Testimonials

I first met Mackenzie Melemed when he was kind enough to agree to help me learn an extremely thorny new concerto. In a matter of days, he not only made his way through an orchestral score and played it with me, but helped me overcome my difficulties with some rhythm patterns.  We then did some work together while he was a student at the Juilliard School. 

It was always a revelation and a thrill to hear him play, and lessons were really explorations of music that we did as equals.  He has become a truly exceptional artist, and just as important, a searcher and explorer of piano music that is rarely played and deeply satisfying.  He has championed a number of new and exciting composers and always creates programs that stimulate listeners. 

His latest project, centered on America's 250th anniversary, is the most interesting take on the recital program that I have seen in a long time.  I urge everyone in the world of music to follow him in this journey and in any other one that he undertakes.  I know that everyone will love his artistry.

“Mackenzie’s Keys Across America was one of the highlights of our Phillips Music season. Beautifully curated to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, the program reminded us how important it is to bring composers such as Gottschalk and MacDowell back into the concert repertoire. Mackenzie brought so much artistry, curiosity, and enthusiasm to every piece; not only is he an exceptional pianist but also a musician with a genuine curiosity and a gift for sharing it with audiences.”

“Keys Across America was an eclectic variety of styles that mixed the familiar with the new. Mackenzie’s dazzling versatility combines engaging virtuosity with pliant lyricism.”

None of us knew Mackenzie at all and, aside from reading his bio, we had little to go on when we engaged him.  We decided to gamble because of the strong recommendation of one of his former teachers, and that gamble paid off big time. 

Mackenzie’s recital was stupendous. The program was varied and fascinating, the explanations were engaging and enormously helpful, and the playing was, quite simply, phenomenal. 

This is playing of international stature— incredible sound and speed, impeccable musical instincts, and a flair that is irresistible. Mackenzie should be heard everywhere. It’s impossible not to love him.

I'm grateful (read ecstatic) that we were able to host the launch of Melemed's 'Keys Across America' project because his performance was memorable on so many levels. 

If I were writing a review it might be headlined with something like "pianistic prestidigitation without pretense." His technical command was exceptional and totally in the service of the musical narrative and voice of each composer and their work. The repertoire selections were redolent of the fabric of America's cultural mix from late 19th-century romanticism and pianistic bravura, to 21st-century contemporary issues and idioms.

One might wonder if such an eclectic program would cohere, yet there was a felt or experiential flow that carried the audience through from the exuberance of Copland's "Buckaroo" played with panache to the emotion-laden "Lament and Variations" of Dorman's brand new work. His insightful, moving "Ballade" by Beach and nimble virtuosity in Arthur Foote's "Scherzo" were again representative of his huge range of pianism. 

He also provided an insightful and effective masterclass. He offered a wealth of musical insights delivered with clarity and simpatico. His at-sight pianistic demonstrations were simply stunning.

Truly, his artistic vision and voice are deserving of the widest possible hearing and I know that our School of Music, and the entire community, were greatly benefitted by his time here in Southern California.

Melemed delivered a tour-de-force performance filled with energy, precision and conviction. He brought to life a rich variety of largely unknown American literature, inspiring future performances of these compelling and exciting works. His artistry was evident from start to finish, with a variety of sound, color, and drama that showcased his unique voice.

Mackenzie presented a recital featuring mostly unknown pieces, but from the first note, I was completely drawn in by the color, intention, and expressive power of his playing.

Mackenzie thrilled the audience with his effortless technique and thoughtful musical depth. An unforgettable artist!

The audience, music students and faculty alike, felt the freshness and excitement in Melemed’s program, and the depth and virtuosity in his music-making.  We were very much impressed by his energy and technique command at the keyboard, and at the same time enjoyed the rich musical content in his playing.

Mackenzie Melemed has compiled a brilliant program that he executes no less brilliantly at the piano. Some of these are never-heard, or seldom-heard, pieces of American music that deserve more time on concert stages and more attention from students and professionals alike. Melemed’s playing runs the full expressive gamut as a result of his keen musical sensitivity and deep knowledge of these pieces; hearing this program is a real treat.