Maxim Vengerov - Phénoménal Vengerov! (2011)

"Phénoménal Vengerov!" proclaims the cover of this budget box set, and for a one-word description that's not bad. Gifted with classic dark Slavic good looks, this Russian (in fact, Siberian) violinist has technique in abundance. In the music collected here, recorded for EMI between his signing in 2000 and an arm injury that temporarily sidelined him in 2006 and somewhat redirected his career, he's not so much a member of the "Russian school." In fact, the only Russian music on the three CDs is a transcription of the Rachmaninov Vocalise. Instead, Vengerov is a steely technical wizard. He plays with a bow that belonged to Jascha Heifetz, and of the great masters Heifetz is the one he most resembles. EMI did well to place him in spectacular repertory of the late 19th century, and the price of the third CD in the set, filled with encore-type pieces, is worth the cost of the whole. The first CD combines Beethoven with Kreisler's Liebesleid and Liebesfreud, and the Beethoven is the only real mainstream repertory item included. The Saint-Saëns Violin Concerto No. 3 is a showcase of French technique, and it and the fearsome Scherzo-tarantelle of Henryk Wieniawski are fine examples of Vengerov's ability to carry a long line through fingerwork speed bumps. A worthwhile collection that will probably fill holes on the shelves of those who enjoy this new Russian star.