Reviews
What critics have written about the recordings.
Astor Piazzolla: Music for Guitar
“Yuri Liberzon and his guest partner Piotr Pakhomkin, both superb technicians, make the most of the delightfully dense patterns of the score.”
“enriched by the compelling textures that result from the use of two guitars”
“A must buy for all guitar players.”
“What strikes me most about the recording as a whole is the quality of the playing, the recorded sound, and the scope of the project.”
“They, like the way Yuri juggles the compelling counterpoint and driving rhythms in Piazzolla's music, are finely balanced into a perfect musical experience.”
Konstantin Vassiliev: Guitar Works
“There are some fascinating and innovative percussive effects in the bossa nova-inspired Hommage à Tom Jobim, and some lovely melodic writing in numbers like Cavatina and Rose in the Snow.”
“a recital of works by the Russian-born German composer that merge jazz, Russian folk music and contemporary Western trends in beautifully-crafted and entertaining short pieces”
“Their performance of Obrio is reminiscent of the Assad Duo's performances of music by Piazzolla and Gnattali. I hope to hear more from this duo in the future”
“Yuri's flexible technique makes all of it sound so natural that it is easy to forget you are listening to just one guitar”
“the music is played with the usual high musical standard I have come to expect from Yuri”
“delights with clear and expressive playing ranging from sweet flowing melodies to exciting and articulated dances”
3 Violin Sonatas
“Throughout, Liberzon proves to be a sturdy, skilled, and confident navigator through this hour-plus of intricate and emotional music.”
“Kudos, too, to Liberzon's co-producer and engineer, Nahuel Bronzini for such a clear and present recording.”
“It's like magic – the sum is far greater than the parts. ... It may be his best recording yet.”
“The counterpoint is crystalline and phrased beautifully. This does not happen unless it is intentional and that is what is fascinating about Yuri's playing.”
“From the opening lushness of the first track, the adagio from the G Minor Sonata, Yuri sets the stage for the entire recording by slowly and calculatedly pulling the listener into a world rich with introspection and beauty.”
¡Acentuado!
“one gets the sense that there is nothing Yuri cannot do on the guitar. His virtuosity is understated and elegant and despite the way it serves the music, it is noticeably impressive.”
“The Tango Études are not easy pieces, technically and emotionally, but in his hands they sound effortless and precise whether he is driving rhythms forward or sinking into a meditative cantabile.”
“there must be that which the Spaniards call "duende." Call it magic, passion, fire, expressiveness – it is in Spain the term for playing with fire in the belly. Liberzon has that. In spades.”
“it's a solid and satisfying outing that reaffirms Piazzolla's genius as a composer and also Liberzon's skills as an interpreter”
“Liberzon's deep understanding of the style of this music is evident in the second movement, in which one hears the unhurried spaciousness that gets to the quiet heart of Piazzolla, taking the time needed to feel deeply.”
Ascension
“Yuri's playing is just that good-- fresh, spontaneous, original, bold, with a wonderful sense of time that is both strict and playful. A rare combination. It's as if he's thinking out loud.”
“Liberzon has the technical ability to make it all seem easy, and the emotional intensity to not stop there.”
“the music stopped me on my mundane tracks. I sat down to really listen, and I was enchanted.”
“beyond technical dexterity, Liberzon is a resourcefully stylish artist possessing a strong ability to make his instrument change timbre and colors to better serve the music at hand.”
“I have four words for you – this recording is exceptional.”
“Technical brilliance, paired with musical understanding, maturity, subtly and letting the music speak for itself is a powerful thing.”
Also reviewed in Fanfare.
Features & interviews
- Los Altos Town Crier — Alex Barreira2015
- Yale School of Music2015
- Palo Alto Weekly2020
- Planet Hugill — Robert Hugill2021
- Classical Guitar Magazine2015