Press Highlights from LA and Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra Tour

2015 has been a huge year so far with debuts in LA and a European tour with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. Here are the highlights from the press:

Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra

The Times – London

“as the first bars of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto opened – so simple, so mild, so profound – the players visibly relaxed… Perhaps it was the confidence of knowing that their soloist, Ning Feng, had the music so fully under his skin and in his soul that he had begun to shape his performance even before he lifted his bow… Ning’s cool, slippery sound soared like a bird, the triplets beautifully shaped, the double-stopping in the Kreisler cadenzas pure and true, his vibrato lightly applied, just another colour in the palette.”

Der Tagesspiegel – Berlin

“[Ning Feng] spun finely-crafted silvery yarns of sound, without gestural gimmicks, yet particularly determined and defined – with an introspective energy that effectively worked from an outside perspective.”

Seen & Heard International – Zurich

“his technique was flawless and finger-work breath-taking (showed off to particularly exhilarating effect in a sizzling encore on his 1721 “Macmillan” Strad). The cadenza of the Beethoven kept the audience utterly rapt. His mature interpretation of the concerto was conservative, which is not meant as a criticism – it was all beyond reproach. Feng displays no histrionics of any sort. He was most impressive whenever a delicate touch was called for.”

The Public Reviews – Birmingham

“Ning Feng plays the Concerto beautifully. He was the first in the Royal Academy of Music’s history to score 100% in his final recital: and his technique is evident in his playing. He has a crisp tone and plays with such clarity and precision. Seemingly effortlessly his fingers move like a breeze along the fret-board.”

Los Angeles Philharmonic

LA Times

“Ning Feng, a young violinist with a sumptuous tone, was first up with Saint-Saëns’ Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso. He brought rapture. Zhang focused on tight orchestral detail. It was a perfect combination of old school and modernity… [In Tan Dun] The soloists swirled around through it all, each in his own virtuosic world. They blended exceedingly well.” – Mark Swed

Examiner

“Young violinist Ning Feng colored the piece with delicate phrasing, causing it to transport.” – R. D. Foster

Violinist.com

“He played Saint-Saëns with beautiful expression, agility and character. The “Introduction” sounded quite sentimental on the 1721 “MacMillan” Strad that he plays, and the mercurial “Rondo Capriccioso” had great ebb and flow. I’m completely envious of his up-bow staccato and he also tossed off every other mad task in this virtuoso piece with complete ease and musical purpose.” – Laurie Niles