Concert Reviews
"Her playing in all the music had a technical assurance that set aside everything for the experience of the beauty of the notes fitting together... As fine as these performances were, they set in relief the satisfaction of Hamada’s program, which was imaginatively made, and superbly played."
By George Grella
May 24, 2021, New York Classical Review
"Throughout, Aya Hamada played with grace, mastery, and le bon goût."
By ERIK RYDING
April 17, 2018, Capriccio Baroque
By JEAN BALLARD TEREPKA
March 29, 2018 , TheaterScene.net
"...Hamada’s elegant styling was a powerful foundation for the performance."
By Sarah Hutchings
February 25, 2023, Palm Beach Daily Review
Performances shine in Palm Beach Opera's 'Così fan tutte'
" Harpsichordist Aya Hamada proved a deft and consistently enlivening presence. "
By Lawrence Budmen
November 4, 2022, South Florida Concert Review
"Aya Hamada provided incisive, continuo work. "
By Lawrence Budmen
November 5, 2021, South Florida Concert Review
"...with expert accompaniment by harpsichordist Aya Hamada."
By James C. Taylor
December 23, 2019, NJ Advance Media
August 2019 — VOL. 84, NO. 2, OPERA NEWS
"...expertly supported by harpsichordist Aya Hamada"
By NANCY PLUM
December 19, 2018, Princeton Town Topics
"Górecki’s Concerto for Harpsichord set Sinfonietta and the spirited soloist Aya Hamada in rollicking unison."
By ALAN LOCKWOOD
June/July 2011, Muso Magazine (UK)
Aya Hamada gave a deft account of Handel’s Organ Concerto in G (Op. 4, No. 1).
By JAMES R. OESTREICH
April 4, 2010, The New York Times
Aya Hamada: la elegancia del clave
Aya Hamada llenó el salón gótico del Castillo del Papa Luna
August 6, 2012
Very Old Instruments Embraced by the Young
By JAMES R. OESTREICH
December 07, 2010, The New York Times
"Harold Meltzer’s 'Virginal'...played gracefully by Aya Hamada"
By ALLAN KOZIN
September 27, 2010, The New York Times
Aya Hamada on harpsichord performing Harold Meltzer's 'Virginal'
Aya Hamada defined the torrent of notes beautifully for the ear, while never sacrificing virtuosity.
By BARBARA ZUCK
March 14, 2008, The Columbus Dispatch
"'Vo far Guerra,' was punctuated by Aya Hamada's vigorous harpsichord cadenza"
By RICHRD HOUDEK
July 9, 2005, The Berkshire Eagle
Christie on the Need for Baroque Specialists
By LUKE CONKLIN
May-August 2010, The Juilliard Journal
"... harpsichordist, Aya Hamada, accompanied in a polished, accomplished way"
By BARBARA ZUCK
December 15, 2007, The Columbus Dispatch
Aya Hamada has played a wide variety of repertoire for me in New York, Paris and at the Piccola Accademia di Montisi masterclasses.
Her combination of quick comprehension and impressive discipline makes her an engaging collaborator.
She has chosen to meet the diverse challenges of Bach, Scarlatti and Soler, Couperin and Rameau... All the best to her for the forthcoming concerts in Japan!
Skip Sempé
(message for the 2012 recital brochure)
Mind/body/spirit. The equilibrium of these elements are in constant play while performing Bach's Goldberg Variations.
Aya Hamada performed the Goldberg Variations this spring at The Juilliard School in New York as her graduate recital program. In her performance of this challenging work, Aya excelled in calling forth these three life affirming forces and gave great joy to her New York audience. I wish her great success in her recitals in Japan.
Kenneth Weiss
The Juilliard School / Le Conservatoire de Paris (CNSMDP)
(message for the 2011 recital brochure)
Ms. Hamada entered into the brand new historical performance masters degree program at The Juilliard School in New York this year. Aya is one of a very select group of musicians chosen for this program from all over the world.
She is a very advanced keyboard player, agile and skillful, in possession of a wealth of knowledge necessary to properly interpret the repertoire of the 17th and 18th centuries. It is a pleasure to be her teacher and I wish this accomplished New Yorker great success in her concerts in her home country of Japan.
Kenneth Weiss
The Juilliard School / Le Conservatoire de Paris (CNSMDP)
(message for the 2010 recital brochure)