Francescatti: St Saens, Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso

Zino Francescatti plays Introduction and Rondo capriccioso composed by Camille Saint Saens.
Recorded in 1964; New York philarmonique orchestra, dir. Leonard Bernstein.

[@ytsilva3777]

Gosh! I read so many harsh criticism by the specialists that I feel sick about them all. Well, I'm not musically so well educated and I was born only in the 90's. Then let me tell you that I'd love to be much more older than I am so that I could have had the opportunity to listen to this genius in a live concert. My advice: Stop being so technically precious and listen to him.

[@peterellinger5532]

Yt Silva: I listened to him in Tel Aviv. I thought h was great but, of course, I am not a critic. Many critics are " experts". Experts"

[@JuanMartinexplacerez-mw3we]

Magistral interpretación del Prestigioso Violinista ZINO Francescatti.

[@maxreger100]

Such a sweet tone and so French in style. None of the overplaying and vulgarity on the g-string as so many of the 'greats' do. Fantastic intonation and superb up-bow staccato.

[@arribachrach2966]

the intonation is not fantastic......... listen more carefully!Arri Bachach

[@maxreger100]

I need examples, arri bachrach. Just where does he slip up?

[@arribachrach2966]

little slips at 1:26, !:56, 2:14,2:28,2:36,3.25, 4:01-6, B is very sharp, etc., he plays beautifully, great sound but he is not as accurate like Heifetz, Milstien and others of his generation. AB

[@maxreger100]

I'm sorry that this offends you. One can find similar spots with Heifetz--perhaps fewer with Milstein. I suppose it has to do with what one listens FOR. For me, Francescatti is stylistically perfectly suited for this airy music. Every great violinist has recorded it, but overall his playing convinces me more than any other. BTW--this was recorded in the "new" Philharmonic Hall at Lincoln Center (1964) where it was a discovered that the acoustics were horrible! You can hear on this recording that it is VERY boomy, favoring the low strings and, especially, the timpani! They eventually improved it--but to this day, it ain't Carnegie Hall !

[@JoaoFurtadoCoelho777]

But perhaps a better MUSICIAN!... Certainly better musician than Heifetz on this one - and that is what matters IMO. This IS NOT my opinion ONLY: I do have EVIDENCE that no less a person than WILLIAM WALTON felt the same!!!...

[@LambentOrt]

I've heard different recordings of this piece played by other violinists. And while I think Leonid Kogan and Michael Rabin did wonderful versions, as did many other esteemed violinists, it is Francescatti's version with NYP and Bernstein that I always return to. His tone is so romantic and old school, with such a singing melodic line, and the recording is stunning. Of course, there are other equally wonderful recordings, and we are all so lucky to have such a glut of talent to enjoy. But I for one am very grateful to have had the opportunity to come across this recording in my lifetime and know that Francescatti was truly one of the great violinists of his generation.

[@nilsfrederking62]

He is superb. I recommend to also listen to the version of Isaac Stern, also very beautiful.

[@winglow7615]

When Francesscatti came to town I went to hear him, only because he was famous and I was a violin student. I couldn't tell very good from good. Now I consider him among the very best. So gentle, so elegant.

[@bastiatintheandes4958]

Such charm, gorgeous sound and perfect style. Only a Frenchman could play French music this superb way.

[@dominiquedarco8924]

C'est extraordinaire ,je pense que c'est la version avec Berstein ? Virtuosité mais surtout musique et émotion sont la ,quel beau début !! Le couplage était avec Chausson et Ravel un disque rare et splendide , du très grand Francescatti .

[@danasumova6581]

Nemohu se dost nabažit této skladby zrovna v tomto provedení. Sólistovi bylo 62 let, když ji nahrál - naprosto brilantně, přitom tak výrazově, že i přes technickou náročnost uchoval její nespornou hudební melodičnost a krásu. Newyorkští filharmonici a Lenny Bernstein k tomuto výkonu dokreslili impozantní rámec. Velmi děkuji za nahrávku, Zino Francescatti tu velice, velice chybí - výtečný houslista, vášnivý šlechtitel růží a skvělý člověk. Moc zdravím z České republiky, oblasti Rakovnicka.

[@jankodera5811]

Zino has (at least) one quality ahead of other performers: he has continuous soft highly musical tone; if there is question of cold technique or musicality, he puts his bet on musicality. That is the best choice for every highest artist IMO.

[@raoultak]

Most beautiful....what character....sparkling....Francescatti. Close your eyes and enjoy!

