American Record Guide, May/June 1999

Lara St. John, violin

St. John [and Ilan Rechtman] threw caution to the winds and completely immersed themselves in a piece, giving a reading of thrilling intensity that was full of risk-taking. The sonata's [Prokofiev No. 1] towering dignity and pathos were fully evident; this was among the greatest performance I have heard of the work.

St. John has the refreshing ability to sound as if she is improvising, and this, balanced by her firm grasp of form, is what makes hers such a talent.