Ran Dank – Press

“Dank’s playing was fleet and trim, not only in the Presto finale, where those qualities also embrace an appealing athleticism, but also in the alternately delicate and extroverted passages…”

“Dank not only had the chops for the pages of finger-twisting passage work, but knew how to ease into a tune with velvety caresses.”

“…Ran Dank gave a gangbusters performance of [Rzewski’s] hourlong 36 Variations on “The People United Will Never Be Defeated!””

“Dank’s reading stressed power and punch…”

“Dank’s elegant and effortless playing was stunning throughout. His palette of colors and understanding of the music was evident in his ability to alternate quickly between highly contrasting sections. “

“The soloist’s success was based on his complete mastery of the finest details of the score, combined with a technique that allows him to transform those details into sound. He sits still at the keyboard. No superfluous movement interferes with his control over the weight applied to each note. Allied with his capacity to focus attentively on every phrase, Dank’s superb mechanical precision allows him to convey the delicate changes in volume and color that reside only in the human voice.”

“In a work that calls for considerable bravura, the pianist easily tackled blizzards of runs and bombastic octaves. Yet this wasn’t empty virtuosity. Every phrase had shape, and every note was deeply felt.

He played in the romantic style, lingering on melodies and communicating with a singing tone. The second movement was lighter than air. He soared through cascades of virtuosities in the finale, and seemed to be having fun doing it.”

“…Dank delivered a marvelous performance, rich and colorfully articulated. It was clean enough—free of excessive pedal or sentimental chord accumulation—to showcase both Rzewski’s modernity and Chopin’s lyricism. He played with a practiced fire.”

“…Ran Dank made a spectacular Chicago debut at Mandel Hall. The Israeli pianist delivered a powerhouse performance of Frederic Rzewski’s The People United Will Never Be Defeated! that was as dazzling in its pyrotechnics as it was expressive and insightful…Ran Dank’s performance was so remarkable and complete in every way, it’s hard to believe anyone else could have done better.”

“He didn‘t merely perform a rhapsodic program of Beethoven, Chopin and Liszt; he attacked it, displaying confidence, a deep understanding of the repertoire and a relaxed demeanor that helped focus attention on the music and enabled him to play incredibly difficult pieces.“

“Mr. Dank played brilliantly, giving a muscular and virtuosic performance that highlighted the varied sonic palette of the piece, with its Brahmsian sweep, fiendish octaves and serial techniques.“

“… bringing out all manner of subtle effects never heard in the orchestral version. Even the brutality was more brutal, as the sudden sforzandos and dissonances stood out more than they do in the orchestral version.“

“Dank offered a confident and rich performance. The complex, yet flowing lines were interspersed with robust tutti sections, aggressive punctuations giving way to deft, elegant ornaments, earning spontaneous applause from the audience…“

“It was charming to see this couple on the verge of matrimony playing these sweet, wistful and charming waltzes with such sensitivity and taste.“