Francescatti Plays Sarasate

Zino Francescatti (1902-1991) was one of the great violinists of the Twentieth Century. He was born in France and became the foremost exponent of the French violin repertoire. He made many recordings of music by Franck, Ravel, Faure and Debussy with his compatriot Robert Casadesus and they remain nearly definitive. He also became internationally renowned through his recordings for Columbia Records. Many of these Columbia recordings have recently been remastered and reissued by Music and Arts (CD-1260). Other performances of music by Bach and Paganini have been reissued by Doremi (DHR-7780).

Francescatti had a phenomenal technique. He also had a distinctive somewhat nasal tone characteristic of many French violinists. In this 1959 video Francescatti plays Sarasate's Zigeunerweisen (Gypsy Airs) in a performance originally broadcast on television.

Paul E. Robinson