Notable Quotes & Selected Press Clippings

As for the solo performance by Robert McDuffie, it was beyond praise, as cool, poised and heroically strong as a piece of Greek statuary. —London Telegraph (European Premiere of “The American Four Seasons,” London, April 17, 2010)

Collaborating with the Venice ensemble was a brilliant touch… The music’s impulses, particularly in the solo line, were tightly connected to those of the Vivaldi. Other influences crept in too: a rich, double-stopped solo passage in the first movement hinted at Bruch, and other passages brought to mind the Barber concerto, one of Mr. McDuffie’s specialties. —New York Times (New York Premiere of “The American Four Seasons,” November 10, 2010)

click here to read more reviews about The American Four Seasons
 

McDuffie is one of the finest violinists of our age. He played with great clarity and precision, but without sacrificing anything in expression or musicality. —The Buffalo News

The brilliant violinist Robert McDuffie dug into the concerto's Bartokian lyricism and dashing bravura as if he were channeling the work's dedicatee, Jascha Heifetz… —Chicago Tribune

The evening's hero was the remarkable American fiddler Robert McDuffie...[who] plays with magnetic energy and seeming effortlessness... –Chicago Sun Times

He's a treasure. A musician of probing intelligence, a violinist of authority, and force of great vitality. —San Francisco Chronicle

Emotional spontaneity, imperturbable virtuosity and an ever-sweet tone. —Los Angeles Times

McDuffie has a brilliant technique as well as spontaneous and clearly delineated emotion. —Die Welt

I am most grateful to Robert McDuffie for giving me the opportunity to compose my second violin concerto. He brings strength and integrity to the work which is admirable... and essential. —Philip Glass

America is especially rich with great violin talents at the moment. Among the present generation of exceptionally gifted artists Bobby McDuffie stands out as a truly unique voice. His impeccable ear and his flawless technical mastery allow him to govern the entire solo and concerto literature with consummate ease. It is the great good fortune of American composers that Bobby has taken up our works with such missionary zeal. His performances of our works has set a standard of excellence, intuitive comprehension and enthusiastic partisanship that has helped to establish them as a living repertory. I am honored and delighted to count myself among his many collaborators. His performance of my Violin Concerto has been one of my best musical memories. —John Adams

 

A selection of press clippings:

The New York Times, "Recordings; The Real Music of a Servant of Hollywood"

San Francisco Chronicle, "Music Review: Jerusalem Symphony Plays Rozsa"

Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "McDuffie Makes the Strings Sing"

Deseret Morning News, Salt Lake City

The Washington Post (PDF download)

The Miami Herald (PDF download)

Toronto Star (PDF download)

The Salt Lake Tribune (PDF download)

Jerusalem Post (PDF download)