PRESS (SELECTION).
With Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Berlin, Philharmonie:
“The pianist Karola Theill was a real discovery; after her sensitive
and concentrated delivery of the most demanding piano part she deserved
a bouquet of flowers at the very least.
Der Tagesspiegel, Berlin, 1990
With Matthias Goerne, Berlin Schloss Bellevue:
“...the gifted Karola Theill was undaunted by all these difficulties.
Her playing of the piano accompaniment was strikingly lithe and lively.”
Die Welt, 1990
With Klaus Häger (from the Hamburg State Opera)
“The special concert” of the Bamberger Symphoniker:
“From [Zemlinsky’s] Fantasy on Poems of Richard Dehmel...Karola Theill
performed two pieces with the utmost refinement of touch. In the lieder
by Zemlinsky and Schoenberg that followed, the Cologne pianist again
brought a high degree of subtlety: she can turn an ordinary forte into a
real event.”
Fränkischer Tag, 1993
With the Mandelring Quartet, Lindau International
Chamber Concerts:
“...Schumann’s Piano Quintet was the concluding high point. With
remarkable ensemble playing, Karola Theill and the Mandelring Quartet
ignited a virtual fireworks display of Romantic passion, giving
expression both to Schumann’s tempestuous and dramatic side and to his
intimate and sensitive side.”
Lindauer Zeitung, 1994
With Gabriele Rossmanith and Klaus Häger
(both from the Hamburg State Opera), Hamburg, Kleine Musikhalle:
“The small vocal form, an intimate venue, splendid voices and an
excellent accompanist made for a most pleasurable combination...Karola
Theill at the piano played her due part in ensuring the concert’s
reception with powerful applause.”
Hamburger Abendblatt, 1996
With Scot Weir, Wiesbaden International May Festival:
“For this and other insights into the art of the Romantic Lied, we
owe a debt of gratitude to Scot Weir and the discreet accompaniment of
his piano partner, Karola Theill, who supported the singer’s intentions
with structural clarity.”
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, 2000
“The pianist Karola Theill unfolded a panorama of tonal colours ranging
all the way from percussive high-register strokes to refined
arabesques.”
Wiesbadener Tageblatt, 2000
With Catherine Veillereube, Frankfurt, Festeburg Concerts:
“The sole outstanding accompanist was pianist Karola Theill, who not
only performed her part with authority but also distinguished herself
by an impressively cultivated touch and technical mastery, particularly
in French songs.”
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, 2004
“Mohr was sympathetically accompanied by Karola Theill. The pianist’s playing was discreetly restrained during the vocal passages, giving the tenor the basis to unfold the full potential of his interpretations upon the carpet of sound she wove for him. Her solo playing captivated the listener with its clear voicing and interpretative intelligence.”
Hamburger Abendblatt, 2006
With Silvia Weiss, Kasseler Musiktage
“The lieder pianist Karola Theill was a fabulous interpreter - and, after playing the ironically over-the-top accelerandi in one of the Heine songs, received a special and well-deserved round of applause.
Hessisch/Niedersächsische Allgemeine, 2008
With Silvia Weiss
Richard Strauss Institut, Garmisch-Partenkirchen
"...the
singing was raised to virtual perfection by the piano accompaniment of
Karola Theill. With her gentle touch, the technically brilliant pianist
managed never to dominate – although the piano lid was opened wide.
Instead the piano part wonderfully supported the vocal part and
augmented it."
Münchner Merkur, 2009
With Benjamin Bruns
Musikverein Wien
"Outstanding performed his accompanist Karola Theill, who worked already
with Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau and who is Professor at the "Hanns Eisler
Hochschule", Berlin, and in Rostock; a highest ranking Lied-Pianist."
Kronenzeitung, Wien, 2011