Discovering Mendelssohn
Christian Li (violin)
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra/Sir Andrew Davis
rec. 2022
Reviewed as a digital download from a press preview
Decca 4853987 [70]

Grouchy old cynic that I am, I picked up this second release by violin prodigy, 15 year old Christian Li assuming I was about to hear yet another promising youngster promoted too soon way beyond their abilities and level of maturity. But classical music always retains the capability of springing a surprise and this album – or more specifically the performance of the Mendelssohn concerto that lies at its heart – has sprung a surprise of the biggest and best sort. This kid is simply fantastic oozing musicality far beyond his years. Simply put this is one of the finest accounts of one of the most played and recorded concertos in the repertoire. Even more than that, there is nothing flashy or hyped up about Li’s playing.

Two qualities characterise this recording of the concerto:

First, freshness. Presumably, not having been alive long enough to have played it far too often helps but there is a joie de vivre about every note that entranced me. It made me realise just how many performances are phoned in by bored professionals. The first movement in particular which can too often come of a little gruff and glum, sounds in Li’s hands much more akin to the finale than one would normally expect.

Second, tenderness. This aspect of his playing of the concerto genuinely startled me. For a teenager to mine so much confiding lyricism from this score defies all sense. It helps that Li’s phrasing is so effortless with sensational bow work throughout. This is a performance with real depth. A fully realised conception of the work, not just a vehicle upon which to base a marketing campaign.

Having confessed my prejudices about wunderkind fiddlers in approaching this recording, I suppose I ought to add to my shame by confessing a similar scepticism when I saw that the orchestra was the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. A few bars dispelled my doubts. What I hadn’t noticed was that the conductor is my vote for the most underrated conductor of our age, Andrew Davis. Not a little part of the success of this performance of the concerto is down to his steady, deeply musical hand at the tiller. He knows exactly what sort of setting this particular diamond fiddler needs to glitter at his best.

If I had one moan – I generally do alas! – it would be the ridiculous tight miking of the soloist. I would advise against listening on headphones unless you have a fetish for the breath sounds of top notch violinists. The problem is even more pronounced in the lollipops that are included as filler. The Erbarme Dich is the worst offender. The performance of this Bach arrangement is a little old fashioned though beautifully played. Indeed, the rest of the programme left me a little underwhelmed, sounding much more like the conventional fodder offered by a performer being given the razzmatazz treatment by a big label. It is a measure of the quality of the Mendelssohn concerto that I was tempted to award it Recommended status this notwithstanding. Yes, the rest of the programme is very well turned but it is all a bit lacking in substance.

I had higher hopes for the Mozart sonata K304 but the magnetism and charm that radiates from the Mendelssohn concerto seems to have eluded him here. This does sound like a talented teenager taking cautious first steps into the professional world. This sort of recording would mark him one to watch whereas the concerto announces a fully-fledged talent.

But I have no intention of ending this review on a negative note. Besides other listeners may well enjoy the rest of the programme more than I did. Where I think we will all agree is on the quality of the concerto which can only be described as a major recording event.

David McDade

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Contents
Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847)
On Wings of Song from 6 Songs Op.34
with Yinuo Mu (harp)
arr. violin & chamber ensemble, Simon Parkin
Rondo capriccioso Op.14
with Laurence Matheson piano
arr. violin & piano, Abram Yampolsky
Franz Schubert (1797–1828)
Serenade from Schwanengesang D.957
with Laurence Matheson piano
arr. violin & piano, Mischa Elman
Felix Mendelssohn
Spring Song from Songs Without Words Op.62
with James Baillieu (piano)
arr. violin & piano, Emil Kross
Violin Concerto in E minor Op.64
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)
Erbarme dich, mein Gott from St Matthew Passion BWV 244
with David Berlin (cello)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791)
Violin Sonata No.21 in E minor K.304
with James Baillieu (piano)
Felix Mendelssohn
Venetian Gondola Song from Songs Without Words Op.62
with Xuefei Yang (guitar)
arr. violin & guitar, Simon Parkin