REVIEWS ~
The following are the excerpts from reviews from Mr. Rotman’s 2010 European Tour:
POLAND, 2010
Headline: “Sam Rotman, Extraordinary Pianist”
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“Amazing concert performed by Sam Rotman.”
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A review following a concert Mr. Rotman gave at a renown Rehabilitation Center for Multiple Sclerosis (KOMR) in Dabek,Poland:
“When Sam Rotman played “The Sunken Cathedral” by Debussy, I looked at the crowd and the residents. They had their eyes closed and for those few seconds they weren’t sick people, they instead were on their feet on the shore and were watching what was happening to the cathedral. It was unreal for me to see. It was a big event for the center.”
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“I never thought that the piano would be found in the Artistic Cafe (Cultural Center),for which we now know gives such a beautiful sound. Because of Mr.Rotman, this sound was made possible. He is an extraordinary pianist.”
CZECH REPUBLIC, 2010
“The audience at the concert hall in Liberec could taste an excellent piano concert by the virtuoso Sam Rotman yesterday. There was a huge color scale of tones and the expression was excellent.”
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“It was an excellent musical experience for the attendees and the applause of the audience corresponded to it. It was an amazing concert performed by Sam Rotman.”
The following are excerpts from reviews from Mr. Rotman’s 2008 European Tour:
GERMANY, 2008
“Pianist Sam Rotman shines brilliantly in the Rotunda of the Villa Eugenia.”
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“All of the musical interpretations from the different styles and time periods radiated that impressive certainty which can only come from a very precise knowledge of, and mature intimacy with, each and every piece.”
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“Sam Rotman played with brilliant perfection.”
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“The piano concert given by Sam Rotman was a high class artistic delight. His posture during the performance is also very interesting, because somehow it reminds one of Glenn Gould, one of the greatest pianist of the 20th century. The comparison with this exceptional pianist is also justified with respect to the sublime and majestically beautiful, even graceful playing of Sam Rotman.
The artist was very convincing in his performance, playing the pieces with full expression.
Soft pianissimo movements with exceptionally tender piano key touches were intoned, then interchanged with vigorous, powerful fortissimo playing. The latter was brilliantly displayed by the pianist in a very acrobatic, fast moving, interpretation for example during Chopin’s Polonaises.
We saw him play with the same whirlwind-
Mozart, Scarlatti, Beethoven: Sam Rotman did all of these diverse composers justice, with his virtuosity always submitted to the interpretation of the piece itself. So it was that the audience experienced an auditory scenario from the world of sound. This was a concert experience that will surely be remembered.”
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“He perfectly played the Mozart Sonata No. 11, A-
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“Technical elaborations were not downgraded to be self-
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“Particularly exceptional was Rotman’s performance of Chopin Polonaises, Opus 40, C minor and A major. Especially impressive was the minor key Polonaise, filled with rolling bass notes, cascading explosions of sound, brilliantly placed counter-
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“The pianist performed the Debussy Preludes with the power of his arms as well as with the delicate feelings of his fingertips: never louder than the contents of the required performance.”
SPAIN, 2008
“Mr. Rotman was an unprecedented hit. The throng emotionally cheered for him over and over as he made a show of his exuberant technical virtuosity in works by Mozart, Chopin, Schubert, and Debussy.”
IRELAND, 2008
“Expectations were high for Mr. Rotman by all in attendance, and they were most certainly not disappointed.”
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“The large audience was royally entertained.”
The following are excerpts from reviews in the United States, Europe and Asia:
“The final selection, Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, by Tchaikovsky introduced featured pianist, Sam Rotman, who astonished the audience with his virtuosity at the piano. As his fingers flew across the keys, time stood still. His hands but a blur as they moved over the keyboard, listeners sat forward on their seats as Rotman enthralled them with his remarkable talent to perform such intricate, compelling music.”
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“Mr. Rotman is a pianist of no small talent. He possesses a thoroughly prepared technique. He is a mature and thoughtful interpreter and his playing is convincing and alive. He enjoys his work and is able to communicate his ideas and his enthusiasm to his audience. His playing was profound, expressive, dynamic and exciting.”
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“Mr. Rotman is a top-
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“Mr. Rotman played with sensitivity and originality of musical concept which are rare. He seems able to evoke the composer, rather than himself.”
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“Pianist Sam Rotman gave a magnificent recital in Albert Camus Hall. Throughout the recital he demonstrated not only an exceptional virtuosity but also a beautiful clarity in playing, never letting a theme be drowned in the context.”
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“Mr. Rotman’s interpretation of the Beethoven “Pathetique” Sonata left you with nothing more to wish for as far as getting close to the composer’s dramatic way of gaining his listeners. All of the many details of this music were being expressed. Every piece was played with the same brilliance.”
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“The audience was treated to the musical subtleties of early Beethoven at his best with fine opportunities afforded a performer of Mr. Rotman’s abilities to draw a complete and satisfying sound picture.”
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“The four Rachmaninoff pieces were played in an unusually refined manner. Melodic elements, colors related to the harmonies, beautifully graded and lengthy dynamic changes were all intelligently used, often intensely, by the pianist to give the fresh and living quality to the music.”
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“Much expression, coloring and refinement of dynamics are required to create the desired effect of these (Debussy) Preludes. Rotman’s performance of these is superb.”
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“Mr. Rotman performed a polished and beautifully articulated rendition of three Scarlatti sonatas. He gave a convincingly dramatic performance of the Beethoven Sonata in which he displayed his well-
