concert Zino Francescatti plays Mozart and Beethoven Orchestre de la société des concerts du conservatoire, Jerzy Semkov (conductor) - Eugenio Bagnoli (piano)

But it is in Mozart and his Fourth Concerto, with the Société des Concerts du Conservatoire headed by Jerzy Semkov, that he does wonders, filmed in 1967 in Aix en Provence. His "luminous" sound, as Ivry Gitlis says when talking of his fellow musician, seems destined for this crystal pure music.

Much sought-after as a teacher, Francescatti continues to teach for nothing after retiring from concert playing, before founding in 1987 an international competition he finances by selling one of his Stradivariuses, the Hart 1727. With him the students come to draw on a real tradition of French music, nourished by a genuine enjoyment in playing, something Francescatti undoubtedly learnt from Ravel himself during a memorable tour in 1926 that was to seal their friendship.

It was then in the beginning of the thirties that the duo he formed with Robert Casadesus was born. Exceptional heralds of French music, as a duo Francescatti and Casadesus also defend with honour the complete Beethoven Sonatas. The violinist also performs Beethoven's Romances in G Major and F Major with Piano, recorded during the Bordeaux Festival in 1961, not in the company of his loyal companion this time, but with Eugenio Bagnoli on the piano. Then he enchants us with small pieces that crackle under his fingers, Lamento e moto perpetuo by Smazeuilh and La Ronde des lutins by Bazzini.