Zino Francescatti

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Zino Francescatti (René-Charles Francescatti ) (August 9, 1902 - September 17, 1991) was a French virtuoso violinist.

Zino Francescatti was born in Marseilles, to a musical family. Both parents were violinists. His father having studied with Camillo Sivori, also played the cello. He studied violin from age three, and was quickly recognized as a child prodigy. He began performing at the age of five and made his debut playing Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D at age 10. He was a Paganini specialist, and his recording of Paganini's Violin Concerto #1 is still regarded as one of the best ever made. Francescatti also made an historic recording of the Beethoven sonatas for violin and piano with Robert Casadesus. In addition to being a great technique violinist, he also was capable of playing all of the great concerti. His performance of Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E minor, Saint-Saëns Violin Concerto #3, Bruch's Violin Concerto #1, and others, are highly regarded.

In 1927, he went to Paris to teach at the École Normale de Musique and also conducted the Concerts Poulets. He made his first world tour in 1931 and his American debut with with Barbirolli and the New York Philharmonic in 1939 playing the Paganini's 1st Violin Concerto. At the end of World War II in 1945, he pursued an outstanding international career until his retirement in 1976.

He performed on the celebrated "Hart" Stradivarius of 1727, which he sold upon his retirement and established the Zino Francescatti Foundation in La Ciotat to assist young violinists. In 1987 an International violin competition was organized in his honor in Aix-en-Provence. He died in La Ciotat, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France at the age of 89.

[edit] Quotes

"Known for his lyrical performance style and as a champion of contemporary violin music by such composers as Darius Milhaud, Leonard Bernstein, and Karol Szymanowski." - Encyclopædia Britannica

"Francescatti's playing was marked by a seemingly effortless technique, warmth of expression, and tonal elegance. "[1]

"One of the great classical violinists of the twentieth century. Among his recordings are Saint-Saens's famous and popular "Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso", with Leonard Bernstein conducting the New York Philharmonic." [2]

[edit] Referneces

  1. ^ http://www.thirteen.org/publicarts/violin/francescatti.html
  2. ^ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0289895/bio