Rudolf Borisovich Barshai (Russian:Рудольф Борисович Баршай, September 28, 1924 – November 2, 2010)[1][2][3] was a Soviet and Russianconductor andviolist.[4]
In 1955, Barshai founded theMoscow Chamber Orchestra, which he led and conducted until he emigrated to the West in 1977. He was the artistic director of theIsrael Chamber Orchestra from 1978 to 1981. From 1981 until 1982, Barshai was principal conductor ofVancouver Symphony Orchestra and the Principal Guest Conductor ofOrchestre National de France (National Orchestra of France) from 1985 to 1986. He was also the principal conductor of theBournemouth Symphony Orchestra from 1982 to 1988 as well as the permanent Guest Conductor in many Orchestras of Europe, Canada, USA, Taiwan, andJapan. Barshai resided inSwitzerland until his death in 2010.
Barshai's first wife was Nina Barshai (married 1947, divorced 1953), who became second violinist of the Borodin Quartet. They had a son, Lev Barshai (1946–2014). In 1954, Barshai married Anna Martinson (1928–2012), a Russian painter and costume designer and daughter of theSoviet comicSergey Martinson. Together they had a son,Walter Barshai, born in 1955. The couple divorced in 1963 and, in 1968, Barshai married Japanese translator Teruko Soda (divorced 1974). They had a son, Takeshi, who was born on January 10, 1967. In 1980, Barshai married harpsichordist and organist Elena Raskova. They lived in Switzerland nearBasel, where he was buried.[6]
A biographical film about Barshai,The Note,[7] was made in 2010 by Oleg Dorman. In 2013, the story was featured in the bookThe Note. In 2015, the English label ICA Classics releasedA Tribute to Rudolf Barshai, a commemorative 20-CD set of his recordings.[8]
Barshai achieved fame as a musical interpreter and arranger ofShostakovich's andProkofiev's music. He is particularly noted for his arrangements of Shostakovich's string quartets, especiallyString Quartet No. 8, for chamber orchestra.[9] In 2000, Barshai produced a performing version ofMahler'sTenth Symphony, which was left unfinished at the composer's death. Also, he recorded many Shostakovich's works, among which was the widely praised world premiere recording of the composer'sFourteenth Symphony. Many of his recordings earned critical acclaim and won international awards,[citation needed] including:
Ivan Khandoshkin: Concerto for Viola & Orchestra (in C Major). Moscow Chamber Orchestra, Rudolf Barshai, conductor and viola. Moderato, Canzona: Andante, Rondo: "La Chasse", Allegretto
J. S. Bach, Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004, Arranged for viola by Rudolf Barshai. Played on Stradivarius viola, recorded in 1960
J. S. Bach, Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 for 2 violas. Moscow Chamber Orchestra, live concert recording at the Moscow Conservatory. Rudolf Barshai, conductor and viola
Robert Schuman,Märchenbilder for viola and piano, Op. 113. Rudolf Barshai, solo viola, accompanied on piano by Vladimir Shreibman
Sergey Prokofiev, Five pieces fromRomeo and Juliet, arranged for viola and piano by R. Barshai
Handel/Casadesus, viola concerto in B minor (arr. R. Barshai). Moscow Chamber Orchestra, R. Barshai, viola and conductor
Glinka, Mikhail Ivanovich, Sonata for Viola and Piano in D minor. Rudolf Barshai, viola, Tatiana Nikolayeva, piano
Piano Concertos Nos. 2 & 3, Peter Donohoe (piano), Nigel Kennedy (violin), Steven Isserelis (cello), Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. 1986,1987,1989 EMI CDC 7499392
Telemann – Concerto for 3 Oboes, 3 Violins and Strings in B-flat. 1965/1967 EMI 724356534025
Torelli – Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 8, No. 9, Spivakov, solo, MCO. 1972/1973
M. Vainberg – Symphony No. 7, Op. 81, MCO. 1967/1969 OLYMPIA OCD 472
Vivaldi – Concerto in G minor RV577, MCO. 1971/1971
Verdi – Requiem, live in Waldbühne, Berlin, World Symphony Orchestra, Maryland Chorus, Shinyu-Kai Choir, Sveshnikov Choir. June 11, 1994; IPPNW-Concerts 2-CD
Media related toRudolf Barshai at Wikimedia Commons
