News
July 2025 – High praise on CLASSIQUE EN PROVENCE about Suzana’s concert on two pianos with Marie Vermeulin at the Musicales de Saint Didier:
“… Outre la performance pianistique, le public a particulièrement apprécié l’interprétation délicate et nuancée des artistes. (…) Claude Debussy et
Maurice Ravel, culminant avec son célèbre Boléro, ont su captiver l’auditoire par leur crescendo hypnotique et leur énergie communicative, suscitant une standing ovation bien méritée.”
[“…In addition to the pianistic achievement, the audience particularly appreciated the artists’ delicate and nuanced interpretations. (…) Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel, culminating in his famous Boléro, captivated the audience with their hypnotic crescendo and infectious energy, prompting a well-deserved standing ovation.”]
Classique en Provence
Suzana Bartal & Marie Vermeulin, pianos, aux Musicales de Saint-Didier (18-07-2025)
June 2025 – Wonderful review on BACHTRACK on Suzana’s concert at Festival Piano
Riom with violist Diyang Mei, soloist of the Berlin Philharmonic:
“C’est le jour de la clôture du festival, marqué par un concert de premier plan : la pianiste Suzana Bartal, directrice artistique, partage la scène avec Diyang Mei, alto solo des Berliner Philharmoniker.
(…) Beethoven pour commencer, avec ses variations sur l’air « Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen » de La Flûte enchantée. (…) Le duo nous offre un moment de lévitation lors de la quatrième variation, le passage du majeur au mineur. Suzana Bartal l’ouvre avec une classe immense, suivie de l’alto de Diyang Mei qui tient la ligne comme une voix qui retient ses larmes (…) Suzana Bartal retrouve la scène seule pour la Sonatine de Ravel (…) On a sous les doigts de Suzana Bartal tout ce que l’on aime dans cette œuvre : de la clarté, de la probité, de l’honnêteté, de la droiture (…) Le « Modéré » a une direction claire, le discours n’est pas noyé dans les textures. Le menuet a du corps, une simplicité d’élocution très à propos. Suzana Bartal opte pour un finale tragique, romantique : superbe !”
[“It’s the closing day of the festival, marked by a leading concert: pianist Suzana Bartal, artistic director, shares the stage with Diyang Mei, principal viola of the Berliner Philharmoniker. (…) Beethoven to begin with, with his variations on the tune “Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen” from The Magic Flute. (…) The duo offers us a moment of levitation during the fourth variation, the passage from major to minor. Suzana Bartal opens it with immense class, followed by the viola of Diyang Mei who holds the line like a voice holding back tears (…) Suzana Bartal returns to the stage alone for Ravel’s Sonatine (…) We have under Suzana Bartal’s fingers everything we love about this work: clarity, probity, honesty, righteousness (…) The “Modéré” has a clear direction, the speech is not drowned in textures. The Menuet has shape, a very appropriate simplicity of expression. Suzana Bartal opts for a tragic, romantic finale: superb!”]
Bachtrack
May 2025 – Another two thrilling collaborations for Suzana with Maestro Marc Minkowski: this month with the Chamber Orchestra Basel (Beethoven Concerto nr. 3) and last March with the Nationaltheater Orchestra Mannheim (Grieg Concerto). Hereby a few memories from one of the concerts at the Rosengarten Mannheim:
March 2025 – Fantastic review on Suzana’s recital in Portugal at the Madeira Classica Festival:
March 2025 – Suzana was very excited to return to the Big Hall of the Philharmonie de Paris for a sold out concert with Maestro Dirk Brossé and the Orchestre de Pasdeloup featuring piano concertos by Michel Legrand and Richard Addinsell:
November 2024 – Very successsful US tour this fall for Suzana, with two recitals in New York CIty and Washington DC, as well as a masterclass at the Levine School of Music in Washington.
