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| “Valentina Lisitsa and Alexei Kuznetsoff, a Ukrainian married couple who now live in the United States, were the superb soloists. Unlike so many duo pianists, who appear to expend half their energy in coordination, these seem simply to play as independent artists, yet they yield to no one in unity of spirit and technique. Ms. Lisitsa in particular showed herself a player of genuine soloistic temperament, as she has before in concert and in recordings made by Audiofon” |
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| “Their playing is all the grapevine said it was — miraculous. It is not simply that their ensemble skills are so uncommon; more to the point, these two bright, attractive performers manage to react as one while maintaining a flexibility of phrase and a freedom of gait commanded by few other duo-pianists.” |
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| “When talent of such magnitude bursts into view, the piano world takes instant notice...No wonder pianists every where are agog: I cannot recall when I have heard a more exciting or more accomplished two-piano team. They have the colossal technique and temperament you associate with pianists of the Russian school; they also have virtually flawless ensemble, the kind most duos must labor for years to achieve, if they are ever so fortunate.” |
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| “Most impressive, though, was the team's ensemble: utter perfection of timing and nuance with none of the stuttery entrances that mar so many two-piano performances... WOW!” |
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“Thanks to the Cliburn series, the best two-piano teams in the world have passed through Fort Worth during recent years.
But the duo of Alexei Kuznetsoff and Valentina Lisitsa, who made their Fort Worth debut last night at Ed Landreth Auditorium, is without question the greatest of the current crop, and will probably emerge as the world's favorite two-piano team within the next few seasons.” |
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| “Valentina and Alexei… bowed as soloists with the New World Symphony and gave Poulenc’s Concerto for Two Pianos the most perceptive, sensitive and exciting performance it has been my pleasure to hear.” |
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| “Throughout the program the couple consistently displayed the kind of musicianship, virtuosity and charm that suggest a bright future.” |
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| “It had been far too long since Lisitsa had appeared with husband Alexei Kuznetsoff as a duo team, and their acutely sensuous and sensitive Schubert Fantasy in F minor was deeply moving. It was spacious in conception, subtle in tonal shading, with phrazing that came as naturally as breathing.” |
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