Diane Meredith Belcher: Reviews
"....whose playing is glowingly brilliant, rhythmically vibrant, consistently expressive, and full of both atmosphere and personality - in short, everything that artistic organ playing should be."
HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA
"Musical elegance, clarity, projection and mastery of style...an amazing display of musical virtuosity of the highest order...."
-The Halifax Chronicle-Herald
PHILADELPHIA
"(At the) benefit concert honoring David Craighead...three recitalists were featured, but most outstanding was...Diane Meredith Belcher, whose performance of her incredible arrangement of the Bach concerto for two violins was followed by a unison gasp of amazement from the totally organist audience."
-The Crescendo
ORGEL INTERNATIONAL (Germany)
"Gigantic! A CD that is addictive! Diane Meredith Belcher's playing is exemplary in every respect. She...masterfully expresses the essence of each composition as it unfolds."
CLEVELAND
"A formidable virtuoso, Belcher played...with authority and zest."
-The Plain Dealer
PHILADELPHIA (The Kimmel Center Organ's Inaugural Weekend)
"Alchemy...definitely among the afternoon's high points"
-The Philadelphia Inquirer
BOSTON
"The greater the technical challenge, the greater she seemed to relish it. To her fleet and sure-fingered accounts of Vierne's Naļades and Toccata there was effortless brilliance."
-The American Organist
ARKANSAS (Outstanding Keyboard Soloist of 1998)
"splendid, fully-satisfying performances.... She is the real thing...an organist with all the technical and interpretive skills anyone could want."
-Arkansas Times
DENVER
"Belcher showed her brilliant technique and rhythmic drive...."
-The American Organist
ORGANISTS REVIEW (England)
"...the whole programme is played with musicianship, flair and poise, a fine ear for colour and the ability to marry the organ perfectly to every style which it is called to adopt."
GREENSBORO, NC
"inspired drama and flair.... The artist gave each movement an authoritative and profound reading.... Not a soul stirred for a long time after she released the final chord. Brava!"
-Classical Voice of North Carolina
ORLANDO
"Diane Meredith Belcher showed Tuesday evening what more experienced artistry is."
-The Orlando Sentinel
LITTLE ROCK
"Diane Meredith Belcher played an exciting recital.... Ms. Belcher showed great flair and sensitivity in her playing, with a wonderful feeling of internal rhythm and movement."
-The American Organist
BOSTON
"Ms. Belcher's technical ability, often bordering on athletic agility, was brilliantly displayed...."
-The Diapason
CHOIR & ORGAN (England)
"A highly diverse programme... She plays with admirable musicianship throughout."
MEMPHIS
"...catering to a full house...Diane Meredith Belcher proceeded to light a fire under us with a concert of 20th century compositions."
-The American Organist
NORFOLK
"With such great technical command of the instrument, Belcher was able to explore - and make sense of - the most difficult musical language.... She gave physical shape to every musical gesture with her perfect timing. It is a language she understands well and that she used effectively to communicate directly to the listeners."
-The Virginian-Pilot
COLUMBIA, SC
"...a performance that was serious without pretense, joyous without frivolity and thoroughly captivating."
-The State
CLAVIER
"Her untrammeled abandon and keen emotional sensitivity are perfectly adapted to the romantic style."
WILKES-BARRE
"Belcher is a virtuoso organist who easily ranks with the leading organists in the United States - if not in the world."
-The Times Leader
AMERICAN RECORD GUIDE
"Belcher is a solid player, displaying both technique and thorough knowledge of historic styles. Her Bach is clear and expressive..."
ANAHEIM
"...Diane Meredith Belcher turned in a brilliant account capped by the Reger Second Sonata...."
-The American Organist
CHARLESTON, WV
"Belcher played admirably....Her definition of texture and musical line was full of finely hued detail and crisp precision."
-The Charleston Gazette
THE NEW RECORDS
"She is a virtuoso organist to rank with any, and plays with rare poise and pacing as well as exceptional mastery."
THE WILDWOOD FESTIVAL
"The Wildwood Festival imports many artists each season, but I doubt that any performer brought in for the festival has the artistic integrity and power that Belcher has. This is a performer who knows how to deliver the goods."
-Arkansas Times
THE ABSOLUTE SOUND (Golden Ear Award, 2000)
"...this Diane Meredith Belcher recital...is the best."