from the press 

"We musicians sell in fact emotions. Therefore it is vital to know exactly what we are doing and to what end" (Isabelle van Keulen). In his inspiring masterclasses Henk Guittart showed the young Gerhard Quartet how to implement this. For example by having second violin and cello change places so that counterparts are strengthened. An exploration resulting in well-finished, confident performances of Webern's Langsamer Satz, a tasteful Haydn Quartet and Ravel's famous string quartet.

“Israeli supertalent Ishay Shaer's piano recital contained a Partita by Bach, a late Beethoven Sonata and, most strikingly, Debussy's three Images (book 1) and Un Bal, an adaptation by Liszt of part of his Symphony Fantastique. In Images he got to the colourful and rhythmic essence by the full force of his imagination and the use of pedal. He ended by demonstrating his amazing technical mastery in Un Bal.”

“Saturday night offered pure magic and elation. An amalgamation of thoughts, poetic, orgastic, explosive........one is at a loss as to the conclusive word. Wonderful the smooth and sensitive way in which pianist Shaer fitted into the beautiful sound of the Bennewitz Quartet in Brahms's Piano Quintet. And then the unforgettable experience of Mendelsohn's orchestral Octet! A violin concerto starring Jakub Fišer.”

De Stentor - Henk Slik, 6 October 2014