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The Washington Post
April 8th, 2008
-"Powerful and involved music making...sincerity and flair"
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The Indianapolis Star
January 16th, 2006
-"Kennard demonstrated contrast in his approach to music of various periods, sensitivity in phrasing and dynamics and finesse with expressive playing."
-"In Bach's Partita No.4 in D, Kennard's slightly detached articulation in the 'Overture' set up a fine moment during the subsequent 'Allemande,' which was played with a beautiful sense of legato"
-"Kennard generated excitement of his own, often by using a big, yet tasteful sound, contrasted with subtle nuances."
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Mostly Classic (Japan)
July, 2009
- "His playing, filled with a natural sense of breathing, captures the hearts of Japanese audiences."
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Chopin Magazine (Japan)
June, 2009
- "He received enthusiastic applause from the full house, to whom he gave an exuberant, powerful performance, filled with energy."
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Ongaku no Tomo (Japan)
June, 2009
- "He displayed a spontaneous, bright and healthy musical sense...beautiful phrasing, sharp technique"
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The Post and Courier (Charleston, South Carolina)
February 18th, 2004
"he gave to every score a quite personal marking, an apparently instinctual sense of momentum, both in local phrasing and in the larger connectedness of performance design."
-"Kennard's playing set up expectations for what might come next, making each of his selections seem both fresh and intimately involving."
-"Kennard's 'Chez Petrouchka' was spidery and crystalline, and 'La Semaine grasse' had a processional majesty that seemed, like much of this concert, eloquent and sufficient."
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Semanas Musicales de Frutillar (Chile)
February 5th, 2008
-"Throughout the Brahms Concerto No. 2, Kennard and Chile Symphony Orchestra were perfectly integrated and offered a luminous and joyful interpretation with romantic touches but no exaggerations. The audience gave them a prolonged ovation."
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Desde el Gran Valparaiso, Viña del Mar (Chile)
July 11th, 2008
-"He showed an intense focus in the balance of the sound, exact fingerings throughout the whole piece and the right control of rubato and dynamics."
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El País, Montevideo (Uruguay)
July 4th, 2006
-"A brilliant soloist. Enviable technique, serene, confident."
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Paysandú (Uruguay)
July 20th, 2006
-"He offered a magnificent recital at Florencio Sánchez Theatre. He combines the virtuosity of Liszt and the expressiveness of Chopin, which left the audience fascinated."
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Revista Sinfónica (Uruguay)
August, 2006
-"Notable pianist, solid schooling and style; with the highest artistic level."
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The Post and Courier (Charleston, South Carolina)
April 13th, 2005
-"[Kennard]...displays a rare combination of extraordinary skill and profound appreciation of the music."
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El Mercurio de Valparaíso (Chile)
November 28th, 2007
-"The detailed and elegant interpretation of Chopin's Concerto in F minor Op. 21 delighted the audience who awarded him an enthusiastic ovation."
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Semanas Musicales de Frutillar (Chile)
February 10th, 2008
-"Technically, he is a master; a great display of talent and temperament...An unforgettable concert."
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The Post and Courier (Charleston, South Carolina)
October 20th, 2004
Kennard Plays Chopin How It Was Meant To Be Played
-"Kennard demonstrated an intuitive understanding of Chopin's often-misinterpreted work"
-"This young man played Chopin's poetic music the way it was written"
-"[Kennard's]...pure renderings let the tenderness, coquetry, melancholy and majesty of the 19th century Polish composer's work come shining through."
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Honolulu Star-Bulletin
May 31st, 2003
-"he presented a thrilling performance of Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini."
-"Under Kennard's long, slender fingers, the Rachmaninoff variations acquired a rare grace."
-"Kennard's light touch, sweet tone and strong sense of phrasing yielded an exceptionally musical interpretation, and his sensuous reading of the famous Variation No.18 had the audience humming through intermission."
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The Honolulu Advertiser
October 20th, 2008
-"He presented Grieg's Concerto, Opus16, displaying a special affinity for quietly lyrical passages"
-"His performance was undoubtedly an inspiration for those hoping to become pianists."
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The Spoleto Buzz
June 5th, 2006
-"he sparkled in Chopin's famous Piano Concerto No.2. He simply tore up the first movement—his luminous tone, lovely rubato and dead-on passagework were something special."
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Charleston City Paper
November 28th, 2008
-"the glue that held them together was pianist (and Curtis grad) Sean Kennard—who proved to be a sensitive and accomplished chamber musician—on top of his established credentials as a brilliant solo pianist."
-"He cemented a touching and memorable performance (Dvorak Piano Quintet) that reflected fully professional standards."
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The Charleston Observer
May 29th, 2009
- "Sean Kennard...has a relaxed, professional demeanor at the keyboard that immediately puts you at ease. He comes across as a genuine player more than a stage performer, which draws you in even further. His technique is very polished, his expression ultra clear."
- "Sean masterfully managed the Rachmaninoff works, beautifully capturing the combination of poetry and magnificence that characterizes the Russian composer...After so much passionate playing, he concluded with an encore of Debussy's Claire de Lune - which further exhibited Sean's exquisite sensitivity and delicate touch."
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