REVIEWS
"The young Irish pianist Finghin Collins played the opening passage [of Schumann's Piano Concerto] with a broad gesture and then showed, alongside much enthusiasm, a remarkable refinement in his playing. He has a very pleasing touch: not every pianist manages to get such a free, beautiful tone from the piano in the Muziekcentrum. He did not make an ostentatious display of his excellent technique, but that he has such a technique became clear in the brisk tempo with which he played the finale. Here Collins evinced a clear affinity with the romantic repertoire..the public reacted enthusiastically to this vivacious performance."
Frans Heijdemann, Tubantia, November 11th, 2004
"..soloists Catherine Leonard (violin) and Finghin Collins (piano) threw themselves upon Mendelssohn's thrilling but merciless passagework... The romantic air of the slow second movement.... brought dramatic contrasts and almost palpable relief. Then Collins kicked off the wild, gypsy finale at a torrid pace, as though issuing a sporting challenge to Leonard and McGegan, both of whom were equal to it and accepted, the latter with what looked like sheer mad merriment."
Michael Dungan, The Irish Times, October 2nd 2004
"Finghin Collins took to the piano writing with the alacrity of a greyhound after a hare, and his admirable, free-flowing energy was matched by the members of the St Petersburg Quartet."
Michael Dervan, The Irish Times, July 6th 2004
"Before the interval, the young Dublin born pianist Finghin Collins presented a fresh look at Shostakovich's taut and moving Concerto. The soloist's style is infectious, his musical statements visibly travelling through a wiry physical frame to the keyboard. And the playing has a sharp and brilliant edge. The result was an exciting, brave and occasionally dangerous performance that perfectly suited the eccentric nature of the piece."
Rathcol, Belfast Telegraph, May 17th 2004
"Finghin Collins makes the piano sound like a good wine - a delicate and crisp body interspersed with aromatic zesty accents. Collins' style is all about sound, sound and sound..."
Evi Arujarv, Postimees, Estonia, May 2004
