Zino Francescatti plays Lalo & Vieuxtemps

Zino Francescatti's exceptional violin mastery is on full display in 'Zino Francescatti plays Lalo & Vieuxtemps', a captivating classical album released on 16 July 2021 by Biddulph Recordings. This outstanding collection features four recordings that showcase Francescatti's immaculate technique and brilliant tone, which earned him a reputation as one of the premier violinists of the 20th century.

The album commences with Vieuxtemps's Concerto No. 4 in D Minor, Op. 31, a work whose expansive orchestral passages prompted Hector Berlioz to describe it as 'a symphony with solo violin'. Francescatti's sunny exuberance brings to life the concertos of Lalo and Vieuxtemps, as well as the perennial favourites, Saint-Saëns's Havanaise and Sarasate's Zigeunerweisen.

With the accompaniment of esteemed orchestras, including the Philadelphia Orchestra under Eugene Ormandy and the New York Philharmonic under Dimitri Mitropoulos, Francescatti's artistry shines brightly throughout the album's 10 tracks. The Symphonie Espagnole, Op. 21, by Lalo, is a particular highlight, with its intricate and expressive passages expertly navigated by Francescatti's virtuosic playing.

Clocking in at 1 hour and 15 minutes, 'Zino Francescatti plays Lalo & Vieuxtemps' is a must-listen for classical music enthusiasts and fans of exceptional violin playing. Francescatti's legacy as a direct descendant of Niccolò Paganini is evident in his masterful performances, which continue to inspire and delight audiences to this day.

Zino Francescatti, born René-Charles Francescatti, was a French virtuoso violinist celebrated for his lyrical and expressive playing style. Making his US debut in 1939 with the New York Philharmonic, Francescatti's career flourished, particularly during the 1950s and 1960s when he settled in America. Known for his immaculate technique and brilliant tone, he was regarded as one of the premier violinists of the 20th century. Francescatti's repertoire spanned works by composers such as Dmitri Shostakovich, Robert Schumann, César Franck, and Henryk Wieniawski, among others. His recordings, including notable performances with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic, showcase his mastery and have left an indelible mark on the classical music world.