Opinions on my writing

"I have read several of your reviews, and your Upbeat.  You are clearly an interesting writer, with great amount of knowledge and good judgement... " - Anthony Wilkinson, Artistic Director, Wimbledon International Music Festival, by email March 2022.

"I can see your special competence [in the music of George Enescu] from your blog ”Upbeat”."-  Prof. Dr. Peter Ruzicka, composer/conductor, by email January 2022.

"Thank you for the programme notes [on Richard Strauss' Four Last Songs], which I very much enjoyed reading." Bridget at Centre for Young Musicians, by email 14 December 2021

“I have read through the two pieces [programme note on Enescu’s First Symphony and feature article on Enescu and the conductor Constantin Silvestri and enjoyed them very much.” – Terry Barfoot, Publications Consultant, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra by email 5 March 2020 

“This looks like an impressive CV. I shall add you to our list of note writers, and get in touch as and when anything appropriate comes along.” – Todd Harris, Booklet Editor, Hyperion Records Ltd, by email 2 March 2020

“Many thanks for these notes [to accompany a concert on 8 April 2020] – they look great.” – Rachel Williams, Publications Editor, London Philharmonic Orchestra by email 24 February 2020 

“As Evan Dickerson’s programme note reminded, Eötvös has here produced an intriguing piece which cannot easily be categorised.” – Richard Whitehouse, Classical Source, review of Eötvös’ Snatches of a Conversation, published 9 February 2020 

“I do hope that you will return to reviewing at some point. Your contributions are and remain valuable and future pieces from you would be very much welcomed by me. […] I hope that you will be moved to write again. As I say your writings are much missed.” – Rob Barnett, Founder Editor, MusicWeb International, by email 11 February 2019 

"… an informative programme note from Evan Dickerson … " – Jim Pritchard, Seen and Heard International, review of Enescu’s Oedipe by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, published 25 September 2017 

“I am keen to publish your pithy and erudite reviews ASAP!” – Andrew Achenbach, Editor, Classical Ear, by email 2 August 2017 

“The fullest and most closely observed account of the soloist’s outburst at a coughing child has been published by the critic Evan Dickerson on the MusicOMH site.” [followed by extensive quotation from my review] – Norman Lebrecht on the SlippedDisc blog in a posting titled Kyung Wha Chung: The Damage, published on 4 December 2014 

“It’s critics like Evan Dickerson who give their kind a bad name. I’ve read his reviews before this. He has a music degree* ergo he knows all there is to know about music. In other words – he couldn’t make it any other way but as a critic. Critics like that are the most obnoxious, like petty little bantam roosters, trying to impress with their size. What he wrote comes out like verbal garbage.” – SJ Reidhead on The Pink Flamingo Blog in a posting titled When Opera Critics Attack, published on 16 September 2012 [* N.B. this is factually incorrect, as biographies for musicOMH, MusicWeb and ClassicalEar state] 

“Another worthy memorial [of Yakov Kreizberg] is HERE on Evan Dickerson's blog, which always has things no-one else covers, and does it well.” – Anne Ozorio on her blog Classical Iconoclast, published 16 March 2011 

“Thank you for the wonderfully intelligent programme notes!” – Nelly Miricioiu, soprano, following a recital she gave at the Enescu Society London, 4 December 2008 

“Here's an analysis of George Enescu's opera Oedipe in Toulouse. Evan Dickerson, who writes the piece, is an Enescu scholar.” – Anne Ozorio on her blog Classical Iconoclast, published 18 October 2008 

“Thank you for the wonderful reviews you have written about my performances! It means a lot to me and I hope you don't mind that I've included them on my website.” Pianist Tanya Gabrielian, by email 4 July 2008

“Cher Evan, maestro de l’ecriture pour la Musique. Moi, Aurelian-Octav Popa, a mes 70 ans j’ai la joie de vous lire. Votre article est competent et charmant. Encore plus, vous aimez profondement la musique. Vous m’avez fait grand plaisir d’entrer presque en dialog avec moi sur le significant d’un program vue en entier et en parties . Admirable // Votre, Aurelian-Octav Popa - clarinettiste” 

Translation: Dear Evan, master of writing about music. I, Aurelian-Octav Popa, in my 70s, have the joy of reading you. Your article is competent and charming. Even more, you deeply love music. You made me very happy to enter almost in dialogue with me on the significant programme seen in whole and in parts. In admiration // Yours, Aurelian-Octav Popa – clarinettist. Received by email 15 May 2008, following my review of his CD Libre Comme un Oiseau 

Letter to the Editor, Fanfare Magazine USA, published September 2007: “Dear Mr Editor, As interesting and possibly valid as Barry Brenesal's review of volume 1 of Enescu's complete works for violin and piano is, it is really too bad that he does not seem aware of ANY competing version of "Impressions d'Enfance", one of Enescu's towering masterpieces […] Kudos to Evan Dickerson for his highly informed review; thanks to him, now I know that I can safely try the Haenssler CD. Thanks again. Ed Reichenbach, France" 

“You cannot imagine how glad I am that a real expert on Enescu, as you are without any doubt, did such a precise and professional comparison between different interpretations. And furthermore: You definitely succeeded to point out very clearly what is our viewpoint of Enescu interpretation. I feel that first of all, you did justice to the genius of Enescu, and that is a common matter, as we tried exactly the same while playing that music, i.e. to be as attentive as possible to any indication we could find in the scores. Thank you so much!” – Eduard Stan, pianist, by email 1 April 2007 

“Many thanks for your kind review. It is wonderful. I am very happy that you enjoyed the songs by Grieg. It is the first time that I am exploring his work, and your words really encourage me to study this repertoire further.” – Clara Mouriz, mezzo-soprano, by email 5 August 2007

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Interview with pianist Daria Parkhomenko about her recording of Enescu's music

The debut recording from pianist Daria Parkhomenko, a Russian of Romanian origin, features three major works by George Enescu. To celebrate ...