reviews
…Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Prelude and Fugue in A Minor BWV 889” was admirably served by her subtle playing, rigorously crafting each separate tune up to the fast-paced passages… The masterclass student’s approach to Joseph Haydn’s “Variations in F Minor” was autumnal and multicoloured… At times prudent and thoughtful, then soulfully winged, the melodies built up into an amazingly fluid choregraphy. Delicately woven chromatic ripples ushered in the stormy finale which eased off again into the thoughtfully meditative mood of the beginning… Seamlessly fluid, airy and elegantly choregraphed, a truly compelling performance… Krier’s crystal-clear structuring and her emotional depth turned Claude Debussy’s very picturesque “L’Isle Joyeuse” and the “sonata” by Henri Dutilleux into sheer delight. Her rendering of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Sonata No 26 was atmospheric and intensely personal. The fateful prelude of the Adagio-Allegro was followed by tonal fragments introducing tempestuous phrases…
Michael Stukowski, Bocholter-Borkener Volksblatt 23.11.2006
… Her choice was a rarely performed score, the “Préludes” of 1929… A first performance which did the organizers very proud. Cathy Krier displayed a rare musical and technical confidence, allowing her to convey the imaginative and the expressive drive of the young Messiaen. The contrasts were neatly marked,the flow was steady and translucent and the sombre episodes took on a gripping tragic resonance. The delicacy of her touch energized the “the crimson purple” of “sons impalpables du rêve”, the composer’s favourite piece. This was a stunning performance perfectly attuned to the spirit of the score…
Loll Weber, Luxemburger Wort 11.6.2008
With her debut-album appearing on the Cavi-music label the Luxembourgish pianist Cathy Krier clearly positions herself on the musical map with a programme ranging from the baroque to the modern. Already in the opening sonatas by Scarlatti ( K31 and 124 ) the young artist demonstrates great precision of touch, technical virtuosity and a remarkable musical intelligence. The atmospheric contours are highlighted with gusto, exactitude and originality… The core of the CD is devoted to Chopin… On the contrary one has the impression that this music must have appealed to her early on, as she manages to give a compellingly mature rendering of these works, whose dense atmospheric urgency captivates the listener. In the “Night Music for piano solo” by her countryman Alexander Müllenbach, Krier’s profoundly expressive interpretation is equally convincing. The concluding piece of this CD, the Dutilleux sonata from 1947, is palpably intense.
However, a slightly more energized rendering could have further enhanced her performance… A voice to be reckoned with.
Thomas Gehrig, klassik.com 12.11.2008