“Illia Ovcharenko’s solo performances were technically flawless and impeccably musical. He captured the wild emotional swings of Schumann’s Kreisleriana, vaulted effortlessly over the hurdles in Ginastera’s Sonata No. 1 and concluded with a stupendous performance of Liszt’s Sonata in B minor. I’m confident this 21-year-old Ukrainian will have a big career.”

—International Piano

“Ovcharenko plays with iron hands cloaked in mink gloves – a debut of sweep, dynamism and unexpected discoveries”

-Gramophone

“This is a musician of the highest order: the real deal, as they say.”

—Seen and Heard International

“…Already a master of the piano and a consolidated personality. His playing combines warmth, strength, sensitivity, intimacy and great bows. He convinced with his diversity, his color spectrum, his willingness to take risks and his intelligence of programming.”

—Fränkischer Tag

“…the most important part of the afternoon program was probably Ovcharenko’s astonishing Liszt Sonata in B minor. Lushly detailed and violently thrilling, it left us holding our breath and riveted …“

—Ludwig Van

“His Tchaikovsky Concerto No 1 was among the finest I have heard in the last 20 years – a list that includes the likes of Nikolai Lugansky, Evengy Kissin, Yuja Wang, and Daniil Trifonov.”

—International Piano

“Ovcharenko proved to be a remarkably stylish Mozartian: the runs sparkled, the sound was clear and crisp, and there was a rhythmic liveliness that informed every movement of the concerto…the audience was simply overwhelmed.”

—The Calgary Herald

“…his Mozart was playful, with shapely singsong phrasing and crispy edges… In his hands, the Andantino had a piercing, delicious clarity and the finale was more joyful than silly. It was an impeccable performance.”

—Ludwig Van

“But Ovcharenko is a tremendous pianist, who would shine at any of the world’s most prestigious competitions.”

—International Piano

“…his Mozart was playful, with shapely singsong phrasing and crispy edges… In his hands, the Andantino had a piercing, delicious clarity and the finale was more joyful than silly. It was an impeccable performance.”

—Ludwig Van

“Ovcharenko is as thoughtful and exact in his concert programming as he is technically proficient and emotionally immersive at the keyboard.”

—Blogcritics