Marino Formenti – Press
Reviews
Recital at Zipper Concert Hall as part of the Monday Evening Concert Series
Review: Marino Formenti and a startling piano recital to die for
Los Angeles TimesFebruary 13, 2019
“…a startling piano recital to die for”
Recital at Zipper Concert Hall as part of the Monday Evening Concert Series
Marino Formenti Takes Liberties to Find Freedom
San Francisco Classical VoiceFebruary 12, 2019
“It was humbling to have felt moments before that I had heard all the colors in the world from Bach, only to be proved happily wrong.”
NY Phil Biennial at Lincoln Center’s Kaplan Penthouse
Wishing His Listeners Luck, a Pianist Dives In
The New York TimesJune 6, 2014
“A compelling pianist and an increasingly active conductor, Mr. Formenti has gained attention for programs that boldly juxtapose music of different styles and eras.“
Marino Formenti in recital at the Philharmonic Society of Orange County
Music review: Marino Formenti tackles the ‘Diabelli’ Variations
The Los Angeles TimesJanuary 8, 2012
“The performance began with defiance, as Formenti wildly attacked Diabelli’s waltz even before completely sitting down on the piano bench. He embodied old Ludwig laughing like crazy — funny, exaggerated, full of irrepressible spirit. From there, ideas gleefully and preternaturally leapt left and right as the variations became the dances of neurons firing.”
Ligeti Piano Concerto with New York Philharmonic
Marino Formenti performs Ligeti Piano Concerto with New York Philharmonic
Seen and Heard InternationalMarch 12, 2011
“A ‘philosophical pugilist,’ said my friend about pianist Marino Formenti, whose dazzling reading of Ligeti’s Piano Concerto was the highlight the opening of the New York Philharmonic’s Hungarian Echoes at Avery Fisher Hall.”
Marino Formenti with New York Philharmonic
Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Big Sounds of a Small European Nation
The New York TimesMarch 11, 2011
“The Italian-born pianist Marino Formenti, making his Philharmonic debut, was an impressive replacement, capturing the color and character of the music in his brilliant performance, complemented by Mr. Salonen and the Philharmonic.”
Marino Formenti in recital at Wigmore Hall, London
Marino Formenti, Wigmore Hall, review
The TelegraphFebruary 10, 2011
“Surely the most original and brilliantly executed solo recital any of us are likely to see this year.”
Harrison Piano Concerto with Los Angeles Philharmonic
Harrison Piano Concerto with Los Angeles Philharmonic
So I've HeardDecember 6, 2009
“Lou’s Piano Concerto, out of which Marino and Gustavo whaled the daylights at Disney Hall last week, is strange, wonderful, spellbinding and gorgeous…Formenti heads now for San Francisco, to play Messaien’s vast devotional exercise Vingt Régards. Lucky San Francisco.”
Harrison Piano Concerto with Los Angeles Philharmonic
Harrison Piano Concerto with Los Angeles Philharmonic
Los Angeles TimesNovember 29, 2009
“But Saturday magic arrived when the expansive Asian-Californian fusion opening tune found its sweep…the wondrous slow movement took my breath away. Formenti suspended chords in the air like bells in the clouds of lush string sonorities.”
"For Galina Ustvolskaya" at Monday Evening Concerts
Marino Formenti in Monday Evening Concerts
Los Angeles TimesApril 15, 2009
“Marino Formenti, the Italian keyboard phenom, was on hand as pianist and conductor, and he was entirely in his element. That Formenti makes everything he touches, whether new music or old, seem astonishing is well known in Los Angeles, and the hall was full.”
Messiaen‘s "Vingt regards"
Marino Formenti performs Messiaen
The Aspen TimesAugust 9, 2008
“With astonishing technical command of the instrument, he coaxed out sounds of surpassing beauty in the many quiet moments, able to sustain successions of soft chords in ‘Le baiser de l’Enfant-Jesus’ and ‘Regard de silence’ with such delicacy, tenderness and grace that a listener could not help but float along with it effortlessly…This was simply glorious music making.”
Kurtag‘s Ghosts
Marino Formenti performs Kurtag‘s Ghosts
San Francisco ChronicleApril 17, 2007
“What James Joyce did for the novel, Formenti seems intent on doing for the piano recital. The results were unforgettable…He is a unique artist, whose presentations should not be missed.”