Are these the ten best string players ever?
Read more at http://www.classicfm.com/instruments/best-string-players-ever/#UtbAKqiHwBzy3mGr.99
Read more at http://www.classicfm.com/instruments/best-string-players-ever/#UtbAKqiHwBzy3mGr.99
1
Jacqueline du Pré (1945-1987) - cellist
One of the outstanding cellists of the last century, du Pré's career ended when she was 28 because of multiple sclerosis. Her version of Elgar's Cello Concerto still ranks among the greatest.
+161-21
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2
Niccolo Paganini (1782-1840), violinist
Audiences believed Paganini had made a pact with the devil to give him his supernatural fiddling powers. Some even claimed to see the devil during his performances. HIs most famous piece is played here by Alexander Markov.
+100-16
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3
David Oistrakh (1908-1974), violinist
One of the greatest violinists of the 20th century, Oistrakh was so lauded by the Soviet powers that he was allowed to travel the world and play any one of the seven Stradivarius instruments owned by the government.
+74-14
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4
Pablo Casals (1876-1973), cellist
The brilliant Catalan cellist dominated the first half of the 20th century. He made numerous recordings but is best remembered for his recordings of the Bach Cello Suites which he brought out of obscurity.
+80-20
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5
Fritz Kreisler (1875-1962), violinist
Kreisler's sound was loved for its sweetness and expressive phrasing. His sound was immediately recognizable as his own. And he wrote some showstopping pieces for the fiddle, too.
+57-19
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6
William Primrose (1904-1982), violist
The technically dazzling Scottish virtuoso had works written for him by Bartok and Britten. He became so well known, he has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and his Guarneri instrument is now known as the ex-Primrose. It is now owned by Ulrich Fritze who played it for 30 years as principal violist of the Berlin Philharmonic.
+47-18
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7
David Popper (1843-1913), cellist
Prague-born Popper made his debut in Vienna in 1867 and toured extensively around Europe with his pianist wife. He performed chamber music with Brahms. He was one of the last great cellists who did not use an endpin to support the weight of his instrument. Popper's 'Dance of the Elves' is played here by Daniel Gaisford.
+47-19
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8
Paul Tortelier (1914-1990), cellist
Tortelier played the cello part in Richard Strauss' Don Quixote under the composer. In 1947 he gave his British debut under Beecham who told him, "My boy, you will be successful in England because you have temperament". A French critic said of Tortelier, "If Casals is Jupiter, then Tortelier is Apollo."
+44-19
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9
Giuseppe Tartini (1692-1770), violinist and composer
The Italian is best known for his fiendishly difficult 'Devil's Trill Sonata'. Tartini was reportedly inspired to write the piece after the Devil appeared playing the violin at the foot of his bed. It was also rumoured that the violinist had six fingers on his left hand which made playing those trills a whole lot easier.
+42-24
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10
Nobuko Imai (1943-), violist
A superb contemporary viola player, Tokyo-born Imai has released more than 30 albums and has appeared with all of the world's leading orchestras including the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and the LSO. Toru Takemitsu composed a Viola Concerto for her in 1989.
