PARIS chosen as ‘The Strad Selection’ of the month

»Sumptuously engineered and glowingly played, this recital disc simply oozes class. The Poulenc Sonata (unaccountably neglected by comparison with its wind-instrument cousins) is often played very cool as though any hint of espresssivo indulgence would ruin the effect. Maya Koch and Julian Milford really have their fingers on the pulse, however, tantalisingly infusing this glorious music with about as much warmth and interpretative vim as it can take without losing its neo-Classical poise. The opening movement is no faceless 'non troppo' but a true 'con fuocco' while the Presto finale is played 'tragico', just as indicated.

It was a suggestion of Diaghilev's that led to Stravinsky composing Pulcinella (1920), based on music that was then ostensibly thought to be by the Italian composer Pergolesi. He later arranged a suite of the most popular movements for violin and piano as the Suite Italienne, a work which is extremely tricky to bring off. Stravinsky's love of piquant wind articulation is ever-present, yet with so many wonderful melodies to wallow in it is difficult not to lapse into cantabile indulgence from time to time. Koch seems completely unfazed, however, playing with an elegance and natural warmth that is delectable.

Milhaud's Le Boeuf sur le toit is one of the few pieces of music that really is genuinely 'laugh-out-loud' funny with a rollicking rondo theme that once heard is impossible to forget. It is also fiendishly difficult (with a firecracker solo cadenza), yet Koch and Milford hardly seem to notice, so infectious are their fine-honed musical responses. Bravo!«

Julian Haylock
The Strad, April 2007


»AS NEAR PERFECT AS POSSIBLE
Bach and Mozart by candlelight, The London Conchord Ensemble, Chichester Cathedral.

A young orchestra full of vitality and infectious enthusiasm produced a concert of music by Mozart and Bach which was as near perfection as it is possible to get. The distinct feeling was that each musician was a superb soloist in their own right.

The highly accomplished soloists were Maya Koch (violin), Daniel Pailthorpe (flute), Emily Pailthorpe (oboe) and Nicholas Korth (horn) whose individual playing was impeccable...

...The total empathy between Maya Koch (violin) and Emily Pailthorpe (oboe) in Bach’s Concerto in C minor for Violin and Oboe was almost tangible...«
GRAHAM HEWITT, CHICHESTER TODAY, JULY 06


».. 27 year old violinist Maya Koch roused the audience with her powerfully gripping solo. Shining, big sound, secure interpretation - what more do you want?«
STUTTGARTER ZEITUNG, 03.12.2005


»... Beethoven's Violin Concerto ... with young violinist Maya Katharina Koch who impressed with expressive sound and virtuosic brilliance..«
STUTTGARTER NACHRICHTEN, 03.12.2005


»..almost vibrating intensity..«
»..an admirable sense of style and perfect violinistic abilities..«
BADISCHE NEUESTE NACHRICHTEN


»Maya Koch: a musical bundle of energy with enormous charisma«
RHEIN MAIN PRESSE


»..immaculate technique combined with a pure and sensuous sound..«
BÖBLINGER KREISZEITUNG


»Beethoven would have dedicated his Kreutzer Sonata to her«
RHEIN ZEITUNG


».. brilló con perfeción..«
EL PAIS