Josef Woodard, Santa Barbara News-Press

"Mr. Kobrin’s gorgeous, glowing tone ravished the ear . . . the Cliburn may have a great artist on its hands."

Scott Cantrell, The Dallas Morning News

"It was sensitive playing as well as a sparkling virtuoso display. Kobrin clearly has a major career ahead of him."

Peter Bergquist, The Register-Guard (Eugene, OR)

"The emotional range of Kobrin’s Mozart was dramatically matched by his boldly shaped Rachmaninov Paganini variations: darkly muscular one minute, achingly lyrical the next. His solo recital offered further indications of a blazing talent . . . as soon as his fingers started to work; the competition’s bar was suddenly raised."

Geoff Brown, The Times (London)

"Kobrin’s boundlessly imaginative and impeccably proportioned account gives immense satisfaction. No doubt about it, this Gold Medalist is an artistic winner."

Jed Distler, Classics Today

"Kobrin showed plenty of technical razzle-dazzle, but his simple, subtle burrowings into the regions of dreams and regrets was just as impressive."

Charles Ward, Houston Chronicle

". . . memorably personal and stylish . . . awe-inspiringly assured . . ."

Gramophone

"Fresh from his gold-medal win at the prestigious Van Cliburn International Piano Competition this summer, Alexander Kobrin gave a captivating and poetic Washington debut recital Saturday afternoon at the Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater. The 25-year-old pianist commanded the keyboard with such songful purpose that not a single phrase escaped his fingers without expression and thoughtfulness."

Grace Jean, The Washington Post

"Sparkling arpeggios and virtuosic scales were managed supremely by him as were the beautifully lyrical gestures . . . Sensitivity and gracefulness elevated the performance into a special treat for the ears."

Brunhild Schmelting, Recklinghäuser Zeitung

"He commands the big technique, ironclad rhythmic control, sense of color, and innate timing needed to make the utmost narrative and dramatic sense of [Rachmaninoff's] quasi-orchestral textures."

Jed Distler, Classics Today

"Kobrin made every challenge seem almost absurdly easy. Niagaras of legato runs poured out with amazing fluidity, and every note sounded cleanly . . . His tone was a miracle of clarity and firmness, but never hard. When power was required, Kobrin supplied it in plenty without sounding merely loud. Above all, Kobrin was attentive to the lyrical poetry in this music."

Mike Greenberg, San Antonio Express News