Auckland's favourite violinist plays to his romantic streak

Chinese violinist Feng Ning wears his heart firmly on his sleeve when he performs with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra this August. Ning has always had an unerring instinct for works he can bring to vivid life with his musicianship. For his latest appearance, following his previous sold-out concerts, he has chosen DvoYák’s romantic violin concerto.

 

Popular amongst the top-echelon of world violinists, DvoYák’s violin concerto has elements of Beethoven, Brahms and Mendelssohn, with its own unique Eastern-European flair; a piece perfectly matched to Ning’s virtuosity and lyricism.

 

A former Michael Hill International Violin Competition and Premio Paganini winner, as well as a perennial Auckland favourite, Ning plays the concerto at a concert aptly titled Feng Ning Returns, to be performed at the Auckland Town Hall, 8pm on Thursday 14 August.

 

“Feng Ning’s spellbinding talent continues to dazzle critics and fans throughout the world,” says APO Chief Executive Barbara Glaser. “We are thrilled, as Ning’s international career goes from strength-to-strength, he remains excited about performing for our Auckland audience, with whom he has developed a clear rapport.”

 

Feng Ning Returns will be conducted by international renowned musician, Slovene Marko Letonja, who is back with the orchestra after lauded performances in the 2007 season.

 

The concert, the seventh in the APN News & Media Premier Series, also includes Schubert’s Rosamunde Overture and the eagerly anticipated premiere of New Zealand composer Ross Harris’ Symphony No. 3.

 

A two-time SOUNZ Contemporary Award winner, Harris’ symphonies have been enthusiastically received by audiences. His newest work features the composer’s trademark quirks, including a part for piano accordion and a violin solo for APO concertmaster Dimitri Atanassov.

 

On Monday 18 August, Ning joins another of Auckland’s favourite artists, pianist John Chen, for an encore recital in the Auckland Town Hall Concert Chamber at 6.30pm. The programme includes works by Beethoven, Debussy, DvoYák, Vitali and Wieniawski.

 

Single tickets to Feng Ning Returns ($20-$110) and Feng Ning & John Chen ($55) are available from Ticketek, Ph 09 307 5139, www.ticketek.co.nz.