An outstanding addition to a crowded arena
THE STRAD RECOMMENDS
The Strad Issue: March 2026
Description: An outstanding addition to a crowded arena
Musicians: Ning Feng (violin) Berlin Konzerthausorchester/Antony Hermus
Works: Brahms: Violin Concerto. Goldmark: Violin Concerto no.1
Catalogue number: CHANNEL CLASSICS CCS46225
Great recordings of the Brahms Violin Concerto come along so rarely that you blink and wonder: can it really be so? But several hearings of Ning Feng’s masterly, inspired interpretation have simply confirmed its eminence.
Of course, a concerto is a collaboration. The understanding between soloist and Dutch conductor Antony Hermus is palpable and the Adagio begins with an outstanding oboe solo (uncredited, but an email to the orchestra confirmed my hunch that it was principal oboist Michaela Kuntz).
In the first movement an excellent tutti at a good tempo builds nicely to Ning Feng’s entry and he is authoritative in all the demands Brahms makes on the violinist: his lyrical playing is beautiful and when he has to dig in, his command is total, with sublime double-stopping. The Joachim cadenza itself is full of incident too.
After Kuntz’s wonderful solo, the violinist finds a narrative in the Adagio which he expounds gorgeously, knitting it into an organic whole. The Allegro giocoso, rhythmically secure, sounds just right. Throughout, the woodwind playing is exceptional.
I associate Goldmark’s agreeable but ramshackle concerto with Milstein, who knew how to hold it together. Ning Feng is up there with him, entering sweetly and taking the more peremptory passages in his stride. As in the Brahms, tempos are just right and the solo playing is out of this world, especially in the rapt second theme of the opening movement. He is suitably meditative in the Andante and the finale is rhythmically spot on, with the soloist holding our interest throughout the long cadenza – and impetus maintained to the end. The recording team have done their work well.
TULLY POTTER
No comments yet