A breathtaking and special musician… His sound can sing and saw, dance and attack, shimmering in the piano and glowing in the forte.

Within the space of a beat he can go from whispered sweet lyricism to immense power.

Cellist Ivan Karizna lovingly shaped the unconventional, piano espressivo, solo opening statement.

Open-hearted, intensely expressive, with an excellent rapport with the orchestra — the forty-minute concerto seemed to pass in an instant.

His sound can be big and imposing; it can be sublimely subtle and delicate.

What Karizna brought to the mix was the sense of songster and storyteller combined.

They did more than play these works with precision. They revealed their humanity.

An embodied sound and interpretation… breathing with every phrase and note.

This is a cellist who has an enthralling tale to tell. Audiences will be queuing to listen.

Karizna did not play this composition; he lived it. He merged with his instrument and gave King Solomon a voice.

Beautiful tone, nobility and grace, and completely natural musicality.

Karizna and Elschenbroich, like musical brothers, produced the softest, most meltingly singing tones.

A cellist who seems to exhale music from every pore, with beautifully modelled, singing tones.

He mastered the work’s challenges brilliantly and gave it a deeply moving intensity.

A born musical poet

Karizna immediately impressed with his presence and deep tone; at times, the playing was hypnotic.

Karizna’s Tassini cello retained the musical lead even against the orchestra’s powerful sound.

An intensely emotional performance that gave many in the hall goosebumps — even tears.

An open, intensely singing tone that can whisper silk-soft in pianissimo.

As a musician he is a poet; there is a gentleness in him, supported by a beautiful sound.

A substitute who made the final subscription concert of the season a celebrated finale.

The artists gave expression to the quintet’s poetic beauty, deep introspection, yearning and melancholy.

Portrait of Ivan Karizna, his artistic identity and his Tassini cello.

News feature on Ivan Karizna joining Maestro Arts.

Karizna set the hall on fire with his electrifying performance.

Karizna delivered the work with precision and vitality — pleading and threatening.