Ilona Oltuski has devoted herself tirelessly to broadening the audience for classical music by presenting exciting concerts in intimate, innovative New York venues. Her GetClassical series has featured established sought-after artists as well as emerging new talents. A prolific writer, she has spotlighted both prominent artists as well as anticipated stars of tomorrow in interesting interviews on her blog.
llona’s impeccable taste, comprehensive knowledge of music and strong contacts within the industry, has ensured success in her many endeavors. She has made an important contribution to the New York music scene and we all owe her a lot of gratitude.

Among the best writers and interviewers proudly stands Ilona Oltuski and her GetClassical blog. She quickly gets to the point of an interview with her musical background and inquisitive mind. At the same time she offers a special and unique angle to any article she writes. Being interviewed by her is always a comfortable and inspiring process.

It has been a pleasure to be interviewed by Ilona Oltuski in New York. She is well-informed, curious and intelligent. She cares deeply about the state of music in our society and also about the fate of young musicians.

Ilona Oltuski, founder of the GetClassical blog and concert series, is one of the most passionate people I have the privilege of knowing. She is working tirelessly to bridge the gap between artists and audiences, by creating an engaging atmosphere in intimate, unexpected venues and bringing in talent worth recognizing. GetClassical hosts unique concerts that create a sense of community, where invigorated performers, be they world-renown musicians with colossal careers or a young musician still building his or her path, have an equal opportunity to share their art in a more relaxed setting with no divide and no barriers. The twenty-first century brings with it a lot of sensory experiences and social opportunities and we need pioneers, such as Ilona Oltuski and GetClassical to break the stigmas of the Classical Arts and create fresh and exciting events and content. These are concerts of today, but more importantly, the future.

Ilona Oltuski is a great interviewer, very friendly and knowledgable and a keen supporter of many artists, young and established alike. Easy to talk to, Ilona makes sure the artist’s point is not lost and that the essence of music always comes across.

I SO much enjoyed performing in the amber glow of GetClassical, which keeps the tradition of intimate salon concerts alive. As a musician, it is inspiring to feel that a concert is a conversation rather than a speech, and the engaged and passionate audience made that possible!

At GetClassical, everyone becomes an artist: the audience and performers are equal collaborators in creating a special ambience; the music is enlivened by an amber glow of creativity and elegance. Thanks to the commitment and passion behind this wonderful platform, the tradition of the intimate salon concert is on very good hands. Everyone comes away with new friends, both human and musical.

My manager and I loved your article and thought it was one of the best we have ever read. It’s on my website now.

“It was such a pleasure talking to Ilona and having an interview that was as exhaustive and intelligent as it was readable and entertainingly written. Music journalism is becoming a rare art and it’s nice to know it is in good hands.”

Ilona,
I was so happy with your exceptional article about Young Concert Artists.. You captured every iota of the spirit of the organization in an articulate and warm way. It is fun to come to your events too -\
off the beaten track and yet fully connected to the spirit of great music.
All best Susan

We were thrilled to see Orpheus so accurately represented by GetClassical.org in Ilona’s wonderfully thorough and sensitively written blogpost. It’s rare to be interviewed by someone like Ilona—someone who comes in already intimately acquainted with the culture of Orpheus, an interviewer who “gets” what we do and whose questions come from a place of genuine curiosity about what we do—past, present and future. GetClassical.org is the perfect vehicle for the 21st century music lover and musician.

Dear Ilona, Thank you for making time for the interview. It was absolutely a joy to dive with you into my artistic journey and to feel so welcomed by your warmth, knowledge and personality. What I thought would be another ‘casual’ interview became a two hours fun and friendly discussion that magically – by you – brought out all I had to say and more, thank you, Amit

I had such a great time chatting with Ilona over dinner in Berlin. She is one of the warmest and funniest journalists I have ever had the pleasure of working with, without losing focus on the things that matter. Her articles are informative, entertaining and at the same time founded on a deep understanding of classical music and it’s business. I wish “GetClassical” all the very best!

I had an engaging, wide-ranging conversation with Ilona that touched on many important and interesting topics, often overlooked in interview. Her perceptive questions are informed by her unique insight, knowledge and understanding. All of this came across beautifully written, in the wonderful, interesting profile she wrote. A big Thank You to GetClassical!

A big thanks to Ilona and Get Classical for the wonderful in-depth article about our work! This included our new work: Breath & Hammer II- The Ties that Bind Us for the Pierre Boulez Saal in Berlin, as well as coverage of the From Shtetl to Stage concert at Carnegie Hall as part of the Migrations Series. It is rare today to see a writer who will delve so deeply into a story and look at multiple levels of connection- Thanks so much Ilona for your time and great passion!!

“What a pleasure to make the acquaintance of Ilona Oltuski, whose love of music and comprehensive knowledge informs everything that she writes. I especially admire the work she does in schools. Bravo Ilona!”