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Noel Lester, Reviews and Press Notices
"Successful perfomance requires a pianist with an adroit technique and a special affinity for this quirky, eccentric style. Lester possess both attributes in full measure. His readings are polished and meticulous, persuading the listener to pay ever closer attention to the wonders lying beneath the surface of these miniature gems...a compelling interpretation of this remarkable repertoire." — Jan Holly, The Gazette (MD)
"Probably the highlight of the event was Lester’s piano rendition of Schubert’s ‘Impromptu in E-flat Major,’ which is very fast and displayed a formidable technique on the part of the player. He was very light with his fingers!” — Kevin Edmonds, The Frederick News Post
"...plays very, very well." — The Baltimore Sun
"...an accomplished soloist ... he played with verve and passion." — The Richmond News Leader
"Haydn’s sonata was well-paced and showed a skillful management of the music’s line of action." — New York Times
"Lester’s playing was sensitive and controlled. There existed almost perfect give and take between the soloist and orchestra and the result was fresh and altogether satisfying." — Johnstown (PA) Tribune-Democrat
"Rare Piano Music with Noel Lester in the Castle"
"The pianist’s rendition was crystal-clear, even the extremely fast-moving passages. But this was in no way hard, cold playing; Lester made ample room for tender sensitivity. Rhythmical and entertaining." — Keiler Nachrichten (Germany)
"Splendid Piano Recital"
"Lester played seamlessly and with great expression, giving the listeners a vivid impression of his great understanding and sympathy for the music. Lester’s fingers flew over the entire keyboard, seemingly drawing sparks in the process." — Brugger Tagblatt (Switzerland)
"Noel Lester’s Gottschalk is a marvel of virtuosity." — Fanfare
"American Romantic"
"The Scarlatti sonatas were pearls of accuracy, the astonishingly short Schubert sonata was restrained and balanced, and the Debussy pieces offered Habañera rhythms and a wonderful élan in the finales. Lester’s playing in the American portion of his program so clearly demonstrated the European roots of this music that the public demanded two further encores." — G. Marstrand, Darmstädter Echo
"Sighs and Banjo Strumming"
"The American pianist Noel Lester began an exuberant afternoon of piano music by demonstrating the connections between the romantic music of the 19th-century American and that of the Old World. Schubert’s A-Major Sonata was presented with much feeling; Debussy’s Estampes emphasized drama and dramaturgie over chiaroscuro. Then Lester took the listener along to the New World, serving up largely unknown American piano literature — here were discoveries indeed! Mr. Lester mastered the difficult passages with the same dry assurance he displayed in his brief explanations of the music." — Rainer Wagner, Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung
"Noel Lester has mined a rich lode of forgotten American literature for piano. He offers it with understanding, sympathy, and affection. Wholly free from condescension, his performances evoke the innocence of an earlier America, otherwise inaccessible to us." — S. Frederick Starr, author of Bamboula! (new Gottschalk biography, Oxford University Press)
"Noel Lester delights the listener through his charm and subtle feel for the chiaroscuro of the music." — Fono Forum (Germany)
"Admirers know what to expect from Lester’s concerts–technical mastery, keen interpretive insight and a well-researched program. But the expert craftsmanship of his pianism is only a small part of his appeal. What draws audiences back again and again to this quietly dignified artist is his ability to communicate the exquisite beauty of music and his boundless love for it." — Jan Holly, The Gazette (MD)
"He delivered a forceful and athletic reading of this music ("Rhapsody in Blue"), slipping easily and casually into a different musical personality with each quirky mood change. His lyrical lines were affecting, and the Lisztian bravura passagework that Gershwin built into this work was sparkling and clear. In the capable hands of Lester, Amato and the Festival Orchestra, Gershwin's masterpiece glittered like gold, and the audience responded with an enthusiastic ovation." — The Gazette (MD)
"Lester is a stylish, witty virtuoso. He shines with bravura technique, offering a brilliant fireworks display of playful nuances." — Landeszeitung/Neidersächsiches Tageblatt (Lüneburg, Germany)
"American pianist delights Schifferstadt with a classical piano concert of the highest class. In the seldom-played C minor sonata, Lester’s impressive virtuosity lit up the prestissimo movement. The two Brahms rhapsodies filled ou the ‘German’ part of the program, their difficult unison runs played with assured mastery. Lester’s interpretation was dramatic, yet assured." — Tagblatt, Schifferstadt (March 1999).