[@krikorhadidian897]

I am not a musician. I loved this Rondo Capriccioso when I was 17 now I am 83 I listened to this from some top violinists, and I came to a conclusion that a violinist who reaches to this level, can play this CAPRICCIOSO very well. Thank you. Krikor Vasken from L. A. CA.

[@sylviafarese9546]

Me encanta

[@65attila]

Beautiful playing of beautiful music. At times one can have it all.

[@amiblevy]

This humble gentle giant violinist was my source of inspiration when I started and his playing is grooved in m mind forever.

[@angelrwbf]

It's so nice to see a comments page where people simply enjoy the music rather than feel the need to viciously argue about which musician is "the best." I have several violinists who's playing I adore, most of the same great masters many people mention, and each of them has a version of a certain piece of music that I feel is the best interpretation. For this piece, this is the version I prefer above the rest. And hey, I enjoy a good debate with someone over our preferences as much as anyone el

[@amiblevy]

This humble gentle giant violinist is my source of inspiration and the very reason I started the violin in the first place.

[@PaulLeevoiceactor]

His sweetness makes me cry...wow listen to his Bach Chaccone It's incredible...just incredible.

[@witsukyai1685]

Like the Cortot of Piano, he makes me love violin music.

[@MrKlemps]

Catch the timpani cadenza at 8:19 played incomparably by the great Saul Goodman and the joining of timpani and violin in disparate ranges right near the end. Delightful touches usually missed or messed in other recordings.

[@raoultak]

My heart melts........how can this be?

[@damiangrey3]

Los años han pasado, ni Saint-Saens ni Zino Francescatti han podidop con la muerte, mas la muerte no ha podido con esta soberbia interpretación del Rondo capriccioso. Grande Zino!!!!!

[@JoaoFurtadoCoelho777]

Thanks for this extraordinary upload. This is my favorite interpretation. I believe I'm aware of Heifetz's talent and genius, but the fact is that, in many cases, I prefer Francescatti's renderings of the same pieces. And it's not only me!... I have "proof", so to speak, that that was also the opinion of no less a personality than Sir William Walton!... In fact around 1965 (I believe) Walton came to Lisbon (my hometown) to direct the National Symphony Orchestra in a concert with works by himself: the Johannesburg Festival Overture, followed by the Variations on a Theme by Hindemith (a very good work... second world performance), and the viola concerto. He rehearsed 2 or 3 times. At a short break during one of these, my good friend Vasco Barbosa (the orchestra's leader and a very good violinist - and a staunch admirer of Heifetz's) seized the opportunity and asked: "Maestro : do you think Francescatti is as good as Heifetz?" - The simple, disyllabic answer came instantaneously: -"At least..." - I suppose people know that quite a few years before Heifetz commissioned (asked for and payed) a concerto for violin from W. Walton. In fact it included an exclusivity clause: for some 3 years nobody would be allowed to play it, except Heifetz, of course. Composer and violinist worked on it closely together: Walton composing the music... Heifetz pushing the composer to make it more and more difficult! Of course Walton didn't go beyond the limits of "good music" just to please the virtuoso... Well, the concerto is technically pretty difficult! But it is a beautiful concerto... So, Walton was quite well informed about violin playing! Not surprisingly, there is a recording by Francescatti (among others); and there again I prefer Francescatti's rendering to Heifetz'... Shared on Google+

[@ottarhauge2205]

João Furtado-Coelho

[@violionalan335]

such a nice play Francescatti!! BUT above all it's an excellent recording look at the date when?? wonderful better than most of today's recording

[@CLASSICALFAN100]

When Fritz Kreisler retired, he handed his bow to Zino Francescatti in a public ceremony...

[@Harutyunian]

Really? I never heard of that. What a beautiful gesture of a legendary violinist to his equally great colleague! Kreisler was and IS famous for his generosity...

[@supremok]

incredible how i discovered this recording years ago but didn't knew the interpreter... now i know it. thank you.

[@kanashihana]

His sounds is amazing!

[@1IrishWarning]

His sound is just incredible

[@bodiloto]

FENOMENO !

[@angelrwbf]

It's just refreshing to see a comments section devoid of the vicious anger you find in so many others. Thanks for posting this piece which, in My opinion, is the best! ;)

[@mesoman4]

Mr. Bernstein snagged a real winner with this 1964 classique, of the 800 versions I have this is clearly at the top.

