"Eine phänomenale Beethoven-Präsentation von kaum noch steigerbarer Stringenz und Imposanz."
Jan.19 im Sendesaal, im Festival "Auf schwarzen und weißen Tasten"
"Kotaro Fukuma glänzt mit überlegen gestaltender Transparenz, überzeugt mit einem schlüssigen, in wunderbarem Farbreichtum gebotenen Programm."
- Isabel Herzfeld in der FAZ vom 30.8.2019
"Fukuma entpuppte sich vom ersten Ton an als überlegen agierender Klaviermusikarchäologe und gewann sein hingerissenes Publikum im Sturm. Absolut souverän und technisch untadelig."
- Detlef Bielefeld in Kieler Nachrichten vom 27.8.2019
August 23, Schloss vor Husum, in the Festival Raritäten der Klaviermusik
Olivier Bellamy – Classica«...dès les premières notes de sa Sonate no.1 de Mozart, on comprend que Kotaro Fukuma est un poète du piano»
Jean-Rémi Barland, Festival de la Roque d'Anthéron
"Fukuma may appear to be just one of a number of very gifted pianists from south-east Asia, but even amongst such a plethora of excellence as can be claimed for many of them, his comprehensively superb artistry places him in the exceptional class..."
Nov.14 Wigmore Hall
Classical Source
Un brillante pianista. ...El intérprete japonés dio una visión integradora de la personalidad creativa de la obra de Haydn. ...las obras de Debussy fueron interpretadas por Fukuma con un gusto exquisito, espléndidas en texturas y planos sonoros.
April 26th, Teatro Filarmonica
LA NUEVA ESPAÑA
Fukuma played with a wonderfully articulate left hand, and excellent all-around clarity of rhythm... impeccable virtuosity... his interpretation seemingly held the audience spellbound with its sudden flare-ups of high octane heat.
December 6, Carnegie Hall (Weill Recital Hall)
New York Concert Review Inc.
"... le Japonais Kotaro Fukuma (29 ans) est une boule de feu qui enflamme le public dans un programme Liszt abouti. Outre une vélocité à bousculer les montagnes (La Chasse, Ronde des Lutins), il fait preuve d’un sens musical sans faille (La Campanella, Un Sospiro) et d’une fluidité sonore accordée à l’esprit des oeuvres."
Aug.29 Annecy Classical Festival
ConcertClassic.com
"...Bachs Klavierkonzert A-Dur, gespielt von dem fabelhaften jungen Japaner Kotaro Fukuma, der sich am Ende dann noch mit einer Franz Liszt Zugabe selbst übertraf."
Aug.16 im Konzerthaus, with YOA Orchestra
"Such an emphasis lent a quite new aspect to a very familiar piece: some of this playing was Chopin interpretation at its unsettling best. In projecting their contrasting atmospheres both Waldesrauschen and Gnomenreigen were likewise memorable and they left us with an immaculate account of the Grandes Etudes de Paganini. Not an evening to forget: perhaps Fukuma's is a major talent."
Jan.11 Wigmore Hall
Fukuma brought the entire program together as in a picture scroll. The performance was full of grandeur, intelligence and romanticism.
December 14th, Tsuda Hall
Ongaku no Tomo
"Un joven con mucha edad."
Feb.09 Sala Mozart
"Perfectly judged and immaculate, this was playing such as one rarely encounters. A fabulous artist, and at 28 a prince among peers."
Jan.11 Wigmore Hall
"Das Publikum liebt den bescheidenen Virtuosen. Und der hat es verdient."
Nov.20 Gewandhaus Mendelssohn-Saal
I was impressed by Fukuma's insight into the music and his transmission of the composer's intention in details. The enthusiastic applause was extended at the end of his performance.
August 15th, Konzerthaus Berlin
Mostly Classic
"Kotaro Fukuma ovationné à la Maison des arts." Le jeu éblouissant, très spectaculaire...lui valu un tonnerre d'applaudissement."
Oct.03 Maison des Arts Ecole de Musique
Le Courrier
"Fukuma comprendió la obra (Die Fackel im Ohr de Francesco Milita) perfectamente, dando sentido expresivo a todas y cada una de las notas de esta monumental composición."
Aug.21 Festival Internacional de Santander
El Diario Montañés
A man of as exceptional talent as I have ever seen.
November 19th, Kioi Hall
Ongaku no Tomo
"Fukuma tiene una forma muy sensible y apasionada de compenetrarse en las piezas que toca, haciendo estremecer de emoción a los espectadores."
Aug.3, Palacio de Festival
Mundo Clasico
"Con un estupendo concierto K.488 traducido con claridad de concepto y esplèndidos recursos interpretativos que alcanzaron su mejor momento en el adagio en el que puso bellos acentos expresivo."
Aug.3 Palacio de Festival, with the Real Filharmonia de Galicia
El Diario Montañés
"Fukuma combines the technical virtuosity with a superb musical sensibility and sensitivity that brings the emotional impact of the works to the surface. The music scene nowadays is overwhelmed with virtuosity but nothing to compare with this young man."
Jun.20, Wigmore Hall
The Churchill Society London
"Exceptional pianist offers dash and nuance"
Apr.13, Historic Asolo Theater
"Fukuma is a man of sound in the first place, imperturbable in his pursuit of sonority... left an inerasable impression."
Feb.13, Linder Auditorium, with the Johannesbourg Philharmonic
Thys Odedaal, Beeld
"Le jeune Kotaro Fukuma compose un programme raffiné, présente chaque oeuvre avec passion, sincérite et humour et joue le tout avec un instinct poétique supérieur."
Sep.25, Musé des Abattoires
"Impression soleil levant..."
Sep.20,.Musee des Abattoires
Under his keen and beautiful tone, the mysterious universe (of Takemitsu) came to light.
September 20th, Paris Archipel
音楽現代
"Magico Fukuma"
Aug.1, Concerti in Monte Argentario
"Standing Ovation for brilliant young pianist with extrovert flair"
Sep.6, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
Mar.11, Lied Center for Performing Arts
Post Lincoln Journal
"Fukuma seemed totally at ease in Bartok's unrelenting Concerto2.
He played with great conviction that never slackened."
Mar.6, Glens Falls High School, with the Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra
The Post Star
"Young pianist triumphs over program's challenges... there are times, when I really, I mean really, love this job. "
November 9th, University of Louisville
"He has already established himself as a concert pianist with a burgeoning international career."
February 11th, Severance Hall
The Plain Dealer
"Fukuma has found a way to avoid the pressure toward interpretive cautiousness that has made the competition circuit so deadly. He played (Brahms) with articulation, coloristic flexibility, and a sense of grandeur couched in terms of sober modesty."
November 18th, Lincoln Center
