Issay Dobrowen (1891-1953) was a Russian-born conductor, pianist and composer who worked widely in Europe. He became especially associated with opera and symphonic repertory, and conducted in several major musical centres.

In the Pristine catalogue he appears with Ginette Neveu and Bronisław Huberman in concerto recordings, including Brahms, Sibelius, Bach and Mozart.

Dobrowen’s conducting was shaped by strong theatrical instincts and by the old world of conductor-pianist musicianship. He could provide soloists with both firmness and flexibility.

His page is justified by stature as well as catalogue presence. Dobrowen stands at one of those crossroads where Russian training, European opera and the recording studio all meet.