Celebrate the 80th birthday of the legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman with "The Essential Itzhak Perlman," a comprehensive collection of his finest recordings, released on September 2, 2025, by Warner Classics. This remarkable 5-disc set spans a staggering 4 hours and 46 minutes, showcasing Perlman's unparalleled virtuosity and musical depth across a diverse range of classical masterpieces.
The album features a stunning array of compositions from some of the most celebrated composers in history, including Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi, and many more. Perlman's interpretations of these works are nothing short of breathtaking, demonstrating his extraordinary technical skill and profound artistic sensitivity. From the intricate caprices of Paganini to the lyrical elegance of Mendelssohn, Perlman's playing is imbued with a rare combination of passion, precision, and poetic expression.
Highlights of the collection include Perlman's iconic performances of Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D Major, with cadenzas by Fritz Kreisler, and Bach's Violin Concerto in A Minor, showcasing his ability to bring out the deepest emotional resonances of these timeless works. The album also features Perlman's renditions of Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons," a testament to his mastery of both technical brilliance and expressive nuance.
In addition to these well-known works, the collection offers a wealth of lesser-known gems, such as Bruch's Scottish Fantasy and Sarasate's Zigeunerweisen, demonstrating Perlman's versatility and his ability to breathe new life into a wide range of musical styles. The album also includes Perlman's own compositions, such as his arrangement of Kreisler's "Schön Rosmarin" and his performance of his own "Passacaglia" based on Handel's keyboard suite.
"The Essential Itzhak Perlman" is not just a celebration of one of the greatest violinists of our time, but also a testament to the enduring power of classical music. Whether you are a longtime fan of Perlman's or a newcomer to the world of classical music, this collection offers a rich and rewarding listening experience that is sure to inspire and delight. With its meticulous remastering and comprehensive tracklist, this album is a fitting tribute to a true master of the violin.
Kreisler: 3 Old Viennese Dances: No. 3, Schön RosmarinFritz Kreisler, Itzhak Perlman, Samuel Sanders
Paganini: 24 Caprices, Op. 1: No. 1 in E MajorNiccolò Paganini, Itzhak Perlman
Paganini: 24 Caprices, Op. 1: No. 2 in B MinorNiccolò Paganini, Itzhak Perlman
Paganini: 24 Caprices, Op. 1: No. 3 in E MinorNiccolò Paganini, Itzhak Perlman
Paganini: 24 Caprices, Op. 1: No. 24 in A MinorNiccolò Paganini, Itzhak Perlman
Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61: I. Allegro ma non troppo (Cadenza by Kreisler)Ludwig van Beethoven, Carlo Maria Giulini, Itzhak Perlman, Philharmonia Orchestra
Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61: II. Larghetto (Cadenza by Kreisler)Ludwig van Beethoven, Carlo Maria Giulini, Itzhak Perlman, Philharmonia Orchestra
Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61: III. Rondo. Allegro (Cadenza by Kreisler)Ludwig van Beethoven, Carlo Maria Giulini, Itzhak Perlman, Philharmonia Orchestra
Bach, JS: Violin Concerto in A Minor, BWV 1041: I. AllegroJohann Sebastian Bach, Itzhak Perlman, Daniel Barenboim, English Chamber Orchestra
Bach, JS: Violin Concerto in A Minor, BWV 1041: II. AndanteJohann Sebastian Bach, Itzhak Perlman, Daniel Barenboim, English Chamber Orchestra
Bach, JS: Violin Concerto in A Minor, BWV 1041: III. Allegro assaiJohann Sebastian Bach, Itzhak Perlman, Daniel Barenboim, English Chamber Orchestra
Vivaldi: The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in F Minor, Op. 8 No. 4, RV 297 "Winter": I. Allegro non moltoAntonio Vivaldi, Itzhak Perlman, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Vivaldi: The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in F Minor, Op. 8 No. 4, RV 297 "Winter": II. LargoAntonio Vivaldi, Itzhak Perlman, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Vivaldi: The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in F Minor, Op. 8 No. 4, RV 297 "Winter": III. AllegroAntonio Vivaldi, Itzhak Perlman, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Mendelssohn: Songs Without Words, Book I, Op. 19b: No. 1 in E Major, MWV U86 (Arr. Heifetz for Violin and Piano)Felix Mendelssohn, Itzhak Perlman, Samuel Sanders
Bruch: Scottish Fantasy, Op. 46: I. (b) Adagio cantabileMax Bruch, Itzhak Perlman, Jesús López-Cobos, New Philharmonia Orchestra
Brahms: Double Concerto for Violin and Cello in A Minor, Op. 102: II. AndanteJohannes Brahms, Itzhak Perlman, Bernard Haitink, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Tchaikovsky: Piano Trio in A Minor, Op. 50: II. (a) Tema. Andante con motoPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Itzhak Perlman, Lynn Harrell, Vladimir Ashkenazy
