Born in Haifa, Israel, but based in Paris for much of his life, the violinist Ivry Gitlis is a legend among violinists. Born in 1922, Gitlis is one of the most eminent musicians of the 20th century who, even today, occasionally performs and gives lessons. You might call him the György Cziffra of the violin – a man capable of impassioned, spontaneous and delicate playing, whose performances and recordings covered almost all areas of the classical, romantic and contemporary repertoire; a cosmopolitan who cooperated with so many noted musicians –Leonard Bernstein, Martha Argerich, George Szell and Hans Rosbaud, to name only a few.

These two CDs contain several highlights of Gitlis’ recording career – among them the second Bartók concerto, named Recording of the Year in 1972, and Paganini’s second violin concerto, which Gitlis rarely performed.