Acclaim

"Majestic accents and technical challenges were put over with seeming ease by this skilled organist....
Ryan played György Ligeti's Etude coulée with an impenetrable flowing...real virtuosity....
This difficult, brilliant and impressive work [Duruflé Veni Creator, Op. 4] left the audience in breathless awe, only to break out in greater applause."

Reutlingener Generalanzeiger
Reutlingen, Germany

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"Jonathan Ryan demonstrates his virtuosity...  The order of works was refreshingly varied...Marcel Dupré's Prelude and Fugue in B Major was the ideal conclusion to the recital: powerful effects, on a broad scale: virtuoso, rapid, never-ending runs, responses in far-away parts of the organ, bustling motion in sharp rhythmic pulses and bombastic Tutti --- this was the mark of a top-class organist"

Konstanzer Kulturleben
Konstanz, Germany

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"More impressive than the thrilling crescendo and climax of Bach’s Sinfonia from Cantata 29 or the virtuosic Etude Coulée of György Ligeti, was the intimate, emotional phrasing of the Bach Fourth Trio Sonata’s Andante movement....Virtuoso as he is, Ryan programmed many reflective pieces.  Surely Ryan’s performance [of George Oldroyd's Liturgical Improvisation No. 1] evoked the peaceful countryside for as the piece ended, a sigh escaped from the audience as everyone came back to reality....Ryan had given the Lincoln audience exposure to the perfect shaping and expressiveness of his performance—he made the organ speak, and it spoke to everyone’s lives and hopes."

Lincoln Classical Music Examiner
Lincoln, NE

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"A rare, not-to-be-missed performer....

Jonathan Ryan's recital at the Cathedral was nothing short of spectacular....

Jonathan worked long hours to learn the organ and its secrets (Bedient, French-romantic, 1986).  Many said the organ had never sounded this well....

The well-balanced program was full of delighted surprises....There have been many recordings of the Dupré "Passion Symphony"; none can lay claim to a more inspired and therefore exciting performance than Jonathan's.  One local, well-regarded organist in the audience was moved to tears.....

We honestly cannot wait to have him back."

Scott Turkington, Organist & Choirmaster
Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Charleston, SC

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“It was an exceptional joy to host the recent performance by Jonathan Ryan. It became quickly apparent from the opening virtuosity exhibited in Messiaen’s Transports de joie that Ryan not only possesses a solid technique, but behind this technique is a dynamic and world-class artist. His diverse programming, combined with his colorful choice of registrations, covered a wide-span of repertoire from the sonic brilliance of Ligeti’s Etude coulée to the exquisite balance and musical performance of Bach’s Trio Sonata in E minor. Ryan’s offering of several gems by Sir George Shearing  made for an enjoyable foil to his deeply moving and mature performance of Duruflé’s triptych on Veni Creator. In the hands of Jonathan Ryan, this work was delivered with conviction, a strong architectural awareness, and a clear picture of a musician with head and heart at one. Ryan’s performance was a highlight of our growing series, which was evident in the lengthy applause of our most appreciative audience."

Matthew Michael Brown, Artistic Director
FirstARTS Series, First United Methodist Church, Salisbury, NC

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“Jonathan Ryan’s concert at California Lutheran University was a complete success.  Even weeks later, people are still coming up to me to rave about his technical skill, poise, and imaginative programming.  It was the perfect event to kick off the 20th anniversary celebration of the Steiner-Reck pipe organ in Samuelson Chapel.”

Dr. Kyle Johnson, Lecturer in Music & Coordinator of Chapel Music/University Organist
California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, CA

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"Jonathan Ryan's playing is elegant in all genres and periods of the organ repertoire. Particularly stunning were the Bach Prelude and Fugue in D Major, the Balbastre Noël and the Tournemire Improvisation on the "Te Deum". His superb artistry, both technically and musically, make him one of the finest young performers in the organ world today." 

Dr. Margaret Kemper
Associate Professor, School of Music, Northwestern University
Director of Music/Organist, Presbyterian Homes, Evanston, IL
Past President, American Guild of Organists

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“As one of the featured artists on the dedication series of the Conroy Memorial Organ, Jonathan Ryan’s rock-solid technique and artistry confirmed that he is a bona fide virtuoso and bound to become a star amongst stars.  He presented a well-balanced program that not only showcased the different colors of the instrument very well, but also dazzled the audience with exciting performances of works by Bach, Balbastre, George Shearing, David Conte, Karg-Elert and Dupré.”

Dr. Rudy de Vos, Director of Music & Organist
Cathedral of Christ the Light, Oakland, CA

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"As a headline performer on our Kansas City series for the fall of 2010, Jonathan Ryan, presented a thoughtful program with remarkable musicianship.  Performing from memory with an intuitive sense to find colors of the instrument,  he engaged a broad spectrum of the audience with a variety of works by Bach, Balbastre, George Shearing, and David Conte in the first half.  He finished the program with a masterful performance of the Passion Symphony of Dupré which brought the listeners to their feet."

Dr. Kenneth Walker, Dean
Greater Kansas City Chapter, American Guild of Organists

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"A superlative and well-balanced program that demonstrated Jonathan's brilliant technique, stylistic awareness, and sensitivity. Particularly remarkable was his ability to choose an endless variety of imaginative and beautiful stop combinations... especially in the ever-changing registration scheme of Karg Elert's impressionistic "The Soul of the Lake". Jonathan Ryan's career will be one to watch with the greatest of interest."

David Enos, Associate Director of Music & Organist
St. Hugo of the Hills Church, Bloomfield Hills, Detroit, MI