Mstislav Rostropovich

 "...Brilliant talent - he can be proud of it in front of all world."

Vladimir Spivakov

"...Denis Shapovalov possesses a rare inspired and poetic gift, splendid music orientation, great sensitivity of the ensemble, the ability of penetrating, exposing and delivering the composers concept to the audience."

Rodion Schedrin

  "For the first time we heard Shapovalov in Munich, he was playing Tchaikovsky. Since that time Maya /Plissetskaya/ and me consider him one of the best performers and the best cellist of the planet today."

La nouvelle republique '05

“Don’t sit at home, go and listen to them, it’s worth it! Hats off for your talent, gentlemen Russian musicians!”

Time and Music ‘05

“Performance of a mature cellist Denis Shapovalov became a real adornment of the concert. He merged into the united whirlwind of brilliant passages with the conductor Yuri Bashmet and his orchestra. Cellist’s true mastery was revealed in the ability to tower above the virtuosity and to give the audience minutes of genuine enjoying the Music.”

Moskovskaya Pravda ‘04

“Shapovalov didn’t lose a visual contact for a moment with the orchestra. Between him, the conductor, the first violin and other musicians all the time as if it has been tense a connecting thread. Remarkably excellent playing!”

Sud-Ouest '03

“Shapovalov and Vershinin form an incomparable duo! Сello and piano seem to sound like one instrument. That is astounding!”

Oxford Times ‘02

“Shapovalov is a deeply thoughtful player.”

Financial Times '02

Performance with M.Rostropovich “The young cellist Denis Shapovalov had the unenviable task of playing Shostakovich’s First Cello Concerto while the work’s original soloist was standing next to him. Shapovalov is a fine musician with his own instincts and did well not to sound intimidated by following in the great man’s footsteps.”

The Advocate '01

Performance with pianist A.Vershinin “They play together with an interlocking instinct, a union of style, temperament and understanding, that is exciting to experience. Both are the masters of their instruments.”

The News Journal ‘01

“Shapovalov’s performance does reveal his youthful enthusiasm and aggressive musicianship. It’s a young virtuoso of much promise and a secure future.”

The Advocate '01

Performance with pianist A.Vershinin “They play together with an interlocking instinct, a union of style, temperament and understanding, that is exciting to experience. Both are the masters of their instruments.”

The News Journal ‘01

“Shapovalov’s performance does reveal his youthful enthusiasm and aggressive musicianship. It’s a young virtuoso of much promise and a secure future.”

The Records Geijutsu ’2000

“Young but mature in his musical personality, we can expect much of him in his further career.”

Kolner Stadt-Anzeiger ’99

“In the halo of curly hair, resembling an angel, indeed he plays like an angel with great, extraordinary musicality: it’s a true song of soul.”

Rheinische Post ’99

“He plays with his eyes closed, completely immersed in the sound of his instrument. With great assurance, easily, without any visible effort, the musician performs virtuoso passages, but in the first place he reveals himself as an impeccably refined musician and master of melodism.”

Moscow Musical Herald ‘98

…”Speaking about Schumann's Concerto, too bad not everyone heard Shapovalov's playing. It was a mature and absolutely sincere performance, of which any soloist could be proud and which could be a diamond in the records collection of any music recording company.”

Trud ’98

“When Shapovalov was playing in the Rachmaninov hall, there was no room to move. Denis performed inspiredly. The specialists emphasized, he is “a bright powerful performer with abundant inner life.” ...“Shapovalov performed one of the most romantic pieces of the cello repertoire - Schubert “Arpeggione”, Bach Suite and Schostakovitch Sonata. And once more he showed the purity of the concept, accuracy of incarnation artistry and wealth of colours.” ... “The habitues of the cello contest faced the future with optimism as they knew that their star was going to rise at the skies of the Competition. And the star did rise and it's name is Denis Shapovalov!”

Musical Revue ’98

... “Denis Shapovalov made an excellent impression with his own vigour, taste, technical brilliance. What he does is exciting, sincere, vivid and sovereign. That is what we call “God's Gift”.