Natalia Williams-Wandoch Pianist
'The programme opened with Debussy's Estampes and one was struck by the subtle pedalling, carefully-voiced layering of lines and, especially at paragraph endings, a rare sense of temporal space. As a first-time listener I was then pleased to be introduced to Szymanowski's Scheherazade, which being placed alongside Debussy's orientalisms came across to the mutual advantage of both composers. Natalia was able to coax varied colours from a relatively unrewarding small grand piano (yet in a sympathetic acoustic), and the filigree textures were executed with great delicacy and musical understanding. The concert culminated in the large-scale challenge of Brahms' Handel Variations. If I am not mistaken, this was Natalia's debut rendering of this masterpiece, and there was much to enjoy. The dual nature of effective Variation form came across well - 25 individualised yet genetically linked portraits that balance the principles of contrast and continuity.
The college was privileged to have enjoyed such a recital, and I shall look forward to hearing Natalia again in the future.
Peter Britton
Director of Music, Hughes Hall
It has been a privilege and delight to have Natalia give several recitals in our series of lunchtime concerts at Emmanuel United Reformed Church. Her quiet unassuming manner is reflected in her sensitive performances yet she has also displayed passion, strength, versatility and a deep understating in her music.
I will follow her career with interest.
Jan Nicholls
Community Development Director
[Natalia] has tremendous strength and resilience. Intensely musical and deeply sensitive, she is a special talent.
Vanessa Latarche
Your programme was superb. It was good to see such a rapt audience enjoying the wide spectrum of music which you played.
Penelope Robson
Proms Organiser, The Fitzwilliam Museum
The quality of the playing showed the greatest facility and command of timbre. [Her] playing had a strong sense of individuality. The outstanding dexterity was coupled to a sense of the music's power. The quicksilver articulation and light, springy rhythms showed impressive imagination.
Timothy Bowers
An impressive performance of this major cycle [Musica ricercata by Ligeti]. The touch is lucid and cultivated and she performs with the utmost concentration. Nos. 1 and 2 were created with a ritualistic sense of mystery and it is clear that she can terrace dynamics with a wide and precise range of response (including fast switches between extremes in No. 8). She was lovely and humorous in Nos. 3 and 6. The playing also posseses notable energy and the finale had a long line and real dignity.
Stephen Savage
I found this a hugely impressive performance, involed and involving. Every strand of melody, harmony and counterpoint was perfectly voiced and controlled, combined with a natural sense of the flow and structure of the music, enhanced by entirely convincing and natural rubato. [The sound was] beautiful, wide-ranging and superbly controlled.
Michael Dussek
Excellently prepared performance. I loved your absolute commitment to Ligeti's demands.
Simon Bainbridge