REVIEWS
“The bravura aria from Borodin’s “Prince Igor” gave both artists a chance to shine, the baritone’s canny sense of drama matched by Kurdina’s almost savage grace at the keyboard. “Maria, dearest Maria” from Tchaikovsky’s “Mazepa”,was an equally impressive vehicle for the pair, beautifully judged and impeccably ardent.
F.Paul Driscoll, Opera News, April 2003
“Mr Hvorostovsky’s able and supportive collaborator was Yelena Kurdina, who was at her best in the appealingly detailed accompaniments to the five Tchaikovsky songs and an aria from “Mazepa”
Allan Kozinn, The New York Times, January 2003
“All these composers make virtuosic use of the piano. Accompanist Yelena Kurdina met the challenges superbly without overpowering the singer”
Howard Kissel,
Hvorostovsky “was accompanied by the Russian-born pianistYelena Kurdina, who provided stylistically authentic, well-articulated support for his voice”
Verena Dobnik, Associated Press, January 2003
“Hvorostovsky and pianist Yelena Kurdina, whose collaborations were rich and haunting all evening, spent the first half with Tchaikovsky and the second with Rachmaninoff.”
Donald Rosenberg, The Cleveland Plain dealer, December 2002
“Yelena Kurdina, the pianist for Wednesday's recital, is an opera coach and assistant conductor at the Metropolitan Opera, where she and Hvorostovsky met. Kurdina's attentive, well-judged playing allowed the singer to be shown in the best light.”
Elaine Guregian, Beacon Journal, December 2002
“Pianist Yelena Kurdina accompanied singers with a mix of authority and poise”
Philip