4 May 2006
A Star is Born
Feng Ning was a star from the beginning. His Mozart made you forget he had piano and not orchestra behind him; his
unaccompanied Bach was a ripple of perfection [His] performance of Brahms' Concerto could have stood proudly in any
concert hall.” [William Dart, NZ Herald, June 2005]
Chinese violinist FENG NING’s spellbinding musicianship compelled his fellow contestants to lead the audience in a
standing ovation before he went on to take first prize in the 2005 Michael Hill International Violin Competition.
His astonishing talents are on display again when he returns to perform Bruch’s gorgeous Scottish Fantasy with the
Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra on Thursday 1 June during the Orchestra’s APN News & Media Premier Series.
In 2005 the Auckland Town Hall was also the setting for Madeleine Pierard’s winning performance in the Lexus Song Quest,
and in her debut with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra during this concert she premieres Ross Harris’s commission,
Symphony No.2 for mezzo-soprano and orchestra. This concert also features another first in the début of exciting new
conductor, Bundit Ungrangsee who leads the orchestra to a finale in the glowering intensity of Tchaikovsky’s Francesca
di Rimini.
The following week, on Monday 5 June in the Concert Chamber, more delights are in store for concertgoers as the Auckland
Philharmonia Orchestra presents FENG NING and leading New Zealand pianist MICHAEL HOUSTOUN in recital, performing some
of the great pieces for violin and piano, including the Schubert Fantasy in C, Faure’s Sonata No.1, Bach’s Sonata No.4
in C minor, and Paganini’s Le Streghe.
Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra APN News & Media Premier Series
Thursday 1 June – 8pm, Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall
APO presents: Feng Ning and Michael Houstoun in Recital
Monday 5 June – 8pm, Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall
BOOKINGS: phone the Ticketek Orchestra Hotline on (09) 307 5139 or visit www.ticketek.co.nz
The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra receives major funding from Creative New Zealand and major grants from Auckland City
and the ASB Charitable Trust.
ENDS