The latest disc from Maxim Vengerov offers some refreshingly “lite” listening. Each selection was arranged for Virtuosi (an ensemble consisting of 11 violins) by its 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 Dvorák’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 Méditation (which also was recorded by Stern and Rostropovich in its orchestral version).
Vengerov continues his well-earned reputation for violin wizardry as he sets off fireworks in the more festive and volatile pieces (Novácek’s Perpetuum Mobile, Monti’s Csárdás), and displays a warm, lush lyricism for the gentler items, such as Rachmaninov’s Vocalise, played as a duo at the start of the program. The live recording was made in Vienna’s Musikvereinsaal, a location that is considerably more reverberant than was probably necessary for such a small ensemble. But given Vengerov’s popularity, a smaller space, however suitable for recording, would not have accommodated so large a crowd. This collection holds appeal for classical specialists and novices alike, and especially for aficionados of fine violin playing.
