“Maestro Handel is a ‘messiah’ for Orchestra"
The Miami Herald, Florida, USA
“David Handel elevates El Paso Symphony Orchestra… Mesmerizing…. The postured Handel, who grew more animated with each movement, kept it on track, on time and on the spot … you could sense an almost magical connection between the music, the musicians and the conductor. Not only did the crowd respond with a loud and long standing ovation, but the musicians applauded him at length, something I haven't seen in three years of covering their concerts…. By making those musicians sound as good and alive as they did, and in such convincing fashion, Handel has to have established himself as a very strong front-runner …”
El Paso Times, Texas, USA
“The young maestro and envoy of American culture, David Handel - who posses European education of the highest order (he was assistant to Kurt Masur at the Leipzig Gewandhaus) - currently occupies a leadership role in Latin America… The debut of David Handel in Moscow forms part of the presidential mission Medvedev-Obama, as announced by the United States Ambassador… The refined conductor provoked a hurricane of emotional admiration in the hall… It was clear that Handel worked in great detail with the musicians of the Russian Philharmonic… It has been a long time since the Orchestra has demonstrated so excellent and stylized playing. Indeed, one sensed the strong hand of a truly professional conductor, … who was not only able to bring out the form, but also filling it with every detail of its content. It is clear that in the communication with various conductors, the great creative potential of the ensemble’s musicians has been awakened, above all when on the podium there is so brilliant a professional as David Handel… The orchestra sounded luxuriously and grandly ‘in tutti’.”
Magazine CULTURE, Moscow, Russia
“An impressive personality and demanding musician… David Handel, who got a sustained ovation at the last concert… threaded the beautiful melody from the guitar (Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez) gently to keep it from being covered by the orchestra, yet allowed its strong interpretation flow through. The performance blew the audience away both nights… What a trip… Handel whipped up the orchestra in fine style… Handel lets all hell break loose (Berlioz’s “Fantastic Symphony”) with instruments going and blowing one moment, then shushes to solemnity before a return to heavy uproar. The audience went wild. Handel took so many bows he looked like a puppet on strings. He ‘took no prisoners’ keeping the orchestra in tow and in line! …”
“My experience with David Handel was extraordinary. During my long career, David is one of the best conductors with whom I have had the pleasure to collaborate. He possesses all the important and necessary qualities to be music director of any orchestra, even the most important. His great musicality, human touch, technical mastery and intelligence makes it possible for him to elevate the level of any orchestra."
Pepe Romero, legendary guitarist
"Handel's decisive style brought cohesive, blended sounds, precise attacks, and bold dynamics from the orchestra, in a performance that was polished, expressive and full of carefully shaped phrases throughout ..."
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Wisconsin, USA
"Handel has brought the National Symphony of Bolivia to levels of public awareness and excellence heretofore unknown. His energetic podium manner and repose in real life are fresh air in our midst."
COSAS, Syndicated Magazine, South America
“Much more than pure joy… The capacity crowd of more than 2,000 gave a massive’ YES’ to this performance… The extremely notable interpretation of this universal classic (Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony), under the direction of Maestro David Handel, revealed the true vigor of the original score… Every one of the singularities of each of the four movements was indicated by Handel with mathematical precision, but was at the same time filled with enchantment… All were received with an extended standing ovation… Musicians and public alike were radiant with joy”
Diario UNO, Mendoza, Argentina
"Replete with interesting variety... Emphasis was placed on rhythmic appeal. Fluid sections with ritardandi were particularly effective... Equally impressive in shape and accomplishment was the melancholy and dramatic... where Handel's attentive conducting was also remarkable for its sensitivity."
The Sunday Times, Malta
“The public burst into applause… Yes, the concert was truly great; not only for the opportunity to enjoy the musicianship of violinist Schlomo Mintz, but because the Orchestra was so solidly guided by its music director David Handel in a well balanced program, full of emotion and one intelligently delineated.”
Los Andes, Mendoza, Argentina