Pestova/Meyer piano duo performance of Igor Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring":
Their two-piano version provided more resonance and weight than the composer’s own arrangement for one-piano-four-hands, edging just a little closer to the power of the orchestra. At times Pestova and Meyer evoked familiar instrumental timbres (the opening bassoon, the dialogues of muted trumpets): at others they created something fresh and new...

Pestova/Meyer piano duo performance of Karlheinz Stockhausen's "MANTRA":
Pestova and Meyer’s intimate engagement with the piece enabled them to highlight episodes of lush romanticism and snatches of melody... an epic marathon demanding concentration, commitment and stamina... plus exquisite coordination... a tour de force...
- Alan Wells, "Contemporary Rites - Xenia Pestova and Pascal Meyer," Middle C, July 2009
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Radio New Zealand Upbeat interview with Xenia Pestova and Pascal Meyer, July 2009
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Xenia's focussed and sensitive playing, the close and friendly attention she paid to the pieces and their composers, and the supportive atmosphere created with the electronics team, were ideal.
- Composers of Wales Newsletter, April 2009


Peter Shea interviews Xenia Pestova on Digital Musical Instruments, rats in pianos and other matters during the Spark Festival of Electronic Music and Arts in Minneapolis, February 2009
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Avec une technique impeccable, en parfaite empathie stylistique, les deux pianistes [Xenia Pestova et Pascal Meyer] nous ont submergés de sons tantôt d'un martellato-fortissimo étourdissant, tantôt d'une douceur pleine d'imagination.
- Paul Moes, "Prouesses orchestrales et pianistiques aux Rainy Days," November 2008


Download a review of Dialoge (concerto for two pianos and large orchestra) by Bernd Alois Zimmermann with Xenia Pestova and Pascal Meyer (piano), Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Arturo Tamayo during the Rainy Days Festival, Luxemburger Wort, November 2008


Read an interview with Xenia Pestova and Pascal Meyer by Rémy Franck in the Pizzicato magazine, November 2008
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Magnifiques de clarté et d'intelligence, Pascal Meyer et Xenia Pestova entremêlent leurs touchers et leurs tempéraments avec une rare cohésion. Surtout, pendant ces septante minutes de transe, ils impressionnent d'endurance, avec une concentration intacte tout au long de ce "Mantra".
- Jonas Pulver, Le Temps, Geneva, April 2008
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Brillant hommage à Stockhausen: Les pianistes Pascal Meyer et Xenia Pestova créent un MANTRA dynamique... les brillants pianistes...
- Isabelle Trub, Luxemburger Wort, 26 January 2008
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Äußerst sensibel und dennoch deutlich... Das perfekt aufeinander eingespielte Klavierduo... Pascal Meyer und Xenia Pestova an zwei Klavieren und der Toningenieur Jan Panis blieben dem Großwerk Mantra von 1970 nichts an Sensibilität, Klarheit, musikalischer Intelligenz, Einfühlungsvermögen, Deutlichkeit und auch Dezenz schuldig. Das Genie des Komponisten und die Kompetenz der Interpreten griffen ineinander und hoben diesen Abend im voll besetzten Experimentalstudio der Luxemburger Philharmonie in den Rang einer einzigartigen Begegnung mit einer einzigartigen Musik.
- Martin Moller, Triersche Volksfreund, 28 January 2008
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...Indem Xenia Pestova und Pascal Meyer der Seriellen Musik lyrische Momente und Schönheit zugestanden, wurde nicht nur der meditative Charakter hervorragend herausgeschält, auch der Geist Bachs und sogar Beethovens schwang in dieser Musik mit...
- Alain Steffen, Tageblatt, 28 January 2008
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Xenia's performances with the United Instruments of Lucilin:
Read a review of "Portrait Magnus Lindberg" in Festival Arena Riga, Luxemburger Wort 25 October 2007
Read a review of "Carte Blanche Ichiro Nodaira" in Salzburg, Pizzicato September 2007


Aérienne et dotée d'un toucher d'une exceptionnelle finesse, Xénia Pestova a régalé le public de la salle de l'Institut d'un récital mémorable... une liberté d'expression exceptionnelle... fluide et naturelle... sensibilité personnelle et son toucher d'une très grande finesse.
- La Republique, France, 7 March 2006
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...a new star in the heavens... colour, depth of tone and every nuance of every delicate shade evident in her playing of music by French masters Messiaen and Ravel... More stunning effects still appeared in Ravel's Mirrors... With stunning left hand arpeggios matched against intensely rhythmic right hand patterns, Pestova coaxed piano sounds and colours never dreamed of by dear old Mozart and Beethoven. It was wonderous playing that had me, and others, wanting to applaud each movement... If you didn't enjoy this playing, go and see your doctor.
- Harry Brown: "Xenia's performance a gift of virtuoso piano-playing" Taranaki Daily News, 5 August 2005
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...a flair for emotive playing underscored by technical virtuosity...
- Music Matters, June-July 2005


This young musician has an exceptional talent. Her aptitude, her pianistic qualities and her musicality are outstanding...
- Louise Bessette, pianist, Montreal 2004


...Xenia Pestova est une jeune pianiste de talent, tres ÉRUDITE en musique contemporaine...
- Yvonne Loriod-Messiaen, pianist, Paris 2003
Read a personal inscription from Yvonne Loriod-Messiaen, dated July 2002


...de panterachtige pianiste... prachtige timing (the panther-like pianist... superb timing)
- NHD, Amsterdam, 20 January 2003


...high pianistic level, great musical insight and a pronounced interest for uncommon repertoire
- Hakon Austbo, pianist, Amsterdam 2003

With her rare combination of gifts Xenia is a musician for whom I have the greatest respect... A fine balance of intellect and emotion in her playing... Technical command and commitment.
- Philip Mead, pianist, London 2001


One of New Zealand's most promising young pianists
- Capital Times, 20-26 September 2000, Wellington


Xenia Pestova charted an engrossing odyssey through Beethoven's opus 111...
- Alan Wells, The New Zealand Listener "Best of 2000" list


...scintillating piano playing...
- John Rimmer, composer, Auckland, August 2000


Xenia has a very strong character and a musical quality of deep perception and understanding. She has a strong affinity for contemporary music and has given some electrifying first performances of many challenging works. Her ability to learn exceptionally quickly difficult solo work for piano, chamber music and accompanying was outstanding and received much deserved praise.
- Judith Clark, pianist and pedagogue, Wellington 2000

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