"Lester commands a full palette of technical skills, so that he was able to structure the sonata's three movements carefully, achieving a classical clarity. After a brisk first movement and a sensitive second, filled with assured aragesques, the final movement was breath-taking. Lester played the Brahms masterfully, testing the acoustics of the small hall, but again, without blurring the structure of the music. In the American repertoire, Lester played brilliantly, but always with taste and restraint. After three encores the pianist took leave of an enthusiastically applauding public." — The Darstaedter Echo (March 1999)
"Already at the end of the first half, the piano virtuoso was greeted with long applause for his interpretations of the Beethoven and, especially, for his impressive performance of the two Brahms rhapsodies." — Tagespost, Schifferstadt (March, 1999)
"Lester turns out upbeat and boldly (but not aggressively) outlined performances, offering plenty of technical dazzle (listen to the show-offy by congenial confidence of 'Rufenreddy') and plenty of air, both vertical (textures are squeaky clean) and horizontal (attacks are incisive, with little Romantic legato to clog the sound). The engineering is appropriately immediate and transparent...warmly recommended." — Peter J. Rabinowitz, Fanfare
"...a breathtaking interpretation, played by Lester with the highest virtuosity" — The Tagespost, Schifferstadt, Germany
"Lester played with accuracy and virtuosity. His credo is that music and beauty belong together; he was totally successful in communicating that message to his audience." — The Rheinpfalz (Germany)
"Noel Lester gave perfect interpretations of Beethoven and Chopin. He was rewarded with a great ovation, and thanked his public with two encores." — Schifferstadt Tageblatt
"Forgotten Songs"
"Exquisite! I, too, am a chamber musician. I first purchased this because I wanted to hear others' interpretations of these songs, having read through them once. After I first listened to this CD I sat there simply stunned by the musicianship, the technical brilliance and the heart and soul these musicians gave to this gorgeous music. If I had to give up all CD's but one, this would be the one I kept. As a result I have also been curious to know more about Mr. Loeffler, and purchased Ms. Knight's biography. This CD clearly opened a door and I'm grateful to those involved." —Susanna Branch, Amazon.com
"As a violist with friends who are singers, I am always looking for new repertoire. I was delighted to find these songs by Loeffler! The recording is fantastic- playful and dramatic as the songs call for, with a first-rate ensemble. The interplay between all the members of the group, their musicality, and technique really made me love this music and search for the scores."—Sonya R. Lawson, Amazon.com
"Fine communication, tight dynamic control and excellent flexibility of phrasing." — The Washington Post
"A full spectrum of tenderness, pathos and a blaze of bravura playing." — Annapolis Evening Capital
"Musicality and tenderness flow from both of you in interpretations ... the ideal interpreters of those little works of mine." — Carlos Gustavino
"This recording is, both from the quality of its sound and the musicality of its interpretation, one of the best versions within my memory." — Norman Dello Joio
"Attractive collection ... chastely rapturous ... sweetly refined. All in all, a refreshing diversion. Recommended warmly." — Fanfare
"Lester and Roldán are admirable, playing with enthusiasm, excellent technique, and unity — and a feeling for the rhythms and colors of the music. Thoroughly enjoyable."— American Record Guide
"Having been piano partners for many years, Roldán and Lester have evolved into an impressive pianistic force. They happy result of their intimate expressive connection are exquisitely shaped phrases and infinitely subtle tonal hues. They move together so seamlessly that their individual expressive impulses are indistinguishable, one from the other." — Jan Holly, The Gazette (MD)
"A gemutlich feeling permeated a recent recital by the Roldan-Lester Duo, and the fact that they have performed and recorded together for 30 years was certainly a contributing factor! It comes as no surprise, with such multifaceted backgrounds, that these performers showed flexibility, balance and seasoned musicianship. All in all, it was a full and rewarding evening, and an appreciative audience received an encore ... Here's to 30 more years!" —Rorianne Schrade, New York Concert Review (Spring 2008)