"The violinist Mari Silje Andersen Samuelsen was an explosion of temperament and expression in the long solo introduction to Ravel's concert rapsody "Tzigane". Despite the fact that this is music without much depth she mesmerized the audience with her enthusiasm and her total control of all the technical challenges that arose. It is a rare sight to see an instrument that melts so naturally together with a performer as it does with Mari Silje. Another place to find it would be with big brother Håkon, who ended the concert with a tantalizing version of Elgar's cello concerto. The siblings were greeted with massive applause in the Grieg Hall when they as an encore performed Paganini's Moses Variations arranged for cello and violin.

Special credit goes to Ringsaker school of music for giving these two youngsters the opportunity to bring out the best in themselves. It will doubtlessly lead to a heightening of the standard of European music." Bergens Tidende, April 26, 2003

"Mari and Håkon are among the greatest string music talents in Norway." Arve Tellefsen, violinist, August 17, 1998 to Bergens Tidende.

"Mari Silje is standing at the brink of a great career as a violinist." Aftenposten, November 18, 2004 .

"Musical wonderkids? No, they say. The wonder is in that case thanks to very hard work. Siblings Mari Silje (18) and Håkon (21) Andersen Samuelsen are among the very best young musical talents in Norway ." Adresseavisen, March 28, 2003 )

"I have had the pleasure of knowing the young cellist Håkon Samuelsen for several years. He is a very gifted young musician as well as a hard worker." Håvard Gimse, pianist

"Håkon is a great instrumental talent with a natural gift for music." Truls Mørk, cellist

"Mari Silje is a very fine violinist and an intelligent musician." Truls Mørk, cellist

"Mari Silje Samuelsen seized all the opportunities given to her by Ravel's Tzigane and gave it an interpretation well beyond what we can expect from such a young performer. There can be no doubt that she is heading towards the international top level of violinists. I am looking forward to hearing her in a composition where the musical challenges puts her to the test. I am sure she will pass that test, too. Her brother's interpretation of the first and second movements of Elgar's concert for cello and orchestra showed us thoroughly that young Norwegian top-level musicians are on the rise." Dagen newspaper, April 26, 2003

"Håkon and Mari Silje are two of the greatest talents Norway has seen for many, many years. Apart from their great musical talents they possess a rare ability to exploit this talent. They are systematic and at the same time creative. These qualities, combined with their dedication and concentration for his work, will lead them very far indeed." Arve Tellefsen, violinist

''Håkon and Mari Samuelsen gave a unique performance at Sotheby's in London yesterday -- playing instruments by the great Antonio Stradivari." The Guardian, UK, November 5, 2003

''Håkon Samuelsen and his sister, Mari gave a special performance at Sotheby's in London yesterday on a violin and cello made by Antonio Stradvari. The Times, UK, November 5, 2003

"The kids are wonderful, and ... their accomplishment is very high" Gary Graffman, Director, Curtis Institute