The late Oscar Shumsky’s reputation as a violinist’s violinist is thoroughly borne out in his 1988 Beethoven Concerto recording for ASV, now re-released by Sanctuary Classics at budget price. Even in his late 60s Shumsky’s technique and intonation remained solidly intact, his musicianship as seasoned as ever. The first movement is a veritable master class. Note the urgency and accuracy of Shumsky’s broken octaves when he enters after the first-movement ritornello, the subtle inflections of accent and phrase that enliven the extensive triplet figurations, and the awesome yet effortless authority with which he plays Fritz Kreisler’s difficult cadenza. The slow movement makes a forward moving and refreshingly terse impression that contrasts to the introspective delicacy you often find in this music. However, because Shumsky is balanced too forward in the mix, we lose the witty thematic interplay between the soloist and the woodwinds in the finale, along with important string tuttis that don’t register as solidly as they should. While you’ll find superior orchestra/soloist equanimity via Perlman/Giulini, Grumiaux/Davis, and Stern/Bernstein, Shumsky’s artistry is worth many times this disc’s modest cost, and the F major Romance makes for eloquent filler. Let’s hope Sanctuary has Shumsky’s unaccompanied Bach and extensive Kreisler series on the proverbial back burner.
