Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso • Havanaise • Carmen-Fantasy • Poème • Tzigane

Released in 1987 under the Deutsche Grammophon label, this recording captures Itzhak Perlman in his prime, performing a selection of cornerstone violin works. The album brings together showpieces by Saint-Saëns, Sarasate, Chausson, and Ravel, highlighting the virtuosity required for the romantic and impressionist violin repertoire. Recorded with the New York Philharmonic under the direction of Zubin Mehta, the production reflects the high technical standards associated with the label during the late twentieth century.

The album serves as a definitive showcase of Perlman’s technical prowess and interpretive warmth. By pairing the technical demands of the Havanaise and the Carmen-Fantasy with the atmospheric sensibilities of Ravel’s Tzigane, the collection highlights the intersection of nineteenth-century virtuoso traditions and early twentieth-century coloristic experimentation. It was well-received by critics of the era for its seamless balance between the soloist and the orchestral backing, cementing its place as a staple in the recorded violin discography.