“Kolesnikov came out and declared what kind of pianist he is: entirely, confidently, eloquently himself… His Bach was boldly argued – the kind of performance that invites disagreement but is defended so persuasively, even detractors can’t help but appreciate it.”

“…unpredictable magic… one of the most extraordinary long term crescendos I’ve ever heard in a piano recital; Kolesnikov’s technique gives him total mastery and control over the extremes of loud and soft, always put to expressive ends.”

“Buoyant, velvety, ravishing: this Russian pianist’s sound is a thing of magic.”

“Kolesnikov’s playing combines great emotional intelligence with understated virtuosity: every shift in sonority and mood speaks volumes in interpretations that are consistently striking… A truly outstanding recital, every second of it.”

“You need a whole new thesaurus of superlatives, as words like “stupendous” and “incredible” fall far short… I’d also call him a magician, a musical merlin whose performances rivalled and maybe eclipsed anything I’ve seen in Perth over the years.”

“…conductor and soloist achieved a persuasive integrity… [Kolesnikov] proceeded to deliver a perfectly calibrated performance, virtuosity always placed at the service of the music.”

“A simply superb recital… with a very healthy queue for returns.”