Maxim Vengerov - Vengerov & Virtuosi (2001)

Violinist Maxim Vengerov is joined by Virtuosi, an ensemble of 11 violins lead by Mikhail Parhomovksy. 'This is above all a fun record - even more than most collections of violin lollipops a disc for those with a very sweet tooth... Here is a young violinist at the peak of his form enjoying himself from first to last in music undemanding on the ear if not the technique, outrageously showing off in a way that for most will be very endearing. Not that the playing is extrovert all the time... 'Meditationi' from Massenet's Thais conveys a rare depth of feeling, making it more than just a lyrical interlude. With full, open recording, this winning young violinist's many devotees will no doubt have the same response as the enthusiastic Vienna audience. ' - Gramophone'The latest disc from Maxim Vengerov offers some refreshingly 'lite' listening. Each selection was arranged for Virtuosi (an ensemble consisting of 11 violins) by it's leader, Mikhail Parhamovsky. Pianist Vag Papian joins in all the works, creating an interesting hybrid of violin/piano duo and chamber orchestra, an arrangement that works particularly well in Manuel Ponce's hot-blooded Estrellita, Schubert's tranquil Ave Maria, and Khachaturian's rollicking Sabre Dance. Just as effective are Antonio Bazzini's Le Ronde des Lutins, which comes off sounding like one of Schnittke's nervy Concerti Grossi, and a beautifully homespun rendering of Dvorak's Humoresque No. 7. Of special interest is Tchaikovsky's rarely-heard three-movement Souvenir d'un lieu cher. One of the composer's more restrained works, it nonetheless features some beautiful tunes, especially the melancholy Meditation.