Review from Recital 10 September, 2025 at St. Nicholas Church, Brighton
“Downs relishes the tonal pitch and variety, the cafe insouciance and lyrical Modernism of these delightful miniatures” (Kabalevsky op. 5 – Four Preludes)
“A grand tenebrous opening is also brisk and powerfully-voiced…Toccata touches off with a flourish of E minor dark, the key of grieving. Downs’ pressure exhibits a flicker of organ sonority in his otherwise light touch.” (Bach, Partita No 6 in E minor BWV830)
“The obsessive finale – one of Beethoven’s greatest – it [is] played secco by Downs, but allowing the end of phrases to linger in a thespian attitude… Downs’ ratchets up the tension but not the rhetoric so it sears home with a resounding sad yes.” (Beethoven op.31 no. 2, Sonata 17 (Tempest)
“Full of sweeping glissando at its climax, it’s also a study in chimes and tolling. Raining like ‘La Cathedral Engloutée’ it pitches above the waves before figuratively sinking again. Magnificent.” (Tidal Bell)
“It’s utterly memorable. And Downs’ is already a very fine communicator. Personable and a true showman as well as [a] virtuoso” (Overall comment on recital)
Review by Dr. Simon Jenner. Published on Brighton Fringe Review and on View from the Gods
Finalist in Lancashire Choir of the Year as Music Director of Lancaster Millennium Choir
“I sang with this choir at Christmas. Dominic had worked wonders, and I was hugely impressed at the incredible preparation he had made for the concert.” (Guest Baritone Soloist, David Twizell)
Review from recital on 24 February 2025 at Mill Hill Library, London, a Miele Canto event :
“Our audience members were stunned by his talent and his ability to take us through the journey of each piece.”
Audience and Participant Feedback from 4 January 2025 Masterclass at Yamaha Music School, Blyth.
Thoroughly enjoyed Dominic’s masterclass in Blyth. He had some great feedback for all the students, from technical skill development to stylistic interpretation and delivery. He has a lovely manner of communicating to both young people and adults. Fiona (audience member and piano teacher)
An inspiring and engaging masterclass with Dominic! I was so impressed with how much focus he gave me. He has impressive knowledge of different styles. Oliver, (masterclass participant, aged 15).
Review from 21 November – 2024 Recital, Christ Church Southport
Pianist and composer Dominic Downs made his Christ Church debut today to a crowd that might have been adversely affected by a train breakdown on the Ormskirk line, for Christ Church, which has been consistently at capacity, received only half of its usual attendees.
Those who couldn’t make it missed out on the performance of a true virtuoso. Mr Downs’ interpretation of Chopin’s famous «Nocturne in C minor, Op. 48, N.º 1» should have been recorded for posterity, for it had all the dramatic poetry that this piece epitomizes without any of the exaggerations some modern recordings tend to have.
Another piece that stood out to me was Mr Downs’ own composition, Tidal Bell. It’s quite apparent that Mr Downs is a great pianist, but he might be an even better composer: his original piece had the forceful, passionate impact of any good mature composition, and sounded like it did belong amongst pieces by Chopin or Chaminade.
Review by Jorge Luis Perez Armijos published on PandaPiano Blogspot , via Facebook on the Southport News Page and on QLocal
Audience feedback from 3 October 2024 recital at Greyfriars, Edinburgh.
‘Here is a rising star’.
‘The final movement of Haydn’s Eb sonata was brimming with elements of humour, technical
brilliance and poise.’
‘After reading the programme notes about Dominic Downs’ musical career, my expectations
were high. I was not disappointed. He began by communicating directly with the audience,
giving an interesting and illuminating commentary on the pieces he was going to perform.
When he started to play, I was enthralled by his authoritative delivery.’
His choice of music was excellent and well-balanced. The spritely textures of the two Mozart
fantasies were followed by the darker tones of the three Chopin Nocturnes. Next, the
Chaminade étude provided a delightful contrast in pace and colour. Dominic’s last piece, a
Haydn sonata (played impressively from memory) was a rich, passionate demonstration of his
mastery of the piano.
Simon Parkin, adjudicator, EPTA UK National Competition, 4 February 2024.
‘[Dominic] kept the listener gripped [with] great delicacy of sound …he really took care of every note…a very imaginative and enjoyable performance, there’s an individual character to his playing that I very much enjoyed.’
Dominic was delighted to be awarded first place in the 18+ age group.
BBC1 NW Tonight 23 October 2023.
Described as ‘An exceptional talent with a bright future ahead of him’
Lancaster Guardian, 17 October 2023.
“Dominic is now a popular recital pianist, with a loyal fanbase in the North West, performing both classical and jazz programmes.”
David Collins, Lakeland Composers Bulletin
Published Review ‘Dominic’s playing is assured and mature, with genuine musical exploration’. 23 May 2023 Recital in Lancaster.
Linton Stephens (BBC Radio 3 Presenter)
RNCM ‘Under-represented’ competition judge, Radio 3 presenter and bassoonist Linton Stephens described Dominic as the pianist who ‘really drew me in with his performance’, on awarding him first prize (March 2023)
