Read a review of the Pestova/Meyer performance of MANTRA at Festival Archipel in Geneva, April 2008

Brillant hommage a Stockhausen: Les pianistes Pascal Meyer et Xenia Pestova creent un MANTRA dynamique... les brillantes pianistes...
- Isabelle Trub, Luxemburger Wort, 26 January 2008
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Ausserst sensibel und dennoch deutlich... Das perfekt aufeinander eingespielte Klavierduo... Pascal Meyer und Xenia Pestova an zwei Klavieren und der Toningenieur Jan Panis blieben dem Grosswerk Mantra von 1970 nichts an Sensibilitat, Klarheit, musikalischer Intelligenz, Einfuhlungsvermogen, Deutlichkeit und auch Dezenz schuldig. Das Genie des Komponisten und die Kompetenz der Interpreten griffen ineinander und hoben diesen Abend im voll besetzten Experimentalstudio der Luxemburger Philharmonie in den Rang einer einzigartigen Begegnung mit einer einzigartigen Musik.
- Martin Moller, Triersche Volksfreund, 28 January 2008
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...Indem Xenia Pestova und Pascal Meyer der Seriellen Musik lyrische Momente und Schonheit zugestanden, wurde nicht nur der meditative Charakter hervorragend herausgeschalt, auch der Geist Bachs und sogar Beethovens schwang in dieser Musik mit...
- Alain Steffen, Tageblatt, 28 January 2008
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Xenia's performances with the United Instruments of Lucilin:
Read a review of "Portrait Magnus Lindberg" in Festival Arena Riga, Luxemburger Wort 25 October 2007
Read a review of "Carte Blanche Ichiro Nodaira" in Salzburg, Pizzicato September 2007


Aerienne et dotee d'un toucher d'une exceptionnelle finesse, Xenia Pestova a regale le public de la salle de l'Institut d'un recital memorable... une liberte d'expression exceptionnelle... fluide et naturelle... sensibilite personnelle et son toucher d'une tres grande finesse.
- La Republique, France, 7 March 2006
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...a new star in the heavens... colour, depth of tone and every nuance of every delicate shade evident in her playing of music by French masters Messiaen and Ravel... More stunning effects still appeared in Ravel's Mirrors... With stunning left hand arpeggios matched against intensely rhythmic right hand patterns, Pestova coaxed piano sounds and colours never dreamed of by dear old Mozart and Beethoven. It was wonderous playing that had me, and others, wanting to applaud each movement... If you didn't enjoy this playing, go and see your doctor.
- Harry Brown: "Xenia's performance a gift of virtuoso piano-playing" Taranaki Daily News, 5 August 2005
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...a flair for emotive playing underscored by technical virtuosity...
- Music Matters, June-July 2005


This young musician has an exceptional talent. Her aptitude, her pianistic qualities and her musicality are outstanding...
- Louise Bessette, pianist, Montreal 2004


...Xenia Pestova est une jeune pianiste de talent, tres �RUDITE en musique contemporaine...
- Yvonne Loriod-Messiaen, pianist, Paris 2003
Read a personal inscription from Yvonne Loriod-Messiaen, dated July 2002


...de panterachtige pianiste... prachtige timing (the panther-like pianist... superb timing)
- NHD, Amsterdam, 20 January 2003


...high pianistic level, great musical insight and a pronounced interest for uncommon repertoire
- Hakon Austbo, pianist, Amsterdam 2003

With her rare combination of gifts Xenia is a musician for whom I have the greatest respect... A fine balance of intellect and emotion in her playing... Technical command and commitment.
- Philip Mead, London 2001


One of New Zealand's most promising young pianists
- Capital Times, 20-26 September 2000, Wellington


Xenia Pestova charted an engrossing odyssey through Beethoven's opus 111...
- Alan Wells, The New Zealand Listener "Best of 2000" list


...scintillating piano playing...
- John Rimmer, composer, Auckland, August 2000


Xenia has a very strong character and a musical quality of deep perception and understanding. She has a strong affinity for contemporary music and has given some electrifying first performances of many challenging works. Her ability to learn exceptionally quickly difficult solo work for piano, chamber music and accompanying was outstanding and received much deserved praise.
- Judith Clark, pianist, Wellington 2000

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