation, clear and fluid bowing, and formidable finger technique.
• Musical depth: transcending mere virtuosity to uncover the inner emotions and structure of the work, delivering interpretations that are both rigorous and deeply moving.
• Timbre: characterised by a sweet, rich, and singing tone.
• Sound quality: Exceptionally full across the entire frequency range with excellent separation between instruments. A truly audiophile-grade recording.

Listening to this album feels like an echo from history, allowing the listener to experience the unique artistic aesthetics of that era and the soul of an exceptional artist embedded within the notes.

Original Review