Mario Beltran del Rio impresses in his New York debut at Carnegie Hall. He made a strong impression and he is obviously a serious artist, as his avoidance of skittish of sentimental pieces might suggest. His playing was clear, precise, beautifully in tune and altogether the result of careful planning and preparation.
More important, Mr. Beltran del Rio displayed acute sensitivity to the rise and fall of musical phrases and to the opportunities for inflection of both dynamics and rhythm.
Allen Hughes, New York Times.
Highly talented, Beltran del Rio proved to be on the road that leads great artists to success.
Die Tat, Zürich, Switzerland
After the third encore we asked ourselves how many more would be correct to ask for, but finally we restrained ourselves of politeness.
Salzburger Volksblatt.
Mozarteum, Salzburg, Austria
Surprisingly young and marvelously gifted, he displays a complete domination of his métier and his art, at the beginning of a career as concert soloist full of promises already fulfilled. He has reached that degree of perfection where mere virtuosity of technique is forgotten in the presence of the magic of an authentic poetry.
Pierre Claudin, Nancy, France
His enormous technical capacity and mature musicianship, places Mario Beltran del Rio as one of the greatest “maestros” of the guitar.
Scala, West Germany.
Mario Beltran del Rio showed himself to be a virtuoso full of character. With Iberian music he achieved marvelous colouring effects. He took advantage of a flexible interpretation, full of hues and rich in contrasts to achieve perfectly executed effects for the subtleties of the Bach and Weiss suites.
O.Pi. Volkstimme. Vienna, Austria
To the handful of excellent classical guitarists in the world today add Mario Beltran del Rio. He is an incredible artist. He showed himself a consummate technician and master of his instrument.
Walt Amacker. News Leader. Richmond, Virginia
Beltran del Rio was able not only to excite his public but also to carry it away. Clearly showing that having reached the highest level of technical mastery, he is not only concerned with the highest artistic feats but also has achieved a stature commensurate with that mastery.
Der Bund, Berne, Switzerland.
The guitar artistry of Mario Beltran del Rio defies that usual vocabulary critical praise. What are the superlatives for musicality and sensitivity? He proved himself to be, not merely a guitarist of surpassing skill, but an instrumentalist who stands comparison with the finest musicians of our day.
Stephen Kennamer, Richmond Times Dispatch
Richmond, Virginia, USA.
Beltran del Rio showed an amazing perspicacity for the different sounds the guitar can produce. He embodies the most dramatic feelings of the highly structured baroque mold.
J.P.M., Michigan Daily
Ann Arbor Mich.