David Oistrakh was a Soviet Russian violin virtuoso, violist, and conductor. He was also Professor at the Moscow Conservatory and Laureate of the Lenin Prize (1960).  He appeared with major orchestras and musicians from many parts of the world and was the dedicatee of numerous violin works, including both of Dmitri Shostakovich's violin concerti and the violin concerto by Aram Khachaturian. He is considered one of the preeminent violinists of the 20th century.