“Aurelia-Faidley Solars’ rendition of Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations is impressively executed, tonally attractive, and artistically gratifying. Faidley-Solars’ rich and focused sound, accomplished technique, and thoughtful, elegant phrasing are qualities of a very mature artist. I am also impressed by how deftly she blends the Classical and Romantic elements in this work. The spirit of Mozart (whom Tchaikovsky revered) permeates her elegant and proportioned rendition. But the flashes of Romantic expression are fully embraced as well.”
–Ken Meltzer, Fanfare Magazine
“Absolutely stunning playing!!! Poetic, insightful, exciting, riveting, visceral, passionate, lyrical, exacting, sensitive, idiomatic and of course technically superb! One could go on forever, but of all, she says something. And she says it eloquently!”
– Jack Price
Nick Zanetti's Show Music, Sports Peak Performance
“Aurelia’s fearless performance of the Tchaikovsky Rococo Variations with our Sound Symphony was both deeply musical and impeccably played. She projects so many varieties of sound and emotion from her instrument! She is a gifted soloist with the heart and spirit of a musical collaborator. It was a great pleasure to prepare and perform the piece with her.”
– Dorothy Savitch, Music Director, Sound Symphony, Music Director, Brooklyn Conservatory Community Orchestra
“Young Artist Performances” had the pleasure of hosting the exceptionally talented 13-year-old cellist, Aurelia Faidley, for two remarkable recitals this year. She displayed remarkable skill with precise articulations and an exquisite range of tone colors. What truly impressed us was her ability to interpret the music with the depth and maturity of an artist well beyond her years.
– Joe Gimbel
“She’s a wonderfully gifted 12-year-old with remarkable technique and a musical understanding beyond her years.If you wonder how such a young performer might fare in the Elgar Cello Concerto, Faidley puts on her Jacqueline du Pré cap for a passionately felt introduction”.
– Huntley Dent, New York Classical Review
“Aurelia Faidley, 13, appears to have been born to perform. I am biased toward duPre’s original recording of this masterclass, but Aurelia made me tilt my head. Her communication with the conductor, concertmaster, and the entire cello section was very impressive and showed maturity beyond her years. This young cellist knew the orchestral part inside and out and was able to fully immerse herself inside the Elgar Cello Concerto. Her sound was powerful and each color and emotion was very easily conveyed to her audience. Watching Aurelia perform was like taking an emotional journey through Elgar’s imagination.”
– Times Bulletin (June 20, 2023)
“I was very happy to make music with Aurelia Faidley in May, 2023, with the Elgar Cello Concerto. She is a fine young cellist who plays with great passion and music intensity and lyrical sensitivity that both match the work, and which also seem to come to her completely naturally. In short she plays both with considerable technical mastery, and straight from the heart.”
– Mark Latham, Music Director, New Hampshire Symphony Orchestra, Music Director, Wellesley Symphony Orchestra
“I grew up with the Casals Festival in Barcelona, heard Casals play – and Aurelia has that rare, rare gift, bringing a magical touch to Bach.”