Newspaper and Magazine Reviews
Timothy Schwarz (violin) and various chamber ensembles

“Superb playing of the Brahms Double Concerto in A Minor under the direction of Richard Prior and with the Rome Symphony Orchestra. Throughout it was absolutely clear that Schwarz and Stromberg were of one mind about the character of the piece as were Prior and his orchestra. They agreed beautifully on the unity of the lovely unison romantic line of the second movement, and the final movement was just as titled, a lively, energetic Vivace non troppo.”
--Rome News Tribune

“Schwarz and Charity Wicks give one of the very best readings of the [Bartok] Sonata I have heard. They have obviously given the work a good deal of thought, and this is good enough to be the only recording of this work in your collection if you just want one.”
“Pleasantly exuberant and tender as required”
“Intense performance.... Emotionally convincing”
--American Record Guide

“Soloist Timothy Schwarz demonstrated his capacity to produce a warm, full-body tone.”
--The Morning Call (Bethlehem, PA, USA)

“Bartok's Third String Quartet received an uncommonly fine interpretation… ensemble and intonation were above reproach.”
--Serafin String Quartet, New York Concert Review

“The performance seems beyond reproach… [Schwarz’s] technique is exemplary”
--Herman Trotter, Buffalo News (USA)

“There are few musicians who can communicate to others how to make better music. Timothy Schwarz proved that he is one of those few with the wonderful performance he conducted of the Wilmington Community Orchestra.”
--Delaware Arts info

“Schwarz turned out to be the afternoon’s principal purveyor of romance in a strong account of Ernest Chausson’s voluptuous miniature “Poeme” for violin and orchestra. The young violinist’s tone, which is silvery and consistent from top to bottom, was admirably suited to both solo passages and interactions with Chausson’s darker orchestration.”
--Richmond Times (USA)

“[Schwarz] caught the terse, dusty sound of the piece (Stravinsky’s L’Histoire du Soldat) and made easy work of the shifting meters and rhythmic spring to the music”
--The Philadelphia Inquirer (USA)

“The Duo mixed energy with fluidity in sensitively recapturing African American blues and jazz sounds… The players glided smoothly through the Sonata by Mary Howe”
--The Washington Post (USA)

“I was not prepared for musicianship of such proficiency, or performances of such passion. This Duo’s advent is clearly a cause for celebration.”
--The Valley News, Lebanon, NH (USA)

“The performance is one of dreamy enchantment”
--RPM (Canada)

“What the duo demonstrated was complete assurance, warmth of tone, and a relaxed ease in coping with any sort of difficulty”
--Al Ahram Weekly (Egypt)

“Particularly uplifting was the rendition of Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto in which Schwarz’s violin came alive in sharp, long notes played masterfully at every moment”
--Holiday (Bangladesh)

“The Upper Valley Duo’s performance was absolutely enthralling… Weiser and Schwarz touched the hearts of every member of the audience… Received standing ovations…Their music filled the hall with sorrows and joy.”
--The Daily Sangbad (Bangladesh)

“The Upper Valley Duo enthralled the audience at the Doha Sheraton last night with their blend of classical music and chat”
--Gulf Times (Qatar)

“The resplendence and glow of their music influenced our passions to the extent that we forgot to twinkle our eyes and nobody was able to remember anything except their magical music.”
--The Muslim News (Pakistan)

“The ecstatic notes flowing from Weiser’s piano and Schwarz’s violin spread all over the atmosphere and charged the surroundings with a sublime trance.”
--The Daily Nation (Pakistan)

“A melodic revelation for Laos…Schwarz’s violin and Weiser’s piano excelled in a stunning complicity.”
--Vientiane Times (Laos)

“The duo fascinated their audience and fans were crowding around, all agog at seeing the musicians off stage, pushing and milling to get autographs”
--Daily Star (Bangladesh)

“They made the whole subject of classical music so much less stuffy, just what was needed for the audience of youngsters… A whole new generation of children have been introduced to the world of classical music thanks to the Upper Valley Duo.”
--The Peninsula (Qatar)

“Schwarz presented a magical violin”
--Al Kawakeb Magazine (Egypt)

“The way Apollo’s Players introduced their pieces made listening to them very enjoyable and educational”
--Al Ayam (Bahrain)

“Apollo’s Players captivated the audience with their music”
--Gulf Daily News (Bahrain)


Newspaper and Magazine Reviews
Timothy Schwarz (viola)

“[Schwarz] played with passion…precision and intensity. [He] performed delicately and with deep musical understanding.”
--The Morning Call (Allentown, USA)