A “glorious interpretation of Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 1” with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Joshua Weilerstein

Seen and Heard International, January 2016

“China born, now Berlin based, violinist Ning Feng entranced the audience with a glorious interpretation of Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 1… Setting the tone for the work the dreamy, rather mysterious mood of the opening was exquisitely performed. Feng created a heavy atmosphere that evoked an icy Russian chill that made me shiver such was the intensity of his compelling playing. The sardonic Scherzo just flashed along swiftly with Fang steadfastly negotiating the wonderful contemporary writing and the mischievous sounding effects. An atmospheric world of mystery and introspection imbued the closing movement, however, the impact of the orchestral climax rather lacked conviction. Throughout Feng generated an electric atmosphere of an intensity that one rarely encounters in this work and his Stradivari (1721) known as the ‘MacMillan’ produced glistening quality of sound to his shimmering line.”