“<…> the Moscow-born artist demonstrated formidable command of technique and poetic prowess as her music-making unfolded organically and sublimely during the sold-out concert.
<…> From moodiness to luminousness, from tenderness to sheer power, Chochieva delivered what the music [Rachmaninoff’s Chopin Variations] demanded with a turn of her own ingenuity. Many interpretations of the work dwell on the sulky side, but Chochieva’s take was one of pure elegance. Another common critique of the piece is that it often feels incoherent and rambling, but in Chochieva’s hands it never felt prolonged or dubious. She adroitly made the main theme clear throughout, and focused on the inherent character of each variation until they escalated into a thrilling and sonorous maelstrom of a finale. <…> As validated by Sunday’s performance, the 32-year-old possesses a musical maturity that surpasses many of her peers. Chochieva’s lack of hesitancy in the face of assumed expectations is refreshing, as is her commitment to unveiling the beauty behind every note.”
– Revue Magazine, Samara Napolitan, 2017