Hereby the praiseful recollection of the French-American Piano Society, organizer of these events:
“𝑼𝒏𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝑵𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔
We were truly captivated by 𝑺𝒖𝒛𝒂𝒏𝒂 𝑩𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒍 during her recent performances at the **Consulate of France in New York** on October 14, 2024, and the Embassy of France in Washington, D.C. on October 17, 2024. Her interpretation of Liszt’s Années de Pèlerinage** was pure magic—from the moving Vallée d’Obermann to the powerful Orage—each piece highlighted her incredible artistry and passion.”
[“𝑼𝒏𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝑵𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔
Nous avons été véritablement captivés par 𝑺𝒖𝒛𝒂𝒏𝒂 𝑩𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒍 lors de ses récentes performances au **Consulat de France à New York** le 14 octobre 2024 et à l’Ambassade de France à Washington, D.C. le 17 octobre 2024. Son interprétation de Les Années de Pèlerinage** de Liszt étaient une pure magie – de l’émouvante Vallée d’Obermann au puissant Orage – chaque pièce mettait en valeur son incroyable talent artistique et sa passion.”]
October 2024 – Two great reviews from the magazines DIAPASON and PIANISTE regarding Suzana’s performance of Bartok’s Sonata for 2 pianos and percussion with pianist Marie Vermeulin and percussionists Jean-Claude Gengembre and Jean-Baptiste Leclère from the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France:
« À la Grange Sainte-Geneviève, la Sonate pour deux pianos et percussions de Bartók est brillamment interprétée par les pianistes Suzana Bartal et Marie Vermeulin accompagnées de Jean-Claude Gengembre et Jean-Baptiste Leclère. Souplesse rythmique, relais de timbres, différenciation des plans sonores mettent en œuvre un discours que les musiciens parlent avec évidence, où humour rime avec énergie, où élégance va de pair avec élan. »
[““At the Grange Sainte-Geneviève, Bartók’s Sonata for two pianos and percussion is brilliantly performed by pianists Suzana Bartal and Marie Vermeulin accompanied by Jean-Claude Gengembre and Jean-Baptiste Leclère. Rhythmic flexibility, relay of timbres, differentiation of sound planes implement a discourse that the musicians speak clearly, where humor rhymes with energy, where elegance goes hand in hand with momentum.”]
Diapason
“L’autre immanquable de la journée : la Sonate pour 2 Pianos et Percussions de Bartok. Combien de fois dans une vie a-t-on la chance de l’entendre ? Suzana Bartal, Marie Vermeulin, Jean-Claude Gengembre et Jean-Baptiste Leclère joignent leurs forces pour nous offrir ce monument ! Le travail des interprètes est admirable, par ce rythme constant, ce travail sur les textures : un grand Bartok n’est pas percussif et raide, il y a du chant, du rebond, du charme et de la finesse.”
[“The other unmissable of the day: Bartok’s Sonata for 2 Pianos and Percussion. How many times in a lifetime do we have the chance to hear it? Suzana Bartal, Marie Vermeulin, Jean-Claude Gengembre and Jean- Baptiste Leclère join forces to offer us this monument The work of the performers is admirable, through this constant rhythm, this work on textures: there is no such thing as a great Bartok! percussive and stiff, there is singing, bounce, charm and finesse.”]
Pianiste
June 2024 – The prestigious British magazine GRAMOPHONE lists Suzana’s recording of “Venezia e Napoli” by Liszt among the best of all times :
April 2024 – Very excited to return to China for a performance of Bartok’s 3rd Concerto with the Sichuan Symphony and Darrell Ang in Chengdu!
January 2024 –High praise for our album “Exploration” on RTE radio Ireland:
December 2023 – Great press returns for our CD “Exploration” with Noémi Györi (Hungaroton):
Interlude, Hong Kong
https://interlude.hk/exploring-the-playful-act-with-flutist-noemi-gyori-and-pianist-suzana-bartal/
France Musique
November 2023 – Very excited to be performing for the first time in the gorgeous La Seine Musicale, playing Liszt Concerto nr. 1 with the Orchestra of the Saarländisches Staatstheater and Sébastien Rouland
September 2023 – JUST RELEASED – Our duo CD “Exploration” with flutist Noémi Györi was just released on Hungaroton. It includes works by Schubert, Blahetka, Beethoven and Borne:
August 2023 – Wonderful reviews from summer music festivals abroad:
Murten Classics Festival (Switzerland):
“The work performed by the Franco-Hungarian pianist was the highlight of the evening. (…) The soloist, who has performed in the most beautiful concert halls in Paris, London and New York, shone from the first bar with a gentle sound and a very precise playing. Her richness of color was also striking, especially in the Andante con moto and in the cadenza of the third movement. In the rondo of the third movement, the dialogue between the soloist and the orchestra emanated a great deal of energy.”
