Reviews

The Boston Globe
"...Suren Bagratuni was outstanding in the densest and most dramatic music on the program, a Sonata for Solo Cello."

"Cellist Suren Bagratuni once again displayed his mastery of his instrument, which seemed an extension of his body." Richard Dyer

"...A cellist of uncommon attainments...Spot-on, utterly confident technique..."

"How satisfying to come across so fine a cellist who runs counter to the stereotype his instrument is burdened with these days."

"...As Bagratuni and his pianist were communicating it (Shostakovich d minor Cello Sonata), an entire, disturbing, intense was created, as in the very best Shostakovich. This surely will turn out to have been one of 1993's very best performances."

"Even plushier was the Haydn D major Cello Concerto, which proved an unresisting vehicle for some rich, fast, brilliant, soulful playing for soloist Suren Bagratuni, who won the "Tchaikovsky" Competition Silver Medal in 1986 and no wonder."
Richard Buell

Fanfare Magazine
"...Suren Bagratuni is a compelling, highly individual cellist who can make his instrument sing even in difficult 20th-century music."

"...He has the potential to become a cult figure: a vivid musical personality who records only intermittently on small, hard-to-find labels. His traversal of the Bach suites would surely turn heads if it came within range of many ears; it is captivating, occasionally controversial, and always expressive."

"...There's no point recording standard repertoire like this unless you have something personal to say, and Bagratuni certainly does. Now I'd like to hear what he has to say about the rest of the cello repertoire."
James Reel

"...His technical security is evidenced by dead accurate intonation, surgically clean attacks, big, robust, bright yet unforced tone, rapid runs in which each note is clearly heard and perfectly weighted, rhythmic precision, and evenly balanced tone production throughout the entire range of the instrument. This set will proudly share shelf space with the aforementioned versions. It is magnificently played, interpretively noteworthy, and superbly recorded. Highly recommended.
"
Jerry Dubins

BBC Music
"Another rewarding partnership is that of Suren Bagratuni and Ralph Votapek. In their complete Beethoven Cello Sonatas and Variations, Votapek's crisp pianism perfectly complements Bagratuni's clean, generous tone. Their approach is deft to every Beethovenian nuance, all three sets of variations particularly genial. It's easy to make the Op.5 Sonatas overblown, but the duo are united in a quest for clarity... Op.69 is wonderful and the late sonatas conspicuously probing.
Recommended (****)"
Mortimer H. Frank

American Record Guide
""Bagratuni is one of the most satisfying Bach players overall. He has a feeling for voice-leading, a lovely sound, mellow and full, and one of the most effective techniques I have had the pleasure to admire. He never seems to choose a tempo for its technical ease, even in the virtuoso D major Suite, played on the ordinary four-stringed instrument rather than the five-stringed one it was written for. Most important, he appears to be enjoying himself.)"
D. Moore

Strings Magazine
"A phenomenally gifted cellist...Bagratuni is a compelling performer and really makes this music sing."
Sarah Freiberg

The Tech, Boston
"Bagratuni delighted the audience not only with his fine sense of legato and delicate, detailed playing, the subtlety of his coloration in the Adagio was particularly evocative - but with his bubbling sense of wit in the outer movements. He kept the audience's ears on their toes throughout this well-known work (Haydn D major Cello Concerto)."
Jonathan Richmond

The Newport Daily News
"The night's stunning performance was turned in by cellist Suren Bagratuni...Bagratuni showed why he was the 1986 silver medalist in the Tchaikovsky Competition as he played a Tchaikovsky "Nocturne", then danced his way through a Shostakovich "Tarantella". Bagratuni amused as well as dazzled his listeners with Rodion Shchedrin's contemporary 'Kadril'."
R. E. Reimer

Freies Wort (Suhl, Germany)
"Suren Bagratuni's performance (of the Schumann Concerto) was accented by great technical clarity and by extreme sensitivity."
Dr. G. Erber

Hessische Allgemeine
"brilliant and superior playing of Bagratuni..."
Bernd Mullman

El Mercurio (Chile)
"...The Cello Concerto of Dmitri Shostakovich - a composition of great interest in the dialogue between the soloist and the orchestra, with very demanding moments for the Armenian cellist Suren Bagratuni.

His brilliant performance along with a formidable technical display moved the audience with his warm communication."
Daniel Quiroga

The Day, New London (CT)
"Tiptoeing through the fanciful themes with a rich, delicate tone, but never too sweet, Bagratuni engaged the orchestra in a cheerful dialogue...The lighthearted, snappy third movement allowed us a glimpse of Bagratuni's dexterous abilities ... His ability to diminish his sound to the barest whisper and then swell into a startling forte, barely pausing as he catches the next wave of musical conversation from the orchestra, showed an excellent measure of musicianship."
Laure Purcell

The Herald (South Africa)
"Bagratuni's performance of Cello Suite in C Major, No. 3 BMW 1009 converted many an initially hesitant listener to an admirer not only of the soloist's but also of the composer's art. Beautiful phrasing, including careful attention to phrase-ends, brilliance of playing, perfect dynamic control and always excellent timing resulted in a performance that could only be considered yet another model of perfect musical interpretation..."
Rupert Mayr

The Butler Eagle (PA)
"Bagratuni interacts with orchestra and conductor as if he is having a playful chat. With purity of tone, he makes the cello talk, soar, gently growl. This man simply plays like an angel; he has ingenious technique and warmth of soul."
Rosalind MacLennan

Kroonk (Armenia)
"Talent, brilliant technique, somber yet varied rendition, clear and rich sound are distinctive features accounting largely for Bagratuni's interpretation that can be qualified as genuine, mature art."

Evening Yerevan (Armenia)
"The young musician, Suren Bagratuni, captivates the audiences with his exquisite technical mastery and superb musicianship."
Medea Abramian

Musical Life (Moscow, Russia)
"Suren Bagratuni is a cellist of unquestionable talent. His playing reflects an in-depth understanding of varied musical styles and natural artistry."
Daniel Shafran, People's Artist of the USSR

Soviet Art, Armenia
"The young cellist, Suren Bagratuni, is gifted with marvelous technique, excellent bowing, and unfailing intonation."

Evening Yerevan (Armenia)
"The audiences throughout the Soviet Union attend Suren Bagratuni's concerts with great anticipation, not only for his commending mastery of technique and musicianship, but also for his dedication in presenting new and unfamiliar works to the public."

Soviet Culture, Moscow
"During the performance of Dvorak's Cello Concerto, the young cellist Suren Bagratuni, displayed a great mastery of the instrument, refined artistry and committed musicianship."