Leonid Kogan- Paganini Caprices No. 4, 6, 7, 9, 21 & 24

Recorded in 1949. Very nice crystalline tone from young Kogan.
Engineer [Restorer] - N. Ulianova*
From Leonid Kogan Complete Collection- Early Recordings Part 3
Мелодия ‎- С10 31957 007

[@powerflower6727]

Particularly love the intonation- and sound-wise brutally honest and musically demanding slow tempi of 4 and 7. A real stretch, what a master!

[@IVANKOVALE]

Exceptional performance! It's a pity, that Kogan didn't record all caprices. In 1949 he played all caprices by Paganini in one concert - this concert became a legend.

[@classicalvinyltransfers]

Wow, I did not know that he played all caprices, that is really interesting! I wonder if a recording exists.

[@johankaruyan5536]

To hear him play all the caprices would be one of the best things to ever happen in my life

[@IVANKOVALE]

@@classicalvinyltransfers There is no recording. This legendary concerto was in 1949 in Small Hall of Moscow Conservatory. Kogan's son Pavel in one of the movies (after 2000) told that there was a sort of debate between Kogan and his wife Elizaveta Gilels about whether it is possible to play all caprices in single concert. And some time after that debate Kogan did that. At that time Kogan was known mainly to professionals and at the beginning of the concert the hall was not full. But during concerto information spread immediately among people in Conservatory and after break the hall was full. Long before Pavel's story about debate many biographers of Kogan (such as proffessor Grigoriev) recalled that legendary concerto.

[@abelardoavendano6013]

Unsurpassable virtuosity, i. e., perfection itself.

[@user-ly9lx8mu7q]

Коган поднял исполнение каприсов до уровня отдельных произведений и сейчас равных ему в этом нет...чего уж там? - поищите такой чистоты тона...да хрен там. Желторотая молодёжь (некоторым уже под 50) больше этим бравирует, а для него это было началом... Он приходил в наш мир открыть нам гений Паганини и сам стал в этом своем движении недосягаемым - это факт неоспоримый...куда уж там хайфецам и всем прочим !?! Очевидцам его магических и феноменальных концертов повезло точно...что не позабудут никогда вот этой высочайшей планки, до которой нынешним бесголосым щеглам с дорогими скрипками в руках ещё идти и идти в гору - будто каторжникам в кандалах. Потому что у них своего голоса или нет или он тоньше писка, как говорил Маяковский...а есть только лауреатство и амбиции. Совсем не вижу мыслей тратиться во имя музыки. Народ же не глупый - всё видит...и умеет отличить сбежавших и будто бы успешных ка́леров и прочих грубертов. Спб, рабочий, 60 лет.

[@AdamerKeithski]

Related to other previous comments on Kogan’s interpretation of the Caprices vs other violinists…such as “his No4 is less daring” (etc) than XYZ artists, it’s worth keeping in mind the intergalactic virtuosity of other Paganini opus such as the “Nel cor piu non mi sento” variations and other Pag hyper-showpieces, to say nothing about the Concerti which were class-leading (or tying at least). Given Kogan’s immense technical mastery, and his vast study of various etudes (Kreutzer, Dont, Rode, Sevcik and others)PLUS Paganini…does anyone seriously doubt he couldn’t pedal to the metal these studies more than he did here? I opine that L.K. sought to bring out maximum clarity, musicality and beauty of tone from each Caprice, rather than simply show off his “Sith Lord Maximum”, which he already had other recordings and performances to demonstrate. Besides…he gives you a little taste of that power in No 24, in case you forgot, where he kicks in some unconventional variations, and throws in the insane Auer/Heifetz finale at the last . 🤜🏽💥 🤛🏽 “UNLIMITED POWERRRR!!”

[@violin546]

Remarkable timing; tempo restrained, subordinated virtuosity into service of the phrases. Brilliance.

[@dmitrogold4956]

Kogan Leonid is a Ukrainian violinist from the city of Katerynoslav (now Dnipro)

[@carolacalderon4383]

Personally I think Leonid Kogan is not only one of the top genius or best world violinists, sadly died at 58 years old, but one of the best Paganini 's violin interpreter.

[@krellin]

im positive kogan is the best violinist that we have recordings of... at least for me, i do not know anyone better than him

[@TheZombieGAGA]

Kogan discovery

[@violinhunter2]

That #4 is probably the toughest of them all. Kogan is one of my top 4 favorite fiddle players but Maria Duenas plays that #4 better than maestro Kogan.

[@jeanparke9373]

Not sure about the word "better" but Ms.Dueñas plays with a very appropriate fiery tone and temper for sure.

[@javieraramfiliuoreilly2836]

???

[@frankie6954]

This was back in 1949, you never know what conditions these caprices recorded and whether there were any retakes. I can't imagine anyone playing these caprices better than Kogan. There is a wonderful photo of Kogan with Heifetz. It was taken in the home of Heifetz. Heifetz had long retired. They had mutual respect for each others playing.

[@abelardoavendano8962]

Maria Duenas is undoubtedly an extremely flawless virtuoso violinist.

[@gianlucalav]

Ma va là! Tre classi di differenza, altro che Duenas! NON LICET PARVA COMPONERE MAGNIS!