Tchaikovsky: Piano Trio in A Minor, Op. 50: II. (b) Variation IPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Itzhak Perlman, Lynn Harrell, Vladimir Ashkenazy
Tchaikovsky: Piano Trio in A Minor, Op. 50: II. (c) Variation IIPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Itzhak Perlman, Lynn Harrell, Vladimir Ashkenazy
Tchaikovsky: Piano Trio in A Minor, Op. 50: II. (d) Variation IIIPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Itzhak Perlman, Lynn Harrell, Vladimir Ashkenazy
Tchaikovsky: Piano Trio in A Minor, Op. 50: II. (e) Variation IVPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Itzhak Perlman, Lynn Harrell, Vladimir Ashkenazy
Tchaikovsky: Piano Trio in A Minor, Op. 50: II. (f) Variation VPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Itzhak Perlman, Lynn Harrell, Vladimir Ashkenazy
Tchaikovsky: Piano Trio in A Minor, Op. 50: II. (g) Variation VIPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Itzhak Perlman, Lynn Harrell, Vladimir Ashkenazy
Tchaikovsky: Piano Trio in A Minor, Op. 50: II. (h) Variation VIIPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Itzhak Perlman, Lynn Harrell, Vladimir Ashkenazy
Tchaikovsky: Piano Trio in A Minor, Op. 50: II. (i) Variation VIIIPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Itzhak Perlman, Lynn Harrell, Vladimir Ashkenazy
Tchaikovsky: Piano Trio in A Minor, Op. 50: II. (j) Variation IXPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Itzhak Perlman, Lynn Harrell, Vladimir Ashkenazy
Tchaikovsky: Piano Trio in A Minor, Op. 50: II. (k) Variation XPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Itzhak Perlman, Lynn Harrell, Vladimir Ashkenazy
Tchaikovsky: Piano Trio in A Minor, Op. 50: II. (l) Variation XIPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Itzhak Perlman, Lynn Harrell, Vladimir Ashkenazy
Tchaikovsky: Piano Trio in A Minor, Op. 50: II. (m) Variazioni finale e codaPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Itzhak Perlman, Lynn Harrell, Vladimir Ashkenazy
Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64, MWV O14: I. Allegro molto appassionatoFelix Mendelssohn, Itzhak Perlman, Daniel Barenboim, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64, MWV O14: II. AndanteFelix Mendelssohn, Itzhak Perlman, Daniel Barenboim, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64, MWV O14: III. Allegretto non troppo - Allegro molto vivaceFelix Mendelssohn, Itzhak Perlman, Daniel Barenboim, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 108: II. AdagioJohannes Brahms, Itzhak Perlman, Vladimir Ashkenazy
Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 108: III. Un poco presto, e con sentimentoJohannes Brahms, Itzhak Perlman, Vladimir Ashkenazy
Bach, JS: Partita for Solo Violin No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1004: V. CiacconaJohann Sebastian Bach, Itzhak Perlman
Vivaldi: The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in G Minor, Op. 8 No. 2, RV 315 "Summer": I. Allegro non moltoAntonio Vivaldi, Itzhak Perlman, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Vivaldi: The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in G Minor, Op. 8 No. 2, RV 315 "Summer": II. AdagioAntonio Vivaldi, Itzhak Perlman, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Vivaldi: The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in G Minor, Op. 8 No. 2, RV 315 "Summer": III. PrestoAntonio Vivaldi, Itzhak Perlman, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Sarasate: Zigeunerweisen, Op. 20Pablo de Sarasate, Itzhak Perlman, André Previn, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Vieuxtemps: Violin Concerto No. 5 in A Minor, Op. 37: III. Allegro con fuocoHenri Vieuxtemps, Itzhak Perlman, Daniel Barenboim, Orchestre de Paris
Brahms: 21 Hungarian Dances, WoO 1: No. 1 in G Minor (Arr. Joachim for Violin and PIano)Johannes Brahms, Itzhak Perlman, Vladimir Ashkenazy
Brahms: 21 Hungarian Dances, WoO 1: No. 2 in D Minor (Arr. Joachim for Violin and PIano)Johannes Brahms, Itzhak Perlman, Vladimir Ashkenazy
Kreisler: 3 Old Viennese Dances: No. 2, LiebesleidFritz Kreisler, Itzhak Perlman, Samuel Sanders
Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 9 in A Major, Op. 47 "Kreutzer": I. Adagio sostenuto - PrestoLudwig van Beethoven, Itzhak Perlman, Martha Argerich
Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 9 in A Major, Op. 47 "Kreutzer": II. Andante con variazioniLudwig van Beethoven, Itzhak Perlman, Martha Argerich
Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 9 in A Major, Op. 47 "Kreutzer": III. Finale. PrestoLudwig van Beethoven, Itzhak Perlman, Martha Argerich
Brahms: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 77: I. Allegro non troppo (Cadenza by Joachim) [Remastered 2025]Johannes Brahms, Carlo Maria Giulini, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Itzhak Perlman
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