Immerse yourself in the timeless elegance of classical music with Itzhak Perlman's "Violin Legend," a meticulously curated collection of 33 iconic pieces that showcase the virtuosity and artistry of one of the most celebrated violinists of our time. Released on February 13, 2025, under the prestigious Warner Classics label, this album spans a generous 3 hours and 20 minutes, offering a rich tapestry of compositions that highlight Perlman's unparalleled mastery of the violin.
From the delicate beauty of Debussy's "Préludes" to the fiery passion of Paganini's "24 Caprices," this album is a testament to Perlman's versatility and technical brilliance. The tracklist is a who's who of classical composers, featuring works by Bach, Vivaldi, Beethoven, Brahms, and many more. Each piece is performed with the precision and emotional depth that have made Itzhak Perlman a legend in the world of classical music.
"Violin Legend" is not just a compilation of songs; it's a journey through the evolution of violin music, from the Baroque elegance of Bach to the Romantic intensity of Tchaikovsky. Perlman's interpretations are both reverent and innovative, offering fresh insights into well-loved classics while paying homage to the rich tradition of violin repertoire.
Whether you're a seasoned classical aficionado or a newcomer to the genre, this album is a treasure trove of musical delights. Itzhak Perlman's playing is a masterclass in technique and expression, making "Violin Legend" an essential addition to any music lover's collection.
Debussy: Préludes, Livre I, CD 125, L. 117: No. 8, La fille aux cheveux de lin (Arr. Hartmann for Violin and Piano)Claude Debussy, Itzhak Perlman, Samuel Sanders
Vivaldi: The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in G Minor, Op. 8 No. 2, RV 315 "Summer": III. PrestoAntonio Vivaldi, Itzhak Perlman, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Bach, JS: Sonata for Solo Violin No. 1 in G Minor, BWV 1001: IV. PrestoJohann Sebastian Bach, Itzhak Perlman
Kreisler: 3 Old Viennese Dances: No. 3, Schön RosmarinFritz Kreisler, Itzhak Perlman, Samuel Sanders
Falla: 7 Canciones populares españolas: No. 1, El paño moruno (Arr. Kochanski for Violin and Piano)Manuel de Falla, Itzhak Perlman, Samuel Sanders
Elgar: Salut d'amour, Op. 12Edward Elgar, Itzhak Perlman, Samuel Sanders
Debussy: Petite suite, CD 71, L. 65: III. Menuet (Arr. Dushkin for Violin and Piano)Claude Debussy, Itzhak Perlman, Samuel Sanders
Gluck: Orfeo ed Euridice, Wq. 30: Dance of the Blessed Spirits (Arr. Kreisler for Violin and Piano)Christoph Willibald Gluck, Itzhak Perlman, Samuel Sanders
Kreisler: 3 Old Viennese Dances: No. 2, LiebesleidFritz Kreisler, Itzhak Perlman, Samuel Sanders
Granados: 12 Danzas españolas: No. 5, Andaluza (Arr. Kreisler for Violin and Piano)Enrique Granados, Itzhak Perlman, Samuel Sanders
Debussy: Petite suite, CD 71, L. 65: I. En bateau (Arr. Choisnel for Violin and Piano)Claude Debussy, Itzhak Perlman, Samuel Sanders
Paganini: 24 Caprices, Op. 1: No. 24 in A MinorNiccolò Paganini, Itzhak Perlman
Sarasate: Spanish Dances, Op. 21: No. 1, Malagueña (Arr. Francescatti for Violin and Piano)Pablo de Sarasate, Itzhak Perlman, Samuel Sanders
Bazzini: Scherzo fantastique, Op. 25 "La ronde des lutins"Antonio Bazzini, Itzhak Perlman, Samuel Sanders
Bach, JS: Concerto for Two Violins in D Minor, BWV 1043: I. VivaceJohann Sebastian Bach, Itzhak Perlman, Pinchas Zukerman, Daniel Barenboim, English Chamber Orchestra
Debussy: La plus que lente, CD 128, L. 121 (Arr. Roques for Violin and Piano)Claude Debussy, Itzhak Perlman, Samuel Sanders
Rachmaninov: 14 Romances, Op. 34: No. 14, Vocalise (Arr. Gutheil for Violin and Piano)Sergei Rachmaninoff, Itzhak Perlman, Samuel Sanders
Beethoven: Triple Concerto in C Major, Op. 56: II. LargoLudwig van Beethoven, Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, Daniel Barenboim, Berliner Philharmoniker
Bach, JS: Violin Sonata No. 4 in C Minor, BWV 1017: II. AllegroJohann Sebastian Bach, Martha Argerich, Itzhak Perlman
Halvorsen: Passacaglia for Violin and Viola (After Handel's Keyboard Suite, HWV 432)Johan Halvorsen, Itzhak Perlman, Pinchas Zukerman
Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 26: III. Finale. Allegro energicoMax Bruch, Itzhak Perlman, Bernard Haitink, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Sibelius: Violin Concerto in D Minor, Op. 47: III. Allegro, ma non tantoJean Sibelius, Itzhak Perlman, André Previn, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
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: III. Allegro giocoso, ma non troppo vivaceJohannes Brahms, Itzhak Perlman, Carlo Maria Giulini, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Sarasate: Zigeunerweisen, Op. 20Pablo de Sarasate, Itzhak Perlman, André Previn, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Brahms: Double Concerto for Violin and Cello in A Minor, Op. 102: III. Vivace non troppoJohannes Brahms, Itzhak Perlman, Mstislav Rostropovich, Bernard Haitink, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 3 in G Major, K. 216: I. AllegroWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Itzhak Perlman, Berliner Philharmoniker
Prokofiev: Violin Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 63: II. Andante assai - AllegrettoSergei Prokofiev, Itzhak Perlman, Gennady Rozhdestvensky, BBC Symphony Orchestra
Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35: III. Finale. Allegro vivacissimo (Live)Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Itzhak Perlman, Zubin Mehta, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61: III. Rondo. AllegroLudwig van Beethoven, Itzhak Perlman, Carlo Maria Giulini, Philharmonia Orchestra
Tartini: Violin Sonata in G Minor "Devil's Trill" (Arr. Kreisler)Giuseppe Tartini, Itzhak Perlman, Samuel Sanders
Bach, JS: Partita for Solo Violin No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1004: V. CiacconaJohann Sebastian Bach, Itzhak Perlman