“POEME.” Joshua Bell, violin; Royal Philharmonic Orchestra,...

“POEME.” Joshua Bell, violin; Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Andrew Litton. London 433 519-2. Romantic showpieces have been a recording focus for Bell; he turns here to the French school, as shaped by influential visitors from Spain and Belgium--Pablo de Sarasate and Eugene Ysaye. The young American violinist has the sweet tone and quick vibrato to make the reveries please and the agile bow and fiery spirits to drive the splashier numbers, although there, temperament defers to taste all too often. The only real rarity, however, is an Ysaye Caprice, inventively arranged from a Saint-Saens piano etude. The staples include the title track from Chausson, Saint-Saens’ “Introduction et Rondo Capriccioso,” Massenet’s “Meditation” from “Thais,” Sarasate’s “Zigeunerweisen” and Ravel’s “Tzigane.”