Accolades

Accolades from the new cd "Between Flute and Guitar":


"...a delightful performance..." (WFIU Radio in Indiana)


"Felicitaciones al duo Noteworthy. Es una maravillosa interpretacion. Tiena muchisima fuerza y denota, en ambos, un dominio de la tecnica instrumental. Bravo!!!" (José Luis Merlin, Composer of "Suite del Recuerdo" and "Progresiones para Pauline")


"...they have crafted a lovely CD that music lovers of all kinds will enjoy. As much of this music is based on folk sounds and/or dances of Latin American countries, the styles of each piece are complementary without becoming tiring."
"The strong connection between duo members is apparent, as much of this music requires tremendous flexibility in tempos, mood, and color, executed beautifully overall. The piece that best demonstrates the duo’s artistry and passion is Piazzolla’s “Histoire du Tango.” As many decisions must be made about a variety of stylistic gestures, successful execution of this piece requires musicians to be deeply involved in the creative process. The Noteworthy Duo have crafted exciting interpretations of this beloved standard in the flute/guitar repertoire."
"...overall, this CD contains an exciting collection of South American music. Music lovers will not only enjoy the beautiful playing but also the information included in the liner notes about the composers and musical styles. Listeners may want to be near the Internet while listening, as the performance of this music will invite learning even more. Or they may simply want to dance!" (The Flutist Quarterly, The Official Magazine of the National Flute Association, Inc., Volume XXXV, No.3, Spring 2010)


“...The disc features an extensive selection of South American pieces for the two instruments by various composers with a range of music in different moods, tempos and styles...It serves as a useful addition to the repertoire and should be particularly popular with those who enjoy this style of music.” (The Flautist, Official Journal of the Victorian Flute Guild Inc., Volume 41, No.1 February 2010)


Here are a few accolades from recent performances:

"Individually, Nigro and Schroeder are accomplished, dynamic musicians at the top of their game. Together, they created a gorgeous, seamless sound, completely at ease with their music and audience. Their program of Latin American duos was a perfect Friday concert to end a busy week. One would be hard-pressed to find a better guitar/flute duo anywhere, or nicer musicians to work with." (Cathy Brown, UCLA, Music in the Rotunda)


“Thank you so much for appearing as guest artists at MTSU. Your recital was colorful, exciting and educational. I loved the program of flute and guitar repertoire you brought to us and am very grateful for the commentary you provided us with. What a fabulous evening of music you shared with us! Your master class was enlightening for all of us and the energy you brought to the students at MTSU was refreshing. Thank you both for working with our students, as they are better musicians because of it. I was quite honored that you shared your time with us at MTSU.” (Dr. Deanna Little, Associate Professor of Flute, Middle Tennessee State University)


"The performance by Noteworthy Duo was more than noteworthy - it was musically outstanding, and the engaging way Michael and Lisa presented information about the music made it even more enjoyable for our congregation! Both in preparation for the concert and the day of the performance they were professional and personable to work with. I would recommend them to anyone wanting to experience a meeting of classical and Latin American music in concert. We hope to have them back again!" (Arlington Congregational Church Jacksonville, FL)


“Thank you so very much for performing your program of Latin American music at Belmont University. Every piece on the program was delightful and expertly performed. It was wonderful for the students to hear your impeccable ensemble and artistry in addition to hearing your interesting commentary on the composers and the selections. Thanks again for your wonderful and inspiring visit to our campus.” (Dr. Carolyn Treybig, Professor of Flute, Belmont University School of Music)


“The Noteworthy Duo played a delightful program to open the 2010 Chamber Concert Series at Placentia's historic Bradford House. Their relaxed professionalism gave just the right air of intimacy that can be achieved in a setting that brings the music--and the musicians--within reach of their audience. Their selections were interesting and kept their listeners rapt, as they explored the sounds and nuances of their instruments and music. What a lovely way to spend an afternoon!” (Placentia Founders Society, CA)


"Noteworthy Duo was definitely a highlight of our Mid-Day Music series. The program was highly appropriate to our audience and the performers quite engaging in their manner. Folks are continuing to say how much they enjoyed it." (St. Paul's on-the-Green Norwalk, CT)


“The Noteworthy Duo offers a dramatic musical collaboration that is refreshing to hear (and see)! Their ability to communicate with each other and the audience is evident as they provide a concert experience that is both boldly rhythmic and expressively nuanced.” (St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, Murfreesboro, TN)


“The concert at St. Paul’s by the Noteworthy Duo was an overwhelming success. It was an inspirational concert with all the technical abilities expected of well-seasoned artists. All the moods and emotions that one could possibly hope for in an hour were brought to the listeners’ ears. I received many accolades from parishioners, friends and guests. One of our parishioners, a famous local artistic painter, was so inspired he purchased the latest Noteworthy Duo CD so that he could play it while he painted and be inspired again. The concert was so well received; I made a decision on the spot to make the Noteworthy Duo an annual event.” (The Episcopal Church of St. Paul the Apostle Savannah, GA)


