SAN FRANCISCO “Belcher commanded the toothsome sounds of Brombaugh’s Op. 20 in her delightful program… Her adornments in [Bach’s Prelude and Fugue, BWV 547] were classy and dramatic, placed at the perfect moments. Belcher’s presentation of Sweelinck’s Da pacem, Domine and Onder een Linde groen was an absolute study in artful détaché. The constant stream of figures painted tension in the former’s desperate plea and ‘sunshine and daisies’ in the latter’s constant joy. All this was born of Sweelinck’s brilliance of composition and Belcher’s emotionally intelligent interpretations … Belcher drew the very finest out of this treasure of a pipe organ.”
–The American Organist
DENVER “Belcher showed her brilliant technique and rhythmic drive ...” –The American Organist
BOSTON “The greater the technical challenge, the greater she seemed to relish it. To her fleet and sure-fingered accounts of Vierne’s Naïades and Toccata there was effortless brilliance.” –The American Organist “Ms. Belcher’s technical ability, often bordering on athletic agility, was brilliantly displayed ...” –The Diapason
KANSAS CITY “Graceful, elegant playing.” “These works [Gigout and Saint-Saëns] … produced an organic crescendo of intensity into the monumental architecture of Widor’s Symphonie Gothique. Ms. Belcher’s fine technique, rhythmic drive, and musicianship, paired with this orchestral organ, served up this masterful piping hot!” –The American Organist
CLEVELAND “A formidable virtuoso, Belcher played ... with authority and zest.” –The Plain Dealer
HALIFAX, CANADA “Belcher began with a Prelude and Fugue in A Minor by Brahms, boldly taking charge of the musical energy from the first chord, and playing with such command of imagery and design that Horowitz at the piano came to mind …” “… anyone with even half an ear for musical elegance, clarity, projection and mastery of style could not fail to respond to Belcher’s inspiring appetite for giving composers the opportunity to take their best shot.” “… Belcher brought not only musical understanding but a definitive sense of the style, and a thorough knowledge of what the St. Matthew’s Casavant can do.” “… an amazing display of musical virtuosity of the highest order.” –The Chronicle Herald
NORFOLK (VA) “With such great technical command of the instrument, Belcher was able to explore – and make sense of – the most difficult musical language … she gave physical shape to every musical gesture with her perfect timing. It is a language she understands well and that she used effectively to communicate directly to the listeners.” –The Virginian-Pilot
LITTLE ROCK “Diane Meredith Belcher played an exciting recital ... Ms. Belcher showed great flair and sensitivity in her playing, with a wonderful feeling of internal rhythm and movement.” –The American Organist “... splendid, fully-satisfying performances ... she is the real thing – an organist with all the technical and interpretive skills anyone could want.” “The Wildwood Festival imports many artists each season, but I doubt that any performer brought in for the festival has the artistic integrity and power that Belcher has. This is a performer who knows how to deliver the goods.” –Arkansas Times
ORLANDO “Diane Meredith Belcher showed Tuesday evening what more experienced artistry is.” –The Orlando Sentinel
MEMPHIS “... catering to a full house ... Diane Meredith Belcher proceeded to light a fire under us with a concert of 20th-century compositions.” –The American Organist
GREENSBORO (NC) “inspired drama and flair … The artist gave each movement an authoritative and profound reading … Not a soul stirred for a long time after she released the final chord. Brava!” –Classical Voice of North Carolina
COLUMBIA (SC) “... a performance that was serious without pretense, joyous without frivolity and thoroughly captivating.” –The State
CHARLESTON (WV) “Belcher played admirably ... Her definition of texture and musical line was full of finely hued detail and crisp precision.” –The Charleston Gazette
ANAHEIM “... Diane Meredith Belcher turned in a brilliant account capped by the Reger Second Sonata ...” –The American Organist
WILKES-BARRE “Belcher is a virtuoso organist who easily ranks with the leading organists in the United States – if not in the world.” –The Times Leader
RECORDINGS
The Great Skinner Organ at Girard College
“She is a virtuoso organist to rank with any, and plays with rare poise and pacing as well as exceptional mastery.” –The New Records
“Her untrammeled abandon and keen emotional sensitivity are perfectly adapted to the romantic style.” –Clavier
“... whose playing is glowingly brilliant, rhythmically vibrant, consistently expressive, and full of both atmosphere and personality – in short, everything that artistic organ playing should be.” –American Record Guide
The New Glatter-Götz/Rosales Organ at Claremont United Church of Christ
“Gigantic! A CD that is addictive! … Diane Meredith Belcher’s playing … is exemplary in every respect. She … masterfully expresses the essence of each composition as it unfolds.” —Orgel International
“Belcher is a solid player, displaying both technique and thorough knowledge of historic styles. Her Bach is clear and expressive …” —American Record Guide
“… the whole programme, which is played with musicianship, flair and poise, a fine ear for colour and the ability to marry the organ perfectly to every style which it is called to adopt.” —Organists’ Review
“A highly diverse programme … She plays with admirable musicianship throughout …” —Choir & Organ
“… this Diane Meredith Belcher recital … is the best.” (Golden Ear Award) —The Absolute Sound
AWARDS
Winner, 2000 Golden Ear Award, The Absolute Sound
Winner, 1998 Outstanding Keyboard Soloist, The Arkansas Times
Second Prize, 1988 Grand Prix de Chartres International Organ Competition, France
Winner, 1987 S. Lewis Elmer Award, The American Guild of Organists
Second Prize, 1985 St. Albans International Organ Competition, England
Photo Credits: Ron Belanger (Glatter-Götz/Rosales Organ, Disney Hall, Los Angeles), Diane Meredith Belcher (Skinner Organ op. 708, All Saints Church, Ashmont)