[“Das von der französisch-ungarischen Pianistin interpretierte Werk war der Höhepunkt des Abends. (…) Die Solistin, die in den schonsten Konzertsälen von Paris, London und New York aufgetreten ist, glänzte vom ersten Takt an mit einem sanften Klng und einem sehr präzisen Spiel. Auffallend war auch ihr Farbenreichtum, insbesondere im Andante con moto und in der Kadenz des dritten Satzes. Im Rondo des dritten Satzes ging vom Dialog zwischen der Solistin und dem Orchester viel Energie aus.”]
Freiburger Nachrichten
Kaposfest Chamber Music Festival (Hungary)
Pszichológus helyett Mozart – A Kaposfest 3. napján jártunk
July 2023 –The live performance from Festival Piano à Riom of Mendelssohn’s Double Concerto with violinist Josef Spacek and Orchestre des Pays de Savoie, conductor Pieter-Jelle de Boer, broadcast on RADIO CLASSIQUE:
June 2023 – World premiere in Bordeaux (Cathedra Concert Series) of “Villa Senar” written by Christian Laube especially for Suzana:
May 2023 – First artistic collaboration with star conductor Marc Minkowski performing the Grieg Concerto in Saarbrücken with the Orchestra of the Saarländischen Staatstheaters
SST 7. Sinfoniekonzert Saarländisches Staatsorchester Leitungt: Marc Minkowski Klavier: Suzana Bartal 21.5.2023 Alte Schmelz, St. Ingbert Edvard Grieg, Konzert für Klavier und Orchester a-Moll op. 16 Anton Bruckner, Sinfonie d-Moll »Nullte« WAB 100
April 2023 – DEBUT at the CONCERTGEBOUW AMSTERDAM – Particularly thrilled to be performing Schoenberg’s “Pierrot Lunaire” with an outstanding group: violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja and the musicians from the Concertgebouw Orchestra – a memorable evening to come!
March 2023 – Take a look at Suzana’s recording session with flutist Noémi Györi for the label Hungaroton in Budapest – release coming up soon!
January 2023 – Fantastic reviews on Suzana’s concerts at the Paris Philharmonie (Beethoven Piano Concerto nr. 3) and with the Norrlandsoperan Symphony Orchestra in Sweden (Clara Schumann Piano Concerto)
Read here the article in French :
L’ « Audace » de l’Orchestre Pasdeloup s’immisce à la Philharmonie de Paris
“Dès les premières notes, Suzana Bartal nous donne à voir toute la finesse de son jeu. (…)
On notera la merveilleuse cadence à la fin du premier mouvement, où les doigts de la pianiste virevoltent sur toute l’envergure du clavier pour le plus grand plaisir des yeux du spectateur ébahi. (…)
Le jeu est sautillant, d’une finesse heureuse et techniquement déconcertante. Après les derniers accords d’un final triomphant, le chef laisse échapper un « bravo » à l’intention de Suzana Bartal ; le salut et les appels se déroulent main dans la main, la complicité musicale entre la concertiste et l’orchestre sautant aux yeux.”