“Noteworthy’s concert was a highlight of our concert season. Michael and Lisa play as if they have performed together forever—with joy, superb musicianship and impressive ensemble. From their first moments on stage through the last piece, Michael and Lisa kept the audience absorbed with their expressive playing and engaging commentary. This was a first-rate concert experience.” (Atonement Lutheran Church Boulder, CO)

“It was really great having Noteworthy Duo here for the wonderful recital they played. I have received nothing but praise from students as well as others in the audience. The program was really fresh, and the playing was superb! The master class given after the concert was very helpful and informative; Michael and Lisa’s comments regarding our ensemble’s performance added new possibilities to the interpretation of the pieces they played! (Mark Prince Lee, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Music, Columbia State Community College, Columbia, TN)

“Noteworthy Duo’s program of music by Latin American composers provided the perfect showcase for their flawless technique, ensemble playing and artistry, and their well-chosen repertoire was enthusiastically received by both our seasoned regulars and those new to the classical concert experience. The Duo’s concert was the best attended evening concert we have hosted, and I expect that with their engaging manner the audience would have loved them even had they not played so well!” (Main Library Jacksonville, FL)


"Noteworthy Duo combines a brilliant blend of guitar and flute harmonies to produce a magical evening of musical entertainment." (Michael Smith, Knoxville Guitar Society)


"The Noteworthy Duo plays with artful delicacy and passion, infusing its live performances with energy, excitement and air-tight arrangements. Along with Michael Anthony Nigro's and Lisa Schroeder's accomplished musicianship their warm and friendly personalities made the Noteworthy Duo's performance at the Hingham Public Library a memorable one for our audience. The 'duo' is an absolute delight that must not be missed." (Hingham Public Library, Hingham, MA)


“Noteworthy Duo: a perfect name for Michael Nigro and Lisa Schroeder. Their instrumental blending and exciting interpretations made each musical number come alive for me. They are so very up-beat! My personal favorites were their rendition of Merlin's Suite del Recuerdo, from which no emotion was omitted, and Piazzolla's Histoire du Tango, playful and steamy. I’m looking forward to their next performance for the BCGS.” (Audience member, Bloomington Classical Guitar Society)


"Lisa Schroeder is a dynamic performer who brings her own style to the flute." (Gary Schocker, flutist/composer/pianist)


"Nigro is an excellent guitarist, drawing a multitude of tone colors from his instrument and displaying great technical dexterity. He has a wide dynamic range, a very pretty sound, and an ability to vary his articulation for expressive purposes. Guitarists have to be able to play melody and accompaniment at the same time, while differentiating the two, and also provide their own percussive effects. All of these tasks Nigro performed with ease and a sense of style."
(Jim Ruggirello, Long Beach Gazzette)


"If listening to great flute music, performed by a superb musician, is what you are looking for, look no further than Lisa Schroeder. She delivers on all levels." (Steven Allen Fox, Composer/Artistic Director/Conductor of the Golden State Pops Orchestra)


"I had the pleasure recently to attend two of Michael Nigro's Kansas City concerts. He played a fabulous program of engaging South American repertoire. Nigro has a wonderful sound, very powerful and a very pleasing stage presentation. I'm looking forward to hearing him again in the near future."
(Douglas Niedt, University of Kansas)


“I’ve known Lisa throughout her musical career. She possesses a depth of expression that never fails to involve you in the musical moment. I am consistently amazed at her ability to make the most technically involved passages shine effortlessly.” (Edward F. Gobbel, Manager- Altus Flutes)


"Following a rousing applause, Nigro returned for an encore and performed "Colibri" ('hummingbird') from composer Julio Sagreras, who describes the work as the guitarist's response to "Flight of the Bumblebee." Nigro adequately handled the piece's extreme difficulty and it was a further testament to his accomplishments as a guitarist. Nigro's performance was very dynamic and contained varying rhythms, moods and tones to form a colorful musical palette. His ability to play both energetically and deliberately is certainly his forte, and in an interview following his performance Nigro confirmed that the warm sound and varied repertoire of the guitar is what initially attracted him to the instrument at the age of twelve. Still in the early stages of his career, Nigro gave the audience at Olin a wonderful performance which was merely an indication of his talents in the years to come."
(Bates College in Lewiston, Maine)


"Lisa is an exciting performer with great depth of tone and expression." (Dr. John Barcellona, Professor of Flute and Director of Woodwind Studies at California State University Long Beach)