Pianist Diana Fanning +++ Reviews

R E V I E W S :

"Diana Fanning's virtuoso playing was rich in nuances ... the effervescent brilliance and passionate sweetness of her playing was acknowledged by sustained applause." - Munchner Merkur, Munich

"Diana Fanning's ability encompasses not only musical empathy but also strength in structuring rhythmically and sonorously." - Suddeutsche Zeitung, Munich

"Diana Fanning's sound achieved impressionistic iridescent intensity; Ravel's painting of sound received its luminosity and character through her virtuoso playing." - Munchner Merkur, Munich

"This American pianist has an excellent balanced technique and possesses the flexibility and pure feeling which all result in pure and noble musicianship." - Haarlem Dagsblad , The Netherlands

"With her celebrated and unique sound, the artist captivated her listeners, expressing diverse atmospheres and nuances through the beauty of her colorful playing. The audience was captivated by Diana Fanning’s authenticity and especially by her indisputable talent." - Le Progrès, Charlieu, France

"The year's most spectacular solo performance — sublime might be a better word — was pianist Diana Fanning's recital at Middlebury College in October. One of those very few pianists whose performances of large masterpieces actually explain the music, a musical sort storytelling, the Middlebury pianist's performance of Franz Schubert's Sonata No. 20 in A Major, D. 959, showcased Fanning's ability to make sense of a large complex work, missing none of its pianistic flair. She brought the same probity and excitement to works by Ravel, Chopin and Lili Boulanger." - James Lowe, Rutland Herald, January 2023

"Fanning chose music mostly from the 1830s, by Robert Schumann and Frederic Chopin, and crafted a program, played entirely from memory, with numerous interconnections among the works. She provided superb printed program notes, supplemented by spoken ones illustrated with demonstrations at the keyboard.

We hear these works all the time, but rarely, if ever, do we get the insight into their structure that Fanning offered in such an interesting manner. Rare too is the superb rendering that she gave and the enchanting sounds that the Érard piano provided along with its ability, absent from a Steinway, to better differentiate among the movements and highlight their inherent contrasts.

Fanning got it all right. She played expertly, with absolute mastery and seeming ease, in a tightly controlled manner, always physically but gracefully involved. She was always smiling, facial expressions showing her clear love of the music and the sheer pleasure the Érard’s response and sound gave her, which the listeners also clearly shared, as evidenced by the enthusiastic applause." - Boston Musical Intelligencer, October 11, 2011

"Fanning has a gift for Debussy, and the “Estampes” were perfectly magical. They are among my favorites and I own several recordings of them, but I don't believe I have ever heard them so well played or sound so lovely.

Fanning builds programs with variety and interconnections among the works. She gives informed oral commentary about them in a very articulate but not pedantic way, relating engagingly to her listeners. She plays entirely from memory, having absorbed the music so thoroughly that it seems to flow in a relaxed, natural manner from her fingers. Her playing is masterful but sensitive, eminently musical. She enthralled and captivated her audience." - Dr. Marvin Ward, Classical Voice of New England

"The VSO's soloist, Middlebury pianist Diana Fanning, is a refined pianist and musician with a feel for the subtleties of Mozart. While her performance could be called reserved, her sensitive touch made the wonderful melodies sing, and her clarity gave power to the runs and flourishes that punctuated the orchestra's melodies." - The Times Argus, Barre

"At the piano, Diana Fanning combines power with nuance, technique with passion, and intellectualism with emotionalism. The final impression is not how great she is, but how great the music is. The entire recital was captivating." - Post-Star, Glens Falls, NY

"Pianist Diana Fanning delivered a substantial program of lyrical beauty featuring works from Mozart to today. Fanning is a fine pianist with a particularly sensitive touch, which allows her a palette of colors, as well as a wide range of dynamics and rhythm in her interpretation. She used these abilities, coupled with a natural musical sensibility, to deliver this substantial and rewarding program. In Fanning's hands, the Janacek Sonata was dark, striking and powerful — and very beautiful. She delivered Schumann's "Davidsbundlertanze" with sensitivity and grandeur. The performance of the Mozart Fantasy K. 397 was classical yet dramatic." - The Times Argus, Barre

"American pianist Diana Fanning transported her audience into a scenic paradise." - Suddeutsche Zeitung, Munich

"Pianist Diana Fanning opened the program with Mozart's Concerto No.19 in F Major, K.459 in three movements. Never has it been so beautifully played nor the tenderly romantic mood of the composer more perfectly expressed. Fanning's delightful, delicate phrasing, supple grace and warmth of tone made the score the kind of melody that sings in the thoughts. Both the music and the artist were luminous." - The Newport Daily Express, Newport

"Miss Fanning projected interpretations of strength and impact." - The New York Times

"Diana Fanning is a brilliant pianist; a natural born musician." - H.C. Robbins Landon

"The Vermont Symphony concert was highlighted by the brilliant solo work of Diana Fanning. At once driving and lyrical, her interpretation brings to the concerto all the passion which Schumann must have originally intended." - The Eclipse, Burlington

"Pianist Diana Fanning demonstrated from her very first note that she is not only an outstanding pianist but also a first-class collaborative musician with high artistic input.
     Diana Fanning and cellist Dieuwke Davydov offered instrumental virtuosity, noble lyricism, dancing rhythm and especially a lot of Balkan sentiment in the Bartok Rhapsody.Both musicians played the work with flair, emotional power and total understanding.
     The Duo was at its best in the Strauss Sonata, a heaven-storming romantic work. The notoriously difficult piano part was made to look and sound effortless by Diana Fanning. Cellist Dieuwke Davydov gave her all in an intense performance and explored the depths of the sonata. It was a beautiful finish to this musical evening, played to a very full house." -Haarlems Dagblad, 4/2/01, Haarlem, Holland

"Fanning's easy technique is marked by warm lyricism and genuine musicality. Her deep musical understanding embraces a wide spectrum of musical literature from Classical to Contemporary." - Jim Lowe, Barre Times-Argus, Vermont

"Middlebury's Davydov-Fanning Duo is one of our state's treasures. Both are excellent players, but their rapport with each other is particularly successful and natural.
     The Brahms Sonata in F Major is a big passionate work, and this dynamic duo delivered it with plenty of power. Davydov's cello manages to be both light and rich in flavor, as does Fanning's piano. These two performed with drive and a natural expressiveness and musicality.
      The Weber Trio (with flutist Karen Kevra) featured a powerful and rewarding performance. In J.S. Bach's Sonata in D major, Fanning and Davydov played with such easy expressiveness and musicality - including real tenderness - that the performance was quite simply a joy to hear." - Jim Lowe, Barre Times-Argus, Vermont

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