Press

“John Friesen was the superb soloist in Saturday’s performance of the concerto. From the dramatic opening his playing seized the attention and never let go. Although tremendously virtuosic in the faster music, it was his playing in the slower, more lyrical passages which particularly caught my ear, with a glowing tone and immaculate phrasing.”
-	- Victoria Times Colonist
“He has the technique to negotiate Bach’s demands with relative ease. The Suite No.1 is appealingly jolly, the Second, deeply tragic and the Third is full of optimistic energy. Friesen plays with obvious enjoyment and commitment, letting Bach speak through his strings.”
	- Seattle Times
“Friesen has a beautiful, rich tone, a long singing line essential to the broodingly lyrical nature of his program and a palette of bow colors wide enough to convey the raspy folklorish quality of Manuel de Falla’s Nana and the lightness of Debussy’s Clair de Lune.”
	- Vancouver Sun
“…John Friesen’s lyrical cello playing deepens the emotional impact. Adding the supplicating cry of his instrument to their material was a masterstroke….”
	- Textura reviews “Shizuku” from Illuha