Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto. Tartini: Violin Sonata (“The...

Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto. Tartini: Violin Sonata (“The Devil’s Trill”); various encores. Itzhak Perlman, violin; Janet Goodman Guggenheim, piano; Israel Philharmonic, conducted by Zubin Mehta. Angel CDC 54108 2 (compact disc). The novelty and excitement of recording “live in Russia” must be wearing thin; either that or Perlman and Mehta ought to retire the Tchaikovsky concerto for a while (this is Perlman’s fourth recording of it). Yet despite the muted level of electricity, the two still have an intuitive, almost improvisatory rapport going in the opening movement, and despite a few slapdash moments, the finale has sufficient fireworks. Backed by Guggenheim the rest of the way, Perlman views the “Devil’s Trill” Sonata through Romantic eyes and tosses off six encores with his usual warmth, wit and technical razzle-dazzle. The Concerto was taped in Leningrad, while the rest originates from Moscow’s Tchaikovsky Hall.