Acclaim

“…[a] master instrumentalist…able to reveal [his] great technical skills…superlative playing…masterful playing…[he] brought Dvorák’s [Piano Trio in E minor, Op. 90 (‘Dumky’)] to magical life, clearly enjoying the lush melodies, the Bohemian rhythms, the dynamic shifts, and the dizzying shifts from one tempo to another. When the thundering, brilliant conclusion of the final movement came, an enthusiastic standing ovation was clear indication that no one wanted the playing to be finished.” – Classical Voice of North Carolina

“In Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor (K. 466), [Poletaev] played on a Steinway grand and soared…in total it was an interpretation of considerable individuality. The tone was unfailingly gorgeous. His cadenzas were inventive and erudite without putting a foot outside the classical era. And while he took a lot of liberties in the second movement, they functioned not as mere ornament, but as fleeting avatars of a lively imagination.” – The Philadelphia Inquirer

“An expert harpsichordist, [Poletaev] played Bach on the piano as well as any I have heard. The Allemande in the Partita No. 4 in D Major, BWV 828…was an apotheosis of the spiritual dance. This pianist can play with a kind of lightness that makes the piano an old instrument. All that he played was deeply considered. There was nothing there to provide a cheap thrill. His intelligence was luminous.” – Keith Kibler, The Berkshire Eagle

“Ilya gave performances that were absolutely unique in terms of playing Bach…he was terrific…It was some of the best Bach playing on the piano that I have ever heard.” – Christian Steiner, The Berkshire Eagle

“…the first-rate harpsichordist Ilya Poletaev…” – The Berkshire Eagle

“…Mozart’s extended concert aria ‘Ch’io mi scordi di te…Non temer, amato bene’ followed, richly sung by the mezzo-soprano Susan Graham with sparkling contributions from Ilya Poletaev…” – The New York Times

“His fingers flew over the keyboard brilliantly, with passages of unbelievable virtuosity coupled with a passionate and colorful interpretation…” – translation, Sondrio (Italy)

“…the superb Russian pianist Ilya Poletaev…” – translation, Pierangelo Melgara (Italy)

“Orchestra and pianist were superb…Particularly convincing was the performance of the young Ilya Poletaev…Poletaev offered a focused and balanced interpretation of the complex Brahmsian score…The second movement was particularly expressive, beginning with an impetuous and agitated Adagio which surrounded the listeners with a rarified and introspective atmosphere.” – translation, La Provincia (Italy)

“Ilya Poletaev is a very sensitive musician, well-prepared and flexible…” – translation, Culture e Spettacoli, Il Cittadino (Italy)