Testimonials
“Rarely do contemporary instruments so beautifully capture the essence of their inspiration or sound as if they already carry centuries of memories and harmonies within them. This extraordinary Bench Inspiration No. 2 after Domenico Montagnana does just that. Yet, even more remarkably, it stands entirely on its own—a masterpiece of artistry and craftsmanship, with a unique voice destined to be heard in concert halls around the world.”
Kian Soltani
Violoncello
His cello sound has the fuzz and richness of caramel, and he plays with an easy warmth, drawing the orchestra after him like a halo around a candle flame.—The Washington Post
Ever since Kian Soltani won the International Paulo Cello Competition in Helsinki in 2013, the praise from the press has not stopped. The Times describes him as a “remarkable cellist”, and Gramophone praises his playing as “sheer perfection”. Supported by Daniel Barenboim and Anne-Sophie Mutter, Kian studied in the Young Soloists Program at Kronberg Academy and the International Music Academy of Liechtenstein. Today he travels the world, giving concerts with his mentor Barenboim, the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, the Vienna Philharmonic and on the renowned stages of Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall and the Lucerne Festival. Kian currently plays with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the Munich Philharmonic. After his Stretton Society concert, Kian will tour with the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra and perform with the Wiener Symphoniker, the Tonhalle Zurich Orchestra, the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra and at the Alte Oper Frankfurt.