Violinist and mentor create artistic dialogue on stage

The NCPA May Festival 2026 is presenting a grand celebration of chamber music in Beijing until May 24.

One of the festival's standout highlights is the collaboration between celebrated violinist Ning Feng and his mentor, German violinist Antje Weithaas. The teacher-student duo performed alongside the Italian chamber ensemble I Musici, one of the most active chamber groups worldwide, on May 14, captivating audiences with their nuanced interplay and shared musical vision.

They performed music pieces including Vivaldi's Concerto for 2 Violins in A Minor, Op 3 No 8, RV 522 from L'Estro Armonico, and Bach's Concerto for 2 Violins in D Minor, BWV 1043.

The collaboration continues on May 15 when Ning and Weithaas join the China NCPA Orchestra under music director Lyu Jia to perform Mozart's Symphony Concertante in E-flat Major. In a bold twist, Ning will take on the viola part, bridging the traditional boundaries between violin and viola and showcasing his versatility as a performer.

The performance is hailed as a rare example of cross-generational mentorship brought vividly to life on stage, with Weithaas and Ning demonstrating how artistic dialogue between teacher and student can inspire both technical mastery and expressive depth.