"Kuleshov proved a rarity among prizewinners: a virtuoso without mannerisms ... ..He accomplished the feat of playing this most familiar of concertos (Tchaikovsky No. 1) without strain or angst and of placing its dynamic peaks and valleys precisely where the composer indicated. His technique is unassailable, his tone multilayered. Besides going straight to the heart of musical matters with a bracing directness, he produces a pianistic sound one can feel resonate in one's back..... With some members of the audience screaming their approval, an encore seemed appropriate. Kuleshov obliged with the finger-busting unpublished "Carmen Fantasy" by Vladimir Horowitz. After that, the yelling continued."
-Los Angeles Times
“The Mysterious Unrecognized Genius – A New Horowitz: ….Kuleshov — the person of a unique virtuoso gift. He has managed to revive and re-create the world of great virtuosos of the past. A deep penetration into the essence of music, and a most laborious operation over the sound are peculiar to him. His performance of Schumann’s Kreisleriana at the competition was just amazing, and this composition can be mastered only by mature musicians.”
-Soviet Culture newspaper (Moscow)
"Valery Kuleshov ... roared and whispered Liszt's bravura to the heavens, and I doubt whether the Six Paganini Etudes have often been given with such a gloriously spontaneous verve and glitter."
-The Gramophone (UK)
"He has everything: the fingers to negotiate the virtuoso repertory, the musicality and imagination to make the most familiar music sound fresh and compelling."
-New York Times
"I was delighted by your fantastic performances."
-Vladimir Horowitz
"Kuleshov is an aggressively confident performer, a technical wizard at the keyboard, and possesses supreme concentration skills. No doubt Vladimir Horowitz smiled from above and applauded, too."
-The Australian
"What sound! What allure! What a musician!"
-Le Monde (France)
"Valery Kuleshov proceeded to light up the sky, setting off pyrotechnical rockets of sound and showering the audience with sweeps of notes as exciting as they were exceptional. (Liszt's Six Paganini Etudes)"
-The Dallas Morning News
"He opened up for the listener a fantastic world of inspiration with miracles of playing ... We are certain that Valery Kuleshov is destined to attain a mastery beyond the borders of our imagination."
-Alto Adiger (Italy)
"Brilliantly played....Flinging strips of coruscating and gyrating technique in all directions about the hall. There were torrents and cascades of notes... it was all spectacularly well done."
-The Age (Australia)
"Kuleshov's performance will long be remembered by the audience as singularly remarkable. In short, he wowed `em."
-Midland Daily News
"As the complexities multiplied (Norma), Kuleshov seemed totally undaunted. The effect on the audience was electrifying as he continued to stun the crowd ... His La Campanella filled the gallery with torrents of sound... Carmen Fantasy was so spectacular, one expected steam to begin rising from the Steinway piano. This truly was a heroic effort ... by a young artist destined for stardom."
-Flint Journal
“Beethoven’s ‘Choral Fantasy’ is an odd composition, part piano concerto and part orchestral showpiece …Valery Kuleshov, artist-in-residence at the University of Central Oklahoma, again reminded listeners of his considerable keyboard talents. Kuleshov is not an overly demonstrative pianist but he easily conveys his command of the keyboard …The Oklahoma City Philharmonic provided fine support, and the work’s many exchanges between orchestra and soloist were deftly handled.”
- Rick Rogers, The Oklahoman
“It is a rarity that you find recordings now days that exceed your expectations. This is not just another Liszt recording. Kuleshov is bold in his choices; he makes decisions in the music that I think other pianists are afraid to make…. Kuleshov takes on Liszt with the strength of a Gladiator and the heart of a poet. There are elements in several of the Paganini etudes that you've never heard before and attention to details that truly make this CD a must have for your collection.”
~ Amazon customer who purchased Valery Kuleshov’s “Liszt: Sonata in B minor; Paganini Études; Mephisto Waltz” CD
“Kuleshov has a tremendous technique that brings these transcriptions to light. The only recording of Danse Macabre available is the old Horowitz one from the 1940s or 1950s. Kuleshov's recording of it takes advantage of modern-day equipment and his performance of it is spectacular! Also, the less played Liszt-Horowitz Hungarian Rhapsody19 is a breath-taking transcription that Kuleshov devours, completely. Some other little known Horowitz originals appear here as well such as the Waltz in F minor, Danse excentrique, and the Étude-fantasie. The recording production is top of the drawer; clear, clean, and a good sounding piano. Highly recommended!”
~ Amazon customer who purchased Valery Kuleshov’s “Hommage à Horowitz” CD