John Paul Ekins - British Pianist

"Perfect touch and feeling...he went through all the emotions. This was a classic, purposeful account showing profound understanding...completely in control with some brilliant playing."
J. Bennett, Colston Hall

"This was a first class recital, fully up to Wigmore Hall standard, evidently much enjoyed by the audience, who clearly appreciated John Paul's introductory remarks before each work and who requested an early return of this accomplished young pianist."

Lewis Orchard, Woking Concert Society

"...an event of festival quality, from which the performer emerged with flying colours. We heard classic purity in the Mozart's K.311 Sonata, in which Mr. Ekins offered impeccably stylish and deft playing. Some dazzling Chopin, the elaborate Polonaise Fantaisie, preceded the heaviest guns in Mr. Ekins' impressive armoury and the revelation of the evening - Liszt's Valley of Obermann. This is a grand evocation of nature in all its moods (including a thunderous tempest!). Pianistically it pushes the performer to the limit, requiring prodigies of technical prowess. But it's also a soul-searcher, and John Paul was visibly moved by the end - his commitment had touched us all. Overalll, this was a distinguished Aldeburgh debut, enlivened throughout by sensible introductory comments which were helpful without a hint of the dumbing down that these days mars so much musical presentation on the radio.

Humphrey Burton, CBE, Aldeburgh Gazette

"To my delight, John Paul chose to introduce each work. So confidently entertaining and professional was this that I wondered if BBC Radio 3 would direct their efforts to producing more solo events that combine the player’s programme choice coupled with his performing expertise."

Bill Newman, Music & Vision Magazine