“The most exceptionally gifted young violinist I have ever encountered.”
–Ruggiero Ricci, Violinist
Read More“The very last notes being delivered with as much edge-of-the-seat importance as the first. This was the real deal.”
–The Australian, 2017
Read More“…a demanding program with excellent fluency and solid collegiality of attack, phrase-shaping and insight.”
–Sydney Morning Herald, 2017
Read More“Deeply rewarding, the recital brimmed with infectious sincerity, wild energy and impressive unity.”
–Limelight Magazine, 2017
Read More“Wu Qian’s playing was full of colour and power – she isn’t afraid to stand out boldly when the music calls for it. I haven’t heard a better performance of this work.”
–Adelaide Now, 2017
Read More“It has all the ‘fire and vivacity, the flow in a word the mastery’ that Ferdinand Hiller described after hearing the premiere in 1840.”
★★★★
–BBC Music Magazine (CD Recording BIS Records: MENDELSSOHN Piano Trios), 2015
Read More“They dispatch the scherzo with great spirit and are particularly compelling in the finale, with a palpable sense of elation at the switch to the major in the closing minutes.”
–Gramophone, 2015
Read More“Secret weapon of the UK based Piano Trio is called Wu Qian. Under the hands of this Chinese pianist the Steinway turns into an X-ray device that displays each and every grain.”
–Volkskrant, 2015
Read More“These are three instrumentalists at the top of their game, who blend well and play with a sense of shared purpose. Tempi, phrasing and dynamics all seem comfortable and right and couldn't be bettered.”
–Music Web International, 2015
Read More“The slow movement is full of long phrases and sweet violin tone, and the finale rounds things off with a fine balance of breadth and playfulness.”
★★★★
–The Guardian, 2015
Read More“The dexterous Sitkovetsky Trio niftily invert Mendelssohn’s two piano trios in this effervescent recording.”
★★★★
–The Independent on Sunday, 2015
Read More“…as I write these concluding words, I am listening to the Sitkovetsky’s playing the scherzo and finale of the first trio, and their thrilling ride is giving me goosebumps.”
–Double Recording of the Month Music Web International, 2015
Read More“The tasteful and elegant drama of the outer movements (of both trios), the elfin dancing Scherzos, the wonderfully rounded Andantes, the whims and fancies, the shimmering, buzzing, uncommonly virtuosic interplay develops its own gravitational pull - and the simultaneous careful treatment of the notes was not about control or "monitoring", but rather added aesthetic value.”
–Klassik Heute, 2015
Read More“This trio is captured in full flight at a Wigmore Hall concert, with scintillating playing with which it is hard to take issue… The players turn in a neat performance of Schubert’s Second Piano Trio, its brilliance streaked by moments of darkness and its formal cohesion contrasted with nicely characterised dances, whether elegant or rustic. There’s no let-up in energy in the finale, which bursts with liveliness. These are fine, crystalline performances of which the audience is audibly – and understandably – appreciative.”
–The Strad (CD Recording Wigmore Live: BRAHMS Piano Trio in C minor Op 101, Schubert Piano Trio in E flat major D929), 2015
Read More“An incredible performance of Brahms C minor piano quartet closed the programme; the instruments kept a perfect balance with all artists notching up the volume at the right moments to bring alive Brahms' oscillating piece.”
–Papiruszportal.hu (Szabo Ildiko), 2015
Read More“Sitkovetsky astonishes with his dazzling playing in the duos.”
–Fanfare (Jerry Dubins), 2015
Read More“Right from the start, Mr Sitkovetsky was inspired. His playing soared above the orchestra with a skill and clarity that was truly beautiful, and his total engagement with the music and the performance shone out. (..) He received a well-deserved standing ovation. I look forward to his next visit.”
–On the Wight (Jonathan Dodd), 2015
Read More“(..) Halvorsen's virtuoso reworking of a Handel Passacaglia (..) was brilliantly played, Sitkovetsky and Rysanov both completly on fire as they imbued this Paganini-esque showpiece with split-second timing, quirky spontaneity, and raw, rustic humour.”
–The Scotsman (Ken Walton), 2015
Read More“Mr. Sitkovetsky and Ms. Qian brought out all of the folksy dance-like rhythms. It is always a good sign when everyone in the audience seems to be tapping their feet or bobbing their head. The back and forth between the instruments was lovely, as was watching their shadows move on the back of the hall. They brought Grieg's colors to life, making every phrase ring. To hear such lush music in a small space was a treat.”
–Scoresby – Oberon's Grove, 2017
Read More“Sitkovetsky was at his best in the faster passages, producing plenty of attack and retaining perfect control and articulation. The harmonics in the cadenza were exceptional, as was the acceleration towards the end of the movement and then the fast, light touch phrases in the finale. … Sitkovetsky treated us to all the grace and spaciousness that I could have wished for.”
–Bachtrack (David Karlin), 2017
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