“Salvatore Sciarrino’s Six Caprices are ambitious, virtuosic showpieces. And Aisha Orazbayeva played them with an ease and directness I have not heard before… the sort of performance and programme that more established violinists wouldn't dare attempt. More power to Orazbayeva’s harmonic-conquering elbows, I say” (Tom Service blogs at The Guardian about the MMus recital by Academy student Aisha Orazbayeva, September 2010)

“Gripping performances left me mentally exhausted but full of admiration for these awe-inspiring young players” (The Strad, May 2004)

“...an ensemble which plays with the attention to detail one would expect from a string quartet, and the character and unanimity of its performances were a constant joy... the quality of the playing, precision and intonation were astonishing” (The Strad reviews Royal Academy Soloists, September 2009)

Lionel Handy teaching

Photo: Lionel Handy teaching at the Academy