And in Swedish:
December 2022 – The year comes to a spectacular end for our CD “In a Dream” (Erato/Warner Classics) which receives the DIAPASON D’OR OF THE YEAR 2022
November 2022 – Interview on Hungarian Television KTV on the occasion of Suzana’s concert with the Kecskemét Symphony Orchestra:
September 2022 – Great honor to be invited as a jury member of the prestigious Liszt Utrecht Competition
September 2022 – Our album “In a Dream” published on Erato/Warner Classics wins the prestigious DIAPASON D’OR from the magazine Diapason
August 2022 – World premiere of “Quartettsatz” by Eric Tanguy at the Sanary-sur-Mer Festival along with violinist Hélène Collerette, violist Françoise Gnéri and cellist Marwanne Champ
July 2022 – Suzana was invited to play an all female programme (Chaminade, Beach, Auerbach, Esmail) at Royaumont Abbey for the Festival Un Temps Pour Elles with violinist Sarah Nemtanu and Aurélienne Brauner – watch a beautiful video made on this occasion:
June 2022 – Read the recent interview of Suzana on Toute la Culture, about her work as the artistic director of the Piano à Riom Festival:
Suzana Bartal parle du 36e Festival Piano à Riom
May 2022 – OUT NOW!! Chamber music and solo works by Eric Tanguy on a CD published on Erato/Warner Classics! Suzana is joined by wonderful partners on this recording : cellist Edgar Moreau, violist Lise Berthaud, violinist Alexandra Conunova, clarinetist Pierre Génisson and the Quatuor Diotima. Order now !
https://www.warnerclassics.com/fr/release/tanguy-dream
April 2022 – Release of the first single of the upcoming Erato/Warner Classics album !! Listen to Edgar Moreau and Suzana Bartal perform Eric Tanguy’s virtuosic “Spirales” and stay tuned for the complete album release on May 20th
March 2022 – Great review of Suzana’s performance of the 2nd Piano Concerto by Saint-Saëns with the Joensuu Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Eero Lehtimäki
“The Joensuu City Orchestra, together with artistic director Eero Lehtimäki, showed excellent spring condition in “Summer in Paris” concert. Even an excellent level of evening required a third capable party, more specifically pianist Suzana Bartal.
Bartal really shonee playing the surprisingly rarely performed Camille Saint-Saëns Piano Concerto nr. 2.
A brilliant half-hour was heard, in which the soloist – who could be described as reference level – achieved an astonishingly convincing performance in terms of both technique and interpretation.
Bartal’s virtually flawless playing found interesting intensity but also listener-friendly ease. That’s the perfect package.”
March 2021 – Suzana’s Liszt album “Années de pèlerinage” is “CD della settimana” (“CD of the week”) on Rai 3 Radio and being broadcast the whole week
January 2021 – Suzana performs Gabriel Yared’s “Tarentelle” with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France conducted by Dirk Brossé – concert broadcast live on ARTE Concert and France Musique
Video of the full concert available here:
January 2021 – The complete “Années de pèlerinage” album receives “5 stars” from Fono Forum magazine in Germany
Read the full review below:
https://fonoforum.de/rezensionen/rezension/suzana-bartal-liszt-annees-de-pelerinage/back/10849
December 2020 – Six-part broadcast of my complete Liszt “Années de pèlerinage” album on Bartók Rádió Hungary
Very honored that the National Hungarian Radio has presented the entirety of my album over three weekends:
November 2020 – 5 stars from Classical Source UK for the recording of the complete “Années de pèlerinage” by Liszt
“Her Années de pèlerinage isn’t just about splendid technique. It’s about reverie and quest, colour and vocalisation, sound and silence. In best Lisztian manner, she rises to climaxes and prolongs cadences, she develops the sonority and power of her Steinway D from deep recesses. (…) The Third Year, damask-touched, long-lined, is epically penetrating and introspective. A glorious summation … possibly the finest single achievement of the set. (…) In her producer/engineer/editor, Cécile Lenoir, she has the perfect companion.”
Read the full article here:
https://www.classicalsource.com/cd/liszts-years-of-pilgrimage-suzana-bartal-naive/
October 2020 – The recording of the complete “Années de pèlerinage” (Naïve) receives recognition from the Liszt Society Budapest
The recording, released in March 2020, received a “Diploma of Honour” for outstanding interpretation of the Lisztian music:
SUZANA BARTAL - Pianist 