The greatest fun in my whole week with the Columbus Symphony was Benjamin Ramirez playing the opening of Haydn’s Drum Roll Symphony. Each night he improvised a new Intrada to the delight of me and the audience. Top notch playing in every way. ~ Nicholas McGegan
In Richard Strauss’ Burleske, Hamelin showed himself to be an artist in his prime, melding technique and interpretation seemingly without effort…The orchestra was a respectful accompanist, and from its midst timpanist Benjamin Ramirez was a convincing foil to Hamelin’s solo piano , nabbing by stealth the final word. ~ Jennifer Hambrick
Tuesday’s concert ended with Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring…The balances were extraordinary: never before had I heard distinctions between the dual timpanists delineated so plainly…Yet the account was not a thing of parts, but rather a seamless, compelling whole. ~ Steve Smith
Maazel and the NSO made the most of the piece, such as it is. The Scherzo section had biting energy, with fine playing by [Benjamin Ramirez] on timpani. ~ Robert Battey
One thing [Leonid Hambro] patently knows is how Bartok’s music should go. And, throughout this concert, so did his younger colleagues Robert Merfeld (piano)…Timothy Genis and Benjamin Ramirez (percussion). ~ Richard Buell