For Subscribers

An unforgotten talent: 100 years of violinist Leonid Kogan

2024-11-08T09:56:00.083

Kogan Strad Dec 2011

The matchless Soviet violinist Leonid Kogan was born 100 years ago on 14 November 1924. To mark the centenary, Tully Potter examines the life of ‘the greatest violinist’ he’s ever heard in concert

Amid some 60 years of watching violinists of all sizes, shapes and accomplishments ply their trade in the concert hall, only a few occasions stand out, and one of them took place at the Royal Festival Hall, London, on Friday 23 January 1970. It was an everyday concert in many ways, and I have totally forgotten the new symphony by Hoddinott that the Hallé Orchestra was presenting; likewise conductor Maurice Handford’s performance of Elgar’s Second, a favourite work of mine. The evening was remarkable for my first live hearing of Leonid Kogan…

Already subscribed? Please sign in

Subscribe to continue reading…

We’re delighted that you are enjoying our website. For a limited period, you can try an online subscription to The Strad completely free of charge.

  • Free 7-day trial

    Not sure about subscribing? Sign up now to read this article in full and you’ll also receive unlimited access to premium online content, including the digital edition and online archive for 7 days.

    Free trial

    No strings attached – we won’t ask for your card details

  • Subscribe 

    No more paywalls. To enjoy the best in-depth features and analysis from The Strad’s latest and past issues, upgrade to a subscription now. You’ll also enjoy regular issues and special supplements* and access to an online archive of issues back to 2010.

    Subscribe

 

* Issues and supplements are available as both print and digital editions. Online subscribers will only receive access to the digital versions.