Effortless, elegant melodies warmed by sublime vibrato rise in volume as the phone is whisked toward Frank Peter Zimmermann, one of the greatest violinists of this age, at his home in Germany. They end abruptly, but interrupting Zimmerm- an's rehearsal causes him no irritation, and he dives enthusiastically into the subject of his return to Tokyo with the London Symphony Orchestra and celebrated conductor Daniel Harding.

At Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall on April 17, Zimmermann will tackle Beethoven's "Violin Concerto in D major Op.61," which he recorded with conductor Jeffrey Tate and the English Chamber Orchestra in 1999 (EMI Classics). Badly received when first performed in 1806, its permanent popularity was established 38 years later by violinist Joseph Joachim under the direction of Felix Mendelssohn. Now it is the core of any violinist's repertoire.

"I've performed it about 200 times in my life already," Zimmermann says, with a joyful laugh that shows he does not mind that fact at all. "But it's always very fresh to me every time. As soon as I hear the opening tutti (orchestral passage), I feel that it is an adventure." What kind of adventure? A dive into the deep Mediterranean sea? A ride on the emotional contours of a dramatic romance?