[@zojapetkovamarkovic8963]

Definitivno podobra interpretacija,ovde mislam i na orkestarot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@vivacepuletti2944]

Francescatti incise due volte questo "Rondo' Capriccioso", ma la mia preferenza va per quest'ultima, per lo "CHARME" che sprigiona da questa stupenda e magnifica interpretazione! L'eccellente presa del suono stereofonico ne esalta tutte le qualità. Quella incisa negli anni cinquanta con Ormandi fù impostata più che altro nella sua veloce virtuosità tecnica.

[@raoultak]

OMG....what a hot tone. It's like an Arabic horse that jumps around. Francescatti ought to be one of the greatest of all times.

[@ViolinDad]

OMG, so fast, but so fun! Thanks for posting this, such a joy to listen to!

[@pascalmayer9421]

stradivarius ? superbe sonorité un grand musicien

[@danielji9479]

People go, but music stays. Please let me listen to a lot of good music in the future.

[@themusicdr]

that is amazing - 800 versions - i would love to be privvy to ur collection :-)

[@JoelLeBras]

Grandiose. Francescatti's hairdresser was also my uncle's one. Nevertheless, grandiose.

[@PaulLeevoiceactor]

@amiblevy Me to I was just 18 when I heard and I was in awe along with Perlman, and Heifetz .

[@mayuoka1001]

Thank you for posting this !!!

[@yscslim]

2nd best interpretation at my taste :P you guys should listen to Gitlis playing this! It's AMAZING!

[@angelrwbf]

else, but I don't understand those who become aggressively angry over something as subjective as ones preferences. I love many kinds of music, and might prefer one over another, or prefer one musician over another within a specific genre, but I can appreciate the unique talents of different artists equally.

[@kamishichan]

best youtube channel, thanks petrof4056

[@aratta7000]

🏵

[@niklakislakis6557]

Quite romantically played,clear and stable chords,absolutely defined tempo but there is something missing that Igor Oistrakh had profoundly..!..the sparkling fire!!!.Nevertheless it IS a worth to mention interpretation!!

[@riccardopini9956]

VIOLINISTA ETERNO, EGLI ,MOLTO SEMPLICEMENTE, NON PUO' TRAMONTARE...

[@themusicdr]

is there a better piece of violin music - not as far as im concerned. is there a better violinist to play this............. now theres a debate. fantastic version of intro and rondo

[@merrihew]

My second favorite version of this piece (after Campoli's). Francescatti was one of the few violinists who could do justice to Kreisler's compositions.

[@musicfirst5020]

Good call on Campoli, one of my father's favorite violinists playing this.

[@petrof4056]

@DualThunder lol, actually, he used to play with his elbow up but he still have his left shoulder

[@arribachrach2966]

I suspect that Francescatti was past his physical prime., musically it is fine. The most convincing performance of this music is by Stern and the Philadelphia in a commericial recording. Actually more musically satisfying for me and certainly cleaner. Suggest you listen and let us know after. AB

[@raoultak]

Sounds like a soprano, which is what the violin purely must be?

[@DualThunder]

the photo is very telling. is it just for the purpose of the photograph, or did he not play with a shoulder rest?

[@oliviertanguy105]

No shoulder rest, definitly

[@jbguadaplayer]

On the question of shoulder-rest or not: I have seen a video revealing quite a large pad of foam rubber underneath his jacket (like Stern's). So are you playing with or without a shoulder-rest when you conceal it? Is it a "sound-muffler" or is'nt it? A never-ending debate ... I would not say he sounds muffled! But of course his violin has something to do with it, too.

[@user-op6vy3gg2b]

Why is his intonation sounds sharp? Does anyone else feel the same?

[@martinszemberg-goldgraber8772]

김영근 yes

[@wehwalte]

I have often the same impression with him, i think it was a choice of colour and i love it, his tone and his sound are so sunny, so beautifully extroverted, without mannerism but with loads of musicality. Simplicity humbleness and brilliance

[@user-op6vy3gg2b]

@@wehwalte I see. Well analyzed. I agree with you.

[@alainmorel5318]

Fantaisie, nonchalance et sens de la mesure : c'est français.

[@rapter9800]

@wtfpwndzor what about heifetz?

[@rapter9800]

@rapter9800 I'm stupid, ignore that last comment

[@penelopewhite5994]

Jascha WHO?

[@user-bh3wi6tc9c]

Disaster ...

[@filippopassarella7804]

Why a disaster?

[@wehwalte]

If it's a disaster, it's a beautiful one

[@marcvilleneuve1889]

The disaster is the vast majority of young players nowadays, playing all alike, same kind of sound, no individuality, no personality, no education clones in fact.