Review: Matteo Fedeli: “A Stradivari for the People” at Reinberger Chamber Hall (April 28)

by Guytano Parks

Cleveland’s Severance Hall was included in the eight-city American tour of the Antonio Stradivari 1726 “Ex Adams Collection” violin played by Matteo Fedeli with pianist Andrea Carcano. Presented by The Consulate of Italy in Detroit commemorating the Year of Italian Culture in the USA 2013, the program of short pieces served well to show off the rich qualities of the coveted instrument. Fedeli is councillor, associate founder and has been first violinist of the Academy String Concert Orchestra of Milan since 1995. Known as “the man of the Stradivarius,” he was a charming and enthusiastic ambassador, providing spoken program notes from Reinberger Chamber Hall’s stage.

Opening with Danse Hongroise by Rachmaninoff, violinist and pianist Carcano at once revealed a close and sensitive collaboration which prevailed throughout the entire evening. Fedeli drew a full-bodied tone from the instrument which was most impressive in its lower register, making the most of contrasts between the rhythmic and the lyrical. Après un Rêve — a dream of romantic elopement with a lover — is one of Fauré’s most famous songs and indeed the violinist became a singer, sensitively phrasing and breathing with subtle nuance and heartfelt emotion.

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