“…hear her in the Bach-Rachmaninov Partita and you will be astonished by her unfaltering brio, style and command. She has technique to burn and glories in the opulent clothing Ignaz Friedman gives to Bach. Chochieva’s arresting brilliance never precludes sensitivity and a broad tange of emotion, such as in the Schubert-Liszt Litanei, where she even challenges Cortot’s legendary recording…”
By Bryce Morrison for International Piano, Critics Choice
“…’(Re)creations’ is one of the best programmes to come my way in a very long time… everything is captivating… Rachmaninov’s three movement Bach Suite just sparkles, and his notoriously difficult Mendelssohn ‘Scherzo’ from A Midsummer Night’s Dream is truly a light, quick Scherzo…”
By James Harrington for American Record Guide, Critics Choice
“One cannot help but be won over by a program of such richness, admirably championed by a pianist with airy, lively, luminous playing, and so sensitive when it comes to making the piano sing.”
By Jany Campello for Resmusica
“…once again, behind all her technical bravura, the Berlin-based pianist succeeds in providing completely new insights into the fine structures and the realm of the inner soul of these mostly large-scale works, thus also revealing the deeper meaning of such “transformations”. For they are, without exception, highly musical recreations that illuminate anew the spirit of the original from the point of view of the arranger.”
AC, as Classical CD of the Month for Stereoplay.de
“Zlata Chochieva follows her recent splendid albums of Chopin and Rachmaninov with something as intriguing as it is compelling: transcriptions that reveal both the form and a formidable pianist at their very best.”
By Martin Cullingford for Gramophone Magazine
“…Right from the first note, you realise Chochieva has not just drifted into the studio on a whim or simply to fulfil a contract. This is music-making of real purpose and conviction… I should like to hear Chochieva in the other five [Gärtner-Friedman waltzes]. Or in anything else she cares to play.”
By Jeremy Nicholas for Gramophone Magazine
“…This CD of transcriptions is a great artistic success that invites intimacy and complicity. Let us leave the last word to Zlata Chochieva: In addition, it is a genre which leaves a great freedom of expression while requiring a deep spiritual and intellectual connection with the two composers – that of the original work as that of the transcription . Connection assumed and ensured brilliantly! Here is a pianist whose career will have to be closely followed…”
By Jean Lacroix for Crescendo Magazine
https://www.crescendo-magazine.be/un-eventail-de-transcriptions-par-zlata-chochieva/
“The piano can simply do everything – if you master it like Zlata Chochieva. In these virtuoso arrangements from Bach to Schubert to Mussorgsky, the Russian pianist playfully replaces vocal soloists and entire orchestras.”
For Tagesspiegel Berlin
“…everywhere [she] succeeds with finesse in letting the original radiate from the transcribed version while relishing the act of fashioning the grand Romantic arc. How technically prodigious and musically accomplished she is can be confirmed by admirers of late-Romantic lustre via another remarkable box set: for the complete solo piano works by Rachmaninov…
SAL, Der Spiegel, Germany
“…Zlata Chochieva has done music a great service with this latest recording – (re)creations – where she performs with great aplomb piano transcriptions by a range of composers…Chochieva’s artistry makes a very strong case for the validity of transcriptions as a musical art form…”
For Music and Arts Blog, Canada
“She keeps everything bright and sparkling, no matter how complex the harmonized counterpoint is. …It’s a pleasure to welcome a gifted pianist whose abilities stand out even on the current scene, which is awash with keyboard talent. What is special about Chochieva is that such musicality is combined with astonishing technique.”
Huntley Dent for Fanfare, July 2021