This is the first “Channel of China” disc I have come across, though there are five more in the series. Channel Classics has been committed to the SACD format, and says that they will in the future also. This disc is certainly a testament to their skill in this area, and particularly a violin and piano disc, even if the composer was not the fiery and unpredictable Niccolo Paganini.
Ning Feng is the winner of, among other things, the 2006 Paganini International Violin Competition in Italy. He studied with Hu Kun at the Royal Academy of Music, and was recommended in a master class by Yehudi Menuhin. The music on this disc, some of the most difficult ever written for violin, is not played easily, and even less played with conviction. Feng does both, and with a sort of insouciant arrogance that speaks not only of ability but of empathy with the composer as well. According to the notes, he wishes us to “sing along” and not simply be amazed by the wizardry that Paganini infused into this music, devilish or not. And for the most part he makes his case. While I could have done without a couple of the Italian aria variations, I cannot fault personal choice; and I remain convinced that only a violinist who actually loves this music—aside from just being intimidated by it or finding it challenging—could put across the melodic emphasis with such grace and airiness without focusing so much on the difficulties of the formal technique involved.
So, if you like Paganini, you will be mightily pleased with this. If not, I am sure at least some of this recital will win you over. And at the very least, it serves as a fine welcome to a highly talented newcomer playing on an instrument made in 2005, if you can believe it!
— Steven Ritter
