Search - Maxim Vengerov :: Violin Works

Incredible

Leo | Ann Arbor, MI | 06/17/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Listening to these recordings, it's impossible to believe that the violinist is only 14 years old... in addition to his staggering technique, Vengerov plays with an intensity and musicality which few (if any) recorded violinists in history have achieved. Perhaps the most amazing aspect of his playing here is that he exceeds his own technical ability, and (at the price of a couple of finessed notes) all but lights his violin on fire. Vinogradova is an ideal accompanist: she has a lot of her own to say, but never distracts from the overall effect. There are a couple of musical duds on the album - whose faults are entirely the composers' and not the performers' - but these are easily forgotten, in view of the rest of disc. In sum: if you ever see this CD at a reasonable price, by all means, buy it - you won't regret it!



A quick overview of the tracks:



1) Schubert's Fantasy in C. Although quite long (it clocks in at over 25 minutes!) this is really wonderful music. After an atmospheric and exciting opening, we experience a lovely surprise in the form of a set of variations on the bittersweet melody from Schubert's song "Sei mir gegrusst". Vengerov and Vinogradova play this music perfectly, at times sprightly, at times tenderly.



2) Tchaikovsky's Valse-Scherzo. This is a work I have never warmed to musically, but which Vengerov brings off with great enthusiasm and beauty of tone.



3) Ernst's Variations on "Last Rose of Summer". This is widely regarded as one of the hardest pieces in the violin repertoire. Technically speaking, this is true - listen to 5:07 into the track, and you'll see what I mean. Musically, however, there's not much here - this track is essentially a showpiece for Vengerov's technique.



4) Ysaye's Sonata No. 3, "Ballade". Although this is definitely a show-piece, there's more than just fireworks here - it's a sort of fin-de-siecle Viennese version of a Bach solo sonata. For my money, this is the best recorded performance of it - the ending is hair-raising.



5) Ravel's "Tzigane". This track is the highlight of the disc for me. Put everything else away, and listen to this with your entire being - this is the real thing. Vengerov invests so completely in this music, it's not clear where the man ends and the violin begins. A historic achievement.



6) Extract from Debussy's "Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun" (adapted by Heifetz). This adaptation was a favorite encore of Heifetz, and it really works well, musically as well as technically. After the Tzigane and Ballade, this is the track I've found myself returning to most often.



7) Themes from Bizet's Carmen (Waxman's adaptation). Really lovely, though in this case (unlike with every other track on this CD!) I can think of competition - Mutter brings a level of sultriness to her vision (of Sarasate's version) which Vengerov doesn't have. Not to say Vengerov's version isn't flirtatious - just not as sexual.



At the time of this review, Berkshire Record Outlet is selling this disc at a ludicrously low price. Buy it!



Leo"