REVIEWS
Tkaczewski perfectly underlines the emotional opening with highly identified subject, which is smoothly transformed into second delicate theme, the reminiscence of Chopin pieces. Chopin pieces, thanks to smooth treatment of themes, excellent use of tempo rubato and sublime piano, can be such an perfect interpretation. The Great Gate of Kiev, monumentally constructed , without pretension but with excellently equalized dynamics, can be heard more than once.
Muzyka 21
…as soon as he starts playing the opening Rachmaninov Sonata the depth of his musical expressiveness and technical poise becomes clear. … Mendelssohn/Liszt hybrid work, eschews his twirling bow-tie approach in favour of a performance that radiates a thoughtful, elegant sobriety more befitting Mendelssohn or indeed Liszt than Horowitz. His Sonata and Pictures are especially satisfying, compendia of easy phrasing and understated virtuosity. The running time is especially generous, however and audio is first-class. All in all this is a CD that stands out artistically and technically more than it can ever hope to do as just another product in a shop window
Music Web International (Robert Barnett)
"Krystian]...played elegant and tasteful in Bach's Toccata, showing in-depth knowledge of Baroque ornamentation and phrasing. Szymanowski's Mazurkas were exquisitely shaped, showing lovely shadings and contrasts of dynamics... Chopin had fine dynamics of their own; passionate and lush - without over pedaling or pretension. It was in Rachmaninoff Etudes... that [was] Tkaczewski's powerhouse technique. In Rachmaninoff's Sonata he was able to move things along in a way that brought clarity to this piece. He sang melodies through the line rather than dwelling on notes, as some pianists tend to do in this work. Prokofiev's Toccata, op.11 was given an excellent reading as well. He showed devotion and natural affinity for music of his homeland."
Anthony Aibel New York Concert Review Inc.
"After an elegant and exciting performance of Chopin's Andante Spianato et Grand Polonaise brillante, his massive performance of the Rachmaninoff Sonata blew us away. He rewarded an appreciative audience with one encore, a poignant Mazurka by Chopin. In this encore, we heard a unique rubato and rhythmic freedom rarely heard since the days of Ignaz Friedman."
Lyn Bronson, Peninsula Reviews
"..he won the praise by his interpretation of Chopin and Prokofiev." J.Kanski
"...he played very emotionaly Scherzo by Chopin and played well devilishly difficult Toccata by Prokofiev..." A.Wozniakowska
"...It was worth to come and listen to him." M.Petrucco (Milan)
"...He felt great dramatic style in Chopin Ballade and showed great technic." H.Batliner (Wien)
"Ladies and Gentelman.This is a real Talent" J.Popis
"...He is one of the best pianists who played here." W.Iveson (USA)
"...He played very well Mozart Piano Concerto kv 271 and forced by audience for encores, performed beatifully and with a good taste Mozart Sonata and we could have also listened brilliant Chopin Etude in C major op.10 no 1" S.Oledzki (Ruch Muzyczny)