Solo Performance Reviews

“Michael Hernandez is an outstanding and unique musician. His sense of musical phrasing is inspiring to me as a violinist. It is rare to find such an extraordinary talent!”

— Margret Batjer, concertmaster of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra

“Michael’s great performance was so gripping, shinning, energetic, and powerful, that made my music touching and enjoyable”

- Chen Yi , composer

“Michael played with both passion and wonderful technique, sweeping the audience into the warmth of his tone.”

— Peace Memorial Concert Series (Clearwater, FL)

“Hernandez’s rich and lush tone offers an unfettered palette of colors that constantly react to the emotional need of the music. His musical intelligence, his talent and his spirit of adventure make him a strong musical collaborator.”

-Nicole Paiement, Artistic Director/Conductor- Opera Parallèle

“A world-class performer, Michael can make the soprano saxophone sing like an angel. Words cannot describe the magic that happens when this superb artist performs!”

—The Artist Series of Tallahassee

“A virtuosic musician, his performances have been wonderful!”

—Downtown Chamber Series (Phoenix, AZ)

“Michael Hernandez is truly a unique player with a special understanding on playing my music. His playing is a total amalgamation of tone, color, balance, drive, and line that gives the listener a path into the music that is unique and all encompassing.”

—Marc Mellits, composer

“The saxophone solo by Michael Hernandez in The Old Castle, stands out for me for its pure musicality and its quiet dominance”

—Stephen Shaw ,The Santa Cruz Sentinel

“Such a saxophone sound and musicianship from one who must certainly be among the finest soprano saxophone artists of the present generation.”

— Dr. Ronald Caravan - former Professor of clarinet and saxophone at Syracuse University

Chamber Performance Reviews

““A pleasure to hear such excellent work. Mana Quartet is a fabulous ensemble with a wide-ranging array of tonal color”

—David Harrington - founder/violinist, Kronos Quartet

“ The MANA Quartet is a top-notch ensemble that combines great musicianship with irresistible passion.”

—Anne-Marie McDermott, Artistic Director of Bravo! Vail-Valley Music Festival

“Their musicality is exceptional and based on solid scholarship paired with fine instinct.”

—Marzena Diakun, Conductor-Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France

“ MANA performed with absolute focus, technical superiority and impressive ensemble.”

—Gemma New, Principal conductor of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra

“MANA is a beautifully balanced ensemble and a new bright light in the world of chamber music”

—Ellen Taaffe Zwilch, Pulitzer Prize-Winning American Composer

“A vigorous and accomplished ensemble who deserve every success”

—Charles Wuorinen, Pulitzer Prize-Winning American Composer

“The Mana Saxophone Quartet plays with emotional intensity and precision that few can match.”

—Mathew Rosenblum, Co-Founder of Music on the Edge Series