|
Born: August 9, 1902 - Marseilles, France
Died: September 17, 1991 - La Ciotat, Bouches-du-Rhône, France |
|
The eminent French violinist, Zino (actually: René-Charles), Francescatti, was born to a musical family. Both parents were violinists. He studied with his father, René, a violinist and cellist (who had studied with Camillo Sivori), and with his mother, Erneste, a violinist. who also played the cello, had studied with Camillo Sivori. Zino studied violin from age 3 and was quickly recognized as a child prodigy. He began performing at the age of 5 and made his debut at age 10, playing L.v. Beethoven's Violin Concerto.
After making his Paris debut in 1925, Zino Francescatti toured England in duo recitals with Maurice Ravel in 1926. He soon established himself as virtuso via tours of Europe and South America. In 1927 he went to Paris to teach at the École Normale de Musique; he also conducted the Concerts Poulets. He made his first world tour in 1931. On November 18, 1939, he made his American debut with Sir John Barbirolli and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, playing Paganini's Violin Concerto No. 1. His recording of the concerto is still regarded as one of the best. After the close of World War II in 1945, he pursued an outstanding international career until his retirement in 1976.
Zino Francescatti played all of the great concerti. His performances of Felix Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E minor, Camille Saint-Saëns' Violin Concerto No. 3, Bruch's Violin Concerto No. 1, and others, continue to be fondly remembered and highly regarded. He made many renowned LP's, including a set of the complete L.v. Beethoven violin-piano sonatas with Robert Casadesus, a frequent musical collaborator of his. Among his recordings are Camille Saint-Saëns' famous and popular Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, with Leonard Bernstein conducting the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.
Both in concerts and on disc, Zino Francescatti performed on the celebrated "Hart" Stradivarius of 1727. Upon his retirement in 1976, he sold the instrument and established the Zino Francescatti Foundation, to assist young violinists, in La Ciotat. In 1987 an international violin competition was organized in his honor in Aix-en-Provence. He died in La Ciotat, Bouches-du-Rhône, France, aged 89.
Zino Francescatti was one of the great classical violinists of the 20th century. His playing was marked by a seemingly effortless technique, warmth of expression, and tonal elegance. He was 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. |
