The Russian violinist Mischa Elman (1891-1967) was born in the Pale of Settlement and is regarded by many as the original ‘Fiddler on the Roof’. He produced one of the most glowing sounds ever made on the violin, and was known in his lifetime as ‘the violinist with the golden tone’. Furthermore, he influenced a whole generation of aspiring Russian-Jewish violinists hoping to follow in his footsteps.

This CD features all of Elman’s recordings made during the Second World War. It includes two luscious French sonatas: Fauré’s Sonata no.1 in A and Debussy’s Sonata in G minor, partnered by Leopold Mittmann. Also included are many of the short violin pieces which Elman was especially known for. In fact, the violinist’s record sales exceeded over two million during his lifetime. Included on this CD are such perennial favourites as Schumann’s Träumerei, Dvořák’s beloved Humoresque and the beloved Méditation from Massenet’s opera Thaïs, as well as pieces by Mendelssohn, Grieg and Sibelius. Also included are Grigoras Dinicu’s sparkling Hora staccato (in Heifetz’s effective transcription), and two Jewish works: the passionate Nigun by Ernest Bloch and Joseph Achron’s haunting Hebrew Melody.