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Soulful and imminently deep expression is what distinguishes Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt's interpretations. Astonishing technical supremacy and a remarkable presence of artistic inspiration are almost perfectly united. To describe his tone as “beautiful” would be an excessive understatement Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
“Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt is one of the leading cellists of his generation, of our time” Mstislav Rostropovitch
Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt proved himself to be a cellist of impeccable technique, poise and taste Yo-Yo Ma
Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt manages to carve out an individual identity, while demonstrating great virtuosity in the searingly intense performance. The gladiatorial hurdles are immaculately cleared, with great perception coupled with an acute er for the underlying orchestral writing... Clearly Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt proves to be both a brillant cellist and a perfect musical chameleon, tapping into all the contrasting aspects of Prokofiev’s inspired musical language The Strad
Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt is, without doubt, one of the leading cellist of his generation. His technique is exceptional. With his beautiful tone and his high musical intellect, Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt is exceptional in the world of young cellists. Siegfried Palm
It is my great honor to recommend Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt. We also played some chamber music, and I found it a privilege to be his partner. He is a magnificent cellist, a searching musician, and a truly delightful colleague. Emanuel Ax
Thank you for making such wonderful music here in Cologne. Roger Moore
*Feast of sounds and emotions.* The performance of Elgar‘s Cello concerto was brought to life through the bond of conductor (Michael Sanderling) and the soloist, backed meticulously by the orchestra. Schmidt‘s playing was fascinating: it used the breadth of the cello‘s universe and grasped nuances of sound, singing cello lines, assertive strength and the softest whispering sound whilst he kept alive incredible virtusity and a noticeable joy of playing - a truly unforgettable and captivating experience! Mitteldeutsche Zeitung, November 2009
Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt and Fabio Bidini played with painful intensity and without compromise - at times tenderly and caressing, incredibly soft and then with overpowering strength and force. The instruments were led to the borders of their intensity, creating an awesome sound without leading to disruptive noise. They challenged the borders of intensity but never ventured beyond.They played with their soul! . Schmidt`s vibrato was always used conscientiously and poignantly. This was not a concert where you could lean back and relax as the tension fluctuated between the rapturous movements and pin drop silence. I should choose my words wisely but this performance was simply masterful. Neue Westfälische Zeitung, Juni 2009
*Resounding Poetry (Schumann / Elgar, CD release Sony Classical)* The new CD release of cello concertos by Elgar and Schumann contains all the necessary attractioons: Wolfgang Emanuel Schmist’s cello playing is incredibly intense sounding, both beautiful and grandiose. Particulary noticeable is the perfect and warm sound of his playing. Not a scratch during his expressions and no other instrumental weakmesses come to the fore. Schmidt‘s cello sings miraculously. The solo parts turn into a never ending melody. One could listen to this interpreter for many hours entranced.The strong expressive force is especially present in the soft parts: these are the best preconditions for the two recorded concertos. Above all in Schumann‘s work of 1850 the main concern of the artist is to cature what the composer called the „petry of art“. Schmidt follows this credo in a sincere and sensitive way. there is no doubt that exquisit resounding poetry is beíng celebrated. Badische Zeitung, Mai 2009
Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt is not only a highly virtuosic performer but also a very communicative cellist. He has an astute sense for speaking phrases and their tonal coloring depth (Sinfonia Concertante). Stuttgarter Nachrichten, Oktober 2007
Originally unsuccessfull, but later remodeled for Mstislav Rostropovitch, Prokofiev‘s Sinfonia concertante has a lot to offer: marches, gallanteries, machine music , folklore, lyrical melodies and severals surprising turns. The outstanding soloist WES, who recorded this piece with Gabriel Feltz, switsched between extremes without compromising the overall phrasing. This seemingly unsolvable challenge was successfully mastered bei WES culminating with a relaxed smile and ending the evening with a humorous encore for the enthusiastic audience. Stuttgarter Zeitung, Oktober 2007
Energy, artistic will and poetic sensitivity dominante in the performance by the young cellist Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt, who is already a regular artist at the Ludwigsburger Festspiele. Technically supreme and with a variety sense of tone colour, he found a truly likeable approch to Haydn's C Major Cello Concerto. Hugh applause, repeat of the last movements... tuttgarter Nachrichten
Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt, whose instrumental expressive power is often mentioned in the same breath as Rostropovitch, plays Beethoven's music with instinctive technical sureness, musically intensely and with a beautiful tone. (Triple Concerto) Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt as a spirited soloist let off a firework of musical ideal, with which he lit up Haydn's Concerto in many colours. Stuttgarter Zeitung
On the basis of a mature technique and a sound reminiscent in ist variety and intensity of Rostropovitch, Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt develops a great musical autonomy. Schnittke's quarter-tone Improvisation and his Sonata from 1978 can surely hardly be performed better. Fono Forum
Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt attracted the public's attention with his effusive, expressively demanding playing. Incessantly intent of interpreting, he fathomed the enigmatic, ecstatic visions of the tone poem. (Dutilleux Tout un monde lointain) Berliner Morgenpost
...Because, in Brahms' Sonata for Cello and Piano op. 38.”Christoph Eschenbach and “the young German cellist Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt kindles a wonderfully homogeneous dialogue between two like-minder spirits, which in esprit and vigour leaves nothingto be desired right up to the last bar of the intricate counterpoint of the finale. Kieler Nachrichten
Winner of several major prizes, Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt proves himself to be a first-rate cellist with his agreeable interpretations of these works. Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt effortlessly masters the difficult passages of the Sinfonia concertante, with brilliant technique and incomparable beauty of tone. Verdict: This is a well contrived CD and is recommended to all those who want to experience a heightened interpretation of Sergei Prokofiev. (Sony Classical CD) ndrkultur
In front of a finely shaded background, soloist Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt suddenly etched French pirouttes in the ice. Sparingly performed sounds, refined restraint: Schmidt plays with aromas, through which sounds of overwhelming beauty pour out of his Guarneri (Dutilleux Tout un monde lointain). Die Welt
In the 50s and 60s nobody could compare to Rostropovitch. However, this Sony Classical recording of Prokofiev demonstrates that the times have changed. Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt tackles the towering technical difficulties with impressive authority... (Sony Classical CD) Fono Forum
In the Cello Concerto “Tout un monde lointain“ by Henri Dutilleux, Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt was an ideal interpreter, with a broad vibrant tone at the top and technically faultless. Der Tagesspiegel
Prokofiev pushes the cellist to the fullest extent of his ability - proof of Rostropovitch's undisputable talent. An enormous challenge Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt nevertheless meets successfully. Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt does not have to stand in the shadow of his teacher, Rostropovitch, handling even the expansive, tricky middle movement with ease and brilliance. Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt and Gabriel Feltz offer an outstanding and convincing performance of Prokofiev's Cello Concertos (Sony Classical CD). klassik.com