reviews                                                                                  

The 13th Richard-Wagner-Days inaugurated in a brillant recital by Kresimir Strazanac and Michael Balke.
Il Gazzettino (Venice), 11-16-2008


The Ortenau has a new Classic-Festival
The three singers - as well as pianist and festival founder Michael Balke were more than worth an evening of opera. [...] A masterwork how Balke lets the audience hear the arpeggios in the harps and the eerie sounds of the violins in the orchestration, with spheric high chords that sound like buzzing - a divinely beautiful performance.
Badische Neueste Nachrichten, 8-7-2007


Brillant Musicians
The musicians Gregor Dierck (violin) and Michael Balke (piano) acted extremely brilliantly. After Mozart’s sonatas KV 303 and 304 the duo thrilled the audience with Schubert’s sonata op.137.
Badische Neueste Nachrichten, 8-6-2007


Abenteuer des Heiratsunwilligen
Actor Christian Quadflieg sheds light onto Goethe’s relationships with women. The musicians Gregor Dierck and Michael Balke fascinated the audience with a virtuous performance of sonatas by Mozart and Schubert. The audience responded with long-held applause.
Mittelbadische Presse, 8-6-2007


Many laughs and lots of applause
Pianist Michael Balke plays with great authority and expression. He sensitively created a carpet for the singers on which they could unfold freely. Whether in the Folksongs that live from their spontaneity or in the rhythmically demanding and partly virtuousic "Four Serious Songs" [Brahms] - the balance and ensemble were in every way in harmony.
klassik.com, 2-2-2004


Michael Balke plays flawlessly and note perfect. He accompanies with authority yet discreetly and thus sets his own musical accent.
mittelloge.de, 11-27-2003


Michael Balke’s piano recital in the City Museum
Continuously Michael Balke worked towards the climax. One could hear every nuance, tension, balance, and technique was only a means [...] pearling bass lines with a floating melody above. It may sound like a paradox: the virtuosity seemed more like a delight for him than a burden!
Braunschweiger Zeitung, 7-24-2002


Gripping temperament proven
[...] they showed a versatility, infectious temperament, great artistic maturity.
Michael Balke proved his brilliance with effortlessly sparkling runs. One was also impressed by the highly romantic and almost breathless state of emotion.
Expressive and highly explosive!
Fränkische Nachrichten, 10-4-2001