1. Leonid Borisovich Kogan was a preeminent Soviet violinist during the 20th century.
17 Facts About Leonid Kogan
1. 2.
Leonid Kogan studied at the Central Music School in Moscow, then at the Moscow Conservatory, where he studied as a postgraduate.
3.
Leonid Kogan was co-winner of the first prize at the World Youth Festival in Prague.
4.
In 1951, Leonid Kogan won first prize at the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels with a dazzling performance of Paganini's first concerto that included an outstanding interpretation of Sauret's cadenza.
5.
Leonid Kogan had a repertoire of over 18 concerti and a number of concerti by modern composers were dedicated to him.
6.
In 1952, Leonid Kogan began teaching at the Moscow Conservatory, and in 1980 he was invited to teach at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena, Italy.
7.
Leonid Kogan's career was always overshadowed by that of David Oistrakh, who was strongly promoted by the Soviet authorities.
8.
Leonid Kogan was made a People's Artist of the USSR in 1964, and received the Lenin Prize in 1965.
9.
Leonid Kogan married Elizabeth Gilels, a concert violinist.
10.
Leonid Kogan died of a heart attack in the city of Mytishchi, while travelling by train between Moscow and Yaroslavl to a concert he was to perform with his son.
11.
Many speculate that Leonid Kogan played on all steel strings, though there is not an outright confirmation.
12.
Leonid Kogan used two Guarneri del Gesu violins: the 1726 ex-Colin and the 1733 ex-Burmester.
13.
Leonid Kogan formed a trio with pianist Emil Gilels and cellist Mstislav Rostropovich.
14.
Leonid Kogan was the first Soviet violinist to play and record Berg's Violin Concerto.
15.
Leonid Kogan made a famous recording of Khachaturian's Violin Concerto with Pierre Monteux and the Boston Symphony Orchestra for RCA Victor, a version still considered the most exciting reading of the work.
16.
Leonid Kogan recorded violin concerti by other Soviet composers, including the two by Tikhon Khrennikov.
17.
Nowadays, these Leonid Kogan records are among the most sought-after records for classical vinyl collectors.