Zino Francescatti

[Barbirollians]

He is a violinist who I have heard of rather than have heard.

I received today a cheap second hand Sony CD of Sibelius's Concerto with Oistrakh and Ormandy that had been going for a song . A bit of a guilty pleasure - the accompaniment is rather widescreen and schmaltzy but Oistrakh is sublime and it works but not a performance for everyday.

The Beethoven with Francescatti and Walter with which it is coupled is a real bonus. Despite the Franco-Austrian combination this is also a bit widescreen but the playing is immensely characterful from all concerned . The opening of the first movement is superbly done by Walter and Francescatti catches the ear throughout . Again not a performance for everyday but enough to send Roy Goodman apoplectic which considering the emaciated recordings he preferred on BAL a good sign.

Anyone have any Zino recordings to recommend ?

[Don Petter]

I have been an admirer of his since the LP days - particularly his chamber recordings with Casadesus.

I bought this a month or so ago, and have been greatly enjoying it:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B007CDF7I8/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00

[Ferretfancy]

I would strongly recommend Francescatti's recording of the Walton Violin Concerto with Ormandy and the Philadelphia. The other items on my CD are all with the NYPO and Andre Kostelanetz, now there's a forgotten name! Lively performances of the Johannesburg Festival Overture and the Facade Suite No. 1
I imagine that this Sony CD has been deleted, but it's worth searching for.

[mikealdren]

I agree too. Francescatti was a very fine violinist and a terrific technician. The Oistrakh Sibelius has long been a favourite but Francescatti's performance is very fine too, it used to be coupled with his Walton on LP.
He made an amazing recording of Paganini's I Palpiti with orchestra that incorporates the opening passage of the 1st Wieniawski concerto as a cadenza, it's amongst the most virtuosic playing I have ever heard.
Mike

[Hornspieler]

I agree too. Francescatti was a very fine violinist and a terrific technician. The Oistrakh Sibelius has long been a favourite but Francescatti's performance is very fine too, it used to be coupled with his Walton on LP.
He made an amazing recording of Paganini's I Palpiti with orchestra that incorporates the opening passage of the 1st Wieniawski concerto as a cadenza, it's amongst the most virtuosic playing I have ever heard.
Mike

He recorded all the Paganini concertos with Charles Dutoit and (I think) the Montreal Symphony Orchestra in the late 1950s.
Fantastic playing! I had those records but they've gone AWOL somewhere. I must initiate a search for them.

HS

[salymap]

I have several of Francescatti but the only LP I can find is the Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky VCs with the Philharmonic-Symphony orchestra of New York conducted by Mitropoulos.

It's so old I can't remember it. LP is labelled 'Mini-Groove 33 1/3 which dates it somewhat.

[kernelbogey]

I was introduced to the Beethoven VC in Francescatti's recording which my brother owned and which I played over and over - cementing a deep love of the piece ever since. I believe it was an Ace of Clubs, but I don't remember the conductor as Walter.

[Barbirollians]

I was introduced to the Beethoven VC in Francescatti's recording which my brother owned and which I played over and over - cementing a deep love of the piece ever since. I believe it was an Ace of Clubs, but I don't remember the conductor as Walter.

From what I can gather there is an earlier 1950 recording with Ormandy but that was on Columbia.

[amateur51]

A fine artist and his partnership with Robert Casadesus in Beethoven is a great favourite. Some people used to complain about his 'nervy' vibrato but it sounds fine to me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Du0_K7etVtI

[umslopogaas]

Just checked my records, I didnt realise I had so many of his recordings. All on LP, some in mono, mostly CBS or English Columbia, but a few on Philips:

Beethoven concerto, two recordings cond. Walter and Ormandy
Beethoven violin sonatas 3,4,7,10 (not sure if he recorded them all), with Casadesus
Brahms concerto
Sibelius concerto
Mendelssohn concerto
Walton concerto
Chausson Poeme
Brahms double concerto with Fournier
Kreisler items

And indeed, you dont hear much about Andre Kostelanetz these days: wasnt he a dance band leader as well as a conductor?

[hafod]

He recorded all the Paganini concertos with Charles Dutoit and (I think) the Montreal Symphony Orchestra in the late 1950s.
Fantastic playing! I had those records but they've gone AWOL somewhere. I must initiate a search for them.
HS

My heart leapt when I read this as the only Paganini concerto recording by Francescatti that I was aware of is the first with Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra from (I think) the 1950s. However, Dutoit conducted a complete cycle with Accardo and the LPO in the 1970s. Anyway Dutoit was still studying in the late 1950s so I think there are some crossed wires.

[Don Petter]

Just checked my records, I didnt realise I had so many of his recordings. All on LP, some in mono, mostly CBS or English Columbia, but a few on Philips:

Beethoven violin sonatas 3,4,7,10 (not sure if he recorded them all), with Casadesus

They certainly recorded 5 and 9 as well.

[mikealdren]

He recorded all the Paganini concertos with Charles Dutoit and (I think) the Montreal Symphony Orchestra in the late 1950s.
Fantastic playing! I had those records but they've gone AWOL somewhere. I must initiate a search for them.
HS

I think you may be confusing his Paganini with Accardo who did a full set with Dutoit/Montreal on DG. He did record the first concerto with Ormandy in the 50s but only the first two concerti were performed at all in those days. 4 and 5 gradually emerged in the late 50s. The 3rd and 6th concerti didn't come to light until much later - Szeryng did the modern premier of the 3rd in the RFH in the early 70s with Alexander Gibson and then he recorded it.

Mike

[Hornspieler]

I think you may be confusing his Paganini with Accardo who did a full set with Dutoit/Montreal on DG. He did record the first concerto with Ormandy in the 50s but only the first two concerti were performed at all in those days. 4 and 5 gradually emerged in the late 50s. The 3rd and 6th concerti didn't come to light until much later - Szeryng did the modern premier of the 3rd in the RFH in the early 70s with Alexander Gibson and then he recorded it.

Mike

Thanks. Yes, you are absolutely right!

(There's no fool like an old fool)

HS

[Barbirollians]

Those Accardo records are splendid though and HS has reminded me I have not played them for a while so I shall give them a spin over the next few days .