"Gergiev carries a disproportionate share of the music world on his shoulders. He is something of a national hero in Russia for having kept alive the Mariinsky Theatre after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Under his leadership, the Mariinsky has become one of the most celebrated - and recorded - opera companies in the world." The New Yorker

 

 

"We have all marvel Valery Gergiev at his truly inspirational music-making, which, alongside his totally unbelievable energy, passion for music, and great qualities of friendship and idealism, have forged him a unique place in the world of music." The Guardian

 

 

"... the real stars of this show were Valery Gergiev´ orchestra..." The New York Times

 

 

" Valery Gergiev drew thrillingly vivid playing from his orchestra and set a pace that was leisurely yet sacrificed nothing of the work´s insistent drive." The New York Times

 

 

"... the orchestra often justifiably became the center of attention; Mr. Gergiev led the accomplished players with a sense of breadth and vigor..." The New York Times

 

 

"... artistic director and chief conductor Valery Gergiev drew brilliant and stylish playing from the Kirov Orchestra. Gergiev´s conducting was linear and poetic..." New York Newsday

 

 

"The Kirov is considered Russia´s finest opera company, a reputation which it most assuredly deserves - especially in the hands of artistic director and conductor Valery Gergiev." New York Post

 

 

"... the playing of the Kirov Orchestra was superb throughout..." New York Daily News

 

 

"Gergiev masterfully illuminated the full richness of the instrumental writing. The orchestra sounded spectacular." New York Daily News

 

 

"Conductor Valery Gergiev makes even the less-interesting music seem great and the undeniably great passages stupefying." USA Today

 

 

"... some of the most refined orchestral playing I have ever heard in the opera house. The performance, directed with great elegance and suppleness by conductor Valery Gergiev, was astounding. For the connoisseur of orchestral playing, this was an unforgettable experience." The Glasgow Herald

 

 

"If Russia´s Kirov Orchestra was the house band at Roy Thomson Hall, there´d be little need for

the imminent $20 million renovation´." The Toronto Star

 

 

"And Gergiev and his orchestra found that pagan heart and put in on frightening display, with powerful brass, swirling strings, and ear-splitting percussion, It was the kind of performance one expects to hear once or twice in a lifetime´" The Globe