Francescatti in Bach and Prokofiev, Plus Reups

One of the great 20th century violinists who tends to be overlooked these days is the subject of today's post - the elegant Frenchman Zino Francescatti (1902-81).

It's not clear why Francescatti has been forgotten by some - his skill and artistry were and are unquestioned. I have always suspected it might have something to do with the diminutive he used as a first name: "Zino" in place of his given name, René-Charles. How can you be taken seriously with such a silly name, eh?

Whatever the reason for his eclipse, the present coupling should convince you that he was a transcendent artist. It is a coupling of the second Prokofiev concerto, taped in October 1952 with the New Yorkers under Dimitri Mitropoulos, and Bach's E major concerto, recorded the following January with the Clevelanders and George Szell. (The cover says the latter group is the "Columbia Symphony," but the recording was in Severance Hall with its resident band.)

Francescatti and Mitropoulos listen to a playback

I admit some bias about Francescatti - his recordings introduced me to several of the standard-repertoire concertos when I was young. I plan to transfer some of his other early LPs as time goes by.

Reups

Jane Froman - With a Song in My Heart. Issued in conjunction with the 1952 biopic of the radio singer, with fine singing by Froman herself. This is the only LP among the reups; the items below are from my companion singles blog.

Lauritz Melchior. Two sentimental songs ("Ave Maria" and "The Rosary") by the heldentenor, whom M-G-M was trying to turn into both a movie star and a pop singer. Neither effort took hold.

Patty Andrews. A good 1952 single ("I'll Walk Alone" and "That's the Chance You Take") by the solo voice of the Andrews Sisters.

Ralph Flanagan - Top Pops. The Flanagan big band takes on some hits of the day, circa 1953-54, in this EP.

The Barkleys of Broadway. Transfers and scans from the original 1948 78 set derived from the soundtrack of the last Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers film.

Waltzes by Richard Strauss and Tchaikovsky - Philadelphia/Ormandy. A circa 1954 EP coupling the Rosenkavalier Waltzes with the waltz from the Serenade for Strings. The orchestral playing here is near miraculous. Cover by the quirky Jim Flora.

The links above lead to the original posts. Download links to all items are in the comments. The Froman LP and Ormandy EP have been remastered.