"Playing the 18 études, mostly by memory. But each with its own personality. Not, however, obeying Ligeti’s dictum to play each to the extremist extreme. Instead, each etude both complemented and contrasted the preceding and proceeding one."

"Pianist Taka Kigawa gave a stellar display of this subversion Tuesday evening at (le) poisson rouge, when he played the seven Etudes by Pascal Dusapin."

"Tonight’s concert pulled in its ardent audience from the presence of that astonishing pianist, Taka Kigawa."

"It’s a musical experiment. Who better to interpret it than Mr. Kigawa, with his endlessly curious mind?"

"Kigawa’s playing was impressive – it had to be – but as extraordinary as it was to watch his fingers dance across the rapid, complex passages, the delicacy of his playing was even more striking."

"Mr. Kigawa said that his take on “Catalogue” is longer than others because he tries to take “a lot of space and silence.” These chords were one such instance: Already majestic, they became almost holy in his hands."

"Olivier Messiaen’s “Catalogue d’Oiseaux” (“Catalog of Birds”) is an absurd undertaking for a pianist. Its sprawling score demands that performers master three hours of complex music: the painstakingly transcribed sounds of European birds. The piece is an ideal fit for Taka Kigawa, the adventurous pianist..."

"Taka Kigawa has been highly acclaimed for his performances, especially in modern music repertoires for about last decade."

"Taka Kigawa approached these elegant, playful pieces with his customary clarity and calm. Mr. Kigawa is always a poised guide through the most daunting music... His touch is cool, yet rounded and smooth, and, even at its steeliest, his tone is never rough or harsh."

"Confronted with the Ligeti Etudes, his playing was focused and transparent, never overwrought or unnecessarily dramatic, as appropriate for the nature of this music. Yet at times Kigawa would suddenly catch fire, crashing chords overwhelming..."

"Kigawa brings technical precision and intellectual lucidity to Ligeti’s projects: the pianist’s rigor illuminates the composer’s modernity."

"Kigawa is known for drawing crowds with his unique style, which combines influences ranging from baroque to the most experimental elements of contemporary classical music."

"Mr. Kigawa plays with a fundamental gentleness, even in intense passages, but he brings a precision to the relentless pricks and bristling repetitions in these pieces that’s especially effective."

"The phenomenon of Taka Kigawa supersedes his rare programing or his proficient technique or radiant musicality. Rather, no matter what his selections–whether an evening of John Cage or The Art of the Fugue or last night’s organic musical evolution–Mr. Kigawa is the most vital re-animator, giving life to every note of music which his fingers touch."

"Kigawa is a critically acclaimed concert pianist who doesn’t shy away from a complicated program. Last year he performed the complete solo piano works of Pierre Boulez on a world tour, and he once played The Art of Fugue by Johann Sebastian Bach without sheet music."

"Playing with suavity and nuance, Taka Kigawa took the stage at Le Poisson Rouge last August with a daunting program: all of Pierre Boulez’s works for piano solo."

"Mr. Kigawa’s sharp-edged, exquisitely transparent rendering of the Boulez canon (which won whistles and shouts) was offered on Friday."

Taka Kigawa's recital in April at Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, Argentina was selected as one of the best classical concerts of the year 2014 by Argentine leading newspaper, La Nación. The program was the complete solo piano works of Pierre Boulez.

"Mr. Kigawa emphasized the consistency of Mr. Boulez’s style across time, giving the lie to some who have commented on a more sensual, less arduous feel in the later works. The recital answered strongly: His piano music has always been sensual, and it’s never been particularly arduous to listen to."

"Played by memory, Kigawa showed off his athleticism, remarkable restraint, and delicacy in this lucid and lustrous interpretation."