Every generation there is a new high-water mark in virtuoso violin playing set by a recording artist. Heifetz, Julian Sitkovetsky, Michael Rabin, Gidon Kremer and others each took it upon themselves to create cutting-edge recorded documents that revealed the advances in technique they had achieved, and here is the equivalent CD of our time.

James Ehnes takes virtuosity to a new level in Homage, playing on 12 different priceless instruments from David Fulton’s collection – quite likely the greatest private collection in history. All up it includes six Strads, two Del Gesu Guarneris (including Menuhin’s Lord Wilton), as well as a Pietro Guarneri, and violas by Gasparo da Salo, Andrea Guarneri and Guadagnini. Aware of the history-making opportunity afforded to him by having access to these instruments, Ehnes has risen to make a classic violin recording.

Matching the cleanness of Heifetz, but with a richer sound and a more varied tonal palette than all of the above, and with an astounding and instinctive melodic gift that only Kremer could rival, Ehnes has staked out a unique place in the violin-playing firmament. If people think that this may be a result of the wonders of...