A trio brings big emotion to the chamber repertory

...an uncommon degree of heart-on-the-sleeve emotional frankness...the ensemble’s unanimity of approach — vivid engagement carried by soaring, ripely Romantic playing — proved quite splendid. Its performance possessed a passionate single-mindedness that wound up serving all of the score’s varied moods, right through to a finale of exhilarating panache. It’s not often that a chamber performance makes a listener long to hear all the ensemble members in the big-concerto repertoire, but this one certainly did.

— The WASHINGTON POST

"...incredible ensemble, passionate playing, articulate and imaginative ideas, and wide palette of colours. Performed with sensitivity, panache and emotional depth, [Ravel's Piano Trio] perfectly displayed the Lysander Trio’s enormous potential." 

— The STRAD

Classical Trio Graced Audience with Passion

"Though they played three different instruments, the trio came together as one sound. The performers adjusted to each other, complementing their peers’ passion and drive. The three artists transitioned between movements and moods effortlessly, a skill that has been refined during their years of playing together. These graceful transitions were not limited to their music. After each set, the three performers alternated between introducing the next piece and its composer. “I came in blind, and was really surprised (by) how amazing they were,” said sophomore Clara Suh. “That was fantastic.”"

— PURDUE EXPONENT

The Art of Collaboration, In Action

"... the excellent Lysander group... Ms. Stepanova, who demonstrated technical assurance and thoughtful musicality throughout the program, played with a limpid touch in the opening of Schubert...and fleet-fingered panache in John Musto’s colorful, rhythmically vivid and energetic Piano Trio (1998). She had fine partners in Mr. Zorman and Mr. Katz, who both whom performed with rich sound and nuanced musicianship in the varied works, resulting in a finely hued collaboration among the three musicians...."

— The NEW YORK TIMES

The Youths’ Magic Strings

The Lysander Piano Trio played [Shostakovich's early Piano Trio No. 1] fully formed, with the kind of vitality and enthusiasm which perhaps can only be found in such a highly talented group... [In John Musto's Piano Trio] above all the three showed their technical mojo. Pianist Liza Stepanova had music which could have been played by Oscar Peterson, playful piano-playing which always reached its mark, while the two Israelis, Itamar Zorman and Michael Katz, had that all-American spirit which Mr. Musto gave them... 
 [Jakub Ciupinski's Commissioned Work] was arresting, haunting, and in its own way absolutely gorgeous... [Brahms' Piano Trio in C Major] was played with love by these three... The encore was truly special. Moshe Zorman, father of the violinist, is a noted composer himself, and his own Trio was offered. A jaunty series of tunes ... were played with delightful gusto. It was a fitting tribute from son to father, and in essence, from artists to their audience."

— ConcertoNET

Lysander Piano Trio Brings French Elegance to Richardson Auditorium

"... The Lysander Piano Trio, formed at the Juilliard School, is less than ten years old, but is nevertheless a major ensemble player on the chamber music scene.  The Lysander Trio came to Princeton last Tuesday night for a concert at Richardson Auditorium which showed that the appeal of these three instruments together has never faded, from the time of Mozart to the present day... Pianist Liza Stepanova, violinist Itamar Zorman, and cellist Michael Katz performed five works dating after the mid-19th century and representing several regions of Europe and the United States.  ... From the outset of Tuesday night’s concert, the Lysander Trio brought out the drama and grace in the music. ... An encore by Czech composer and violinist Josef Suk displayed majestic piano chords and luxurious violin lines to the very enthusiastic audience at Richardson to bring the musical evening to a close. "

― TOWN TOPICS, Princeton

Minnesota's best classical music concerts bubbled with optimism in 2017 [10 best events of the year]

"Tchaikovsky’s Piano Trio, LOFTrecital, Sept. 16: This free chamber recital at the Museum of Russian Art served up free cocktails and snacks, along with great music and an eyeful of beautiful oil paintings. It was a standout (both sonically and visually) from one of the Twin Cities’ most envelope-pushing companies."

— The STAR TRIBUNE, Minneapolis

Lysander Piano Trio creates flawless evening of music

Young and energetic, this group let the crowd know from the downbeat of the opening Shostakovich "Piano Trio No. 1 in C minor, Opus 8" that they were here to play their hearts out and have a good time doing it...

The Mendelssohn "Piano Trio in D Minor, Opus 49" rounded out the playbill. Flawless technique from Stepanova set the scene for the underlying arpeggios of movement one. A ravishing andante second movement opened with its simple melody embraced by all... Mendelssohn would have loved the way the Lysander Piano Trio played it.

— Lincoln Journal Star

Concert Artists Guild Encores! at Carnegie Weill Recital Hall

"... Gilad Cohen's Around the Cauldron, was commissioned by the Lysander Trio, and they performed this delightful brew as though they owned it. Michael Katz on the cello teases and plays with his partners, sometimes plucking, sometimes pulling out sounds you never heard before, screeches that come direct from Macbeth.  Itarnar Zorman plays the violin like a sweet madman, both tearing around and then delivering lovely lines.  Liza Stepanova, who was the second part of the duo in the Hindemith, is both a wonderful partner and a shining soloist.  She joins in the elegant, exuberant joy of her trio mates...
Gabriel Fauré's famous quartet for piano and strings concluded the program.  Jennifer Stumm joined the Lysander for a classic performance of the piece. Concert Artists Guild clearly selects excellent artists to join their program to jump start the careers of young musicians.  Watching young talent grow is a privilege for audiences."

― BERKSHIRE FINE ARTS