“As early as I can remember, I made piano transcriptions of the symphonic music I was listening to on records or on the radio. In those days I did not yet read notes and reproduced everything from memory. So, I had played the Beethoven Symphonies when I was a child and I knew them all almost by heart…” From Idil Biret’s MEMOIRES, Editions Buchet-Chastel – France 2006
“Brahms’ Paganini Variations are not only of fiendish technical difficulty, but also offer considerable interpretative challenge. Idil Biret met both these demands with an almost hypnotic effect – the whole audience seemed to be breathlessly following every bar she played. It is a long time since we heard a pianist of such stunning virtuosity and sensitivity.” W. Hoffmann, CANBERRA TIMES – Australia 1980
“The Hungarian Dances are extremely demanding in their two-hand form… Biret’s performances are both convincing and attractive…” Christopher Headington, GRAMOPHONE – UK 1994