"Sunday afternoon's program at Butler University displayed the Houston pianist in an array of 19th-century pianistic landmarks. The balance of expressive and technical demands captured the attention just ‘on paper,' and as the printed program came to life in performance, it was clear that Golka, 24, was more than capable of putting something personal behind every phrase." - Beethoven, Brahms, Liszt concert review, Butler University, THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR, April 16, 2012
"Displaying a firm, forceful touch on the four-movement work's dynamic passages and a buttery tone on its more reflective moments, the 24-year-old Golka brought the Waco Hall crowd to its feet with his playing and musicianship." - Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2, Waco Symphony Orchestra, WACO TRIBUNE-HERALD, January 14, 2012
"It was obvious throughout that Golka knows this music intimately...a special, probable once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most listeners, exceeding all expectations." - Lubbock Symphony season opener, Complete Beethoven Piano Concerti, THE LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL, September 24, 2011
"Summer music festivals should start with a bang, and the fine young pianist Adam Golka was suitably explosive on Sunday night, launching the third annual Washington International Piano Festival with a combination of brilliant technique and real emotional depth...Golka began to reveal himself and display his most impressive powers in Brahms's Three Intermezzi, Op. 117. These were absolutely stunning performances - luminous, probing, deeply personal and drawn with unerring emotional accuracy." - Recital, Washington International Piano Festival, THE WASHINGTON POST, August 1, 2011
"Golka's finest playing came in the legato poetry of the slow movement, and he received ample support in melodic exchanges with clarinets and solo oboe. The central Prestissimo (very rapid) dazzled in contrast. Golka drew plenty of fireworks from the piano in the finale, yet never sounded forced." - Tchaikovsky Cto 1, West Virginia Symphony, Grant Cooper, The Charleston Gazette, January 28, 2011
"Adam Golka, who despite a towering cold, played with easy grace and flashes of humor belying the true difficulty of the composition." - Ravel Piano Concerto in G Major, Pensacola Symphony, The News Journal, January 10, 2011
"Golka proved himself a fast-developing artist with fresh ideas and purposeful individuality at the Hilbert Circle Theatre Friday night.
And his meeting of minds with conductor Mark Wigglesworth became cumulatively evident." - Beethoven Cto. 1, Indianapolis Symphony, Mark Wigglesworth, The Indianapolis Star, April 15, 2010
"Golka confidently embraced the emotional extremes and managed the stormy ascent of the latter piece's coda heroically." - American Pianists Association concert, The Indianapolis Star, April 2, 2009
"In the solo seat was Texan-born Adam Golka, making a formidable impression in his first UK appearance. He imbued Ravel's flowing writing with a wealth of colour and dynamic range, integrating the solo role with organic sensitivity, whether in response to the dark opening orchestral textures, or as an ecstatic topping to the tumultuous climaxes..." - Ravel Concerto for Left Hand, BBC Scottish Symphony, Donald Runnicles, The Scotsman, February 23, 2009
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Beethoven, Brahms, Liszt concert review, Butler University, THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR (April 16, 2012)
