Wow, really terrific— damned impressive!!
My wife said, “Reminds me of Copland.” And she loves Copland. Gorgeous middle movement. I'm allergic to anything resembling a drum set in a symphony orchestra, but I dealt with that in the third movement and still enjoyed it. Bravo Jeff, a real accomplishment both pragmatically and artistically.

David Royko, Chicago Tribune

 

Midkiff's “From the Blue Ridge” is a highly original and thoroughly welcome addition to the catalog great American works for orchestra. I have rarely encountered a new work that inspired such rapturous praise from musicians and audiences from a single hearing. By turns toe-tapping, wistful, spiritual and downright fun, the concerto is colorfully scored and features the virtuosic talents of the composer as soloist. I look forward to introducing the work to audiences around the country.

Michael Butterman
Rochester Philharmonic
Orchestra conductor

 

 

 

I was proud to be a part of the triumph of the concert last night. What you did keeps the art of the orchestra alive and a vital force in the cultural life of the community. The combination of your mandolin virtuosity and your flair for the craft of creative composition should take you far. Your marriage of contemporary folk elements with the rich tradition of the western European orchestra is masterful and original. You've invented something new, and done it very well.
   Here's hoping that this is only the first installment of a new direction of classical music. Just think of the long and distinguished list of great composers who elevated folk elements into great art!
Wallace Easter
Associate Professor
Department of Music
Virginia Tech

Partners in Time

Review from Dirty Linen 

Jeff Midkiff may not be on the tip of every bluegrass enthusiast's tongue, but Lonesome River Band devotees may remember the mandolinist's five-year stint during the ’80s.

He’s always had a paradoxical double identity, bouncing between academia and bluegrass and back again, and eventually he earned a master’s degree in clarinet performance. In the late ’90s, bluegrass’ prodigal son ventured home again, this time as a member of the Schankman Twins.

Though his deft instrumental debut is hardly for the faint of heart, Midkiff's genre-spanning versatility rivals anything waxed be those big dogs of newgrass.Though his deft instrumental debut is hardly for the faint of heart, Midkiff’s genre-spanning versatility rivals anything waxed be those big dogs of newgrass. He ably alternates between mandolin and fiddle to spryly swing “Lady Be Good,” succumbs to the drowsy heat of “Summertime,” and breezes through the Celtic-flavored “Monroe’s Hornpipe” until the tune’s last hurrah, where the pace progressively accelerates.

While it would have been easy to play it safe with time-honored chestnuts, Midkiff unveils six ambitious originals, ranging from an entrancing “Funk Tango” to a Moorish impressionistic sketch of “Alhambra” and a straight-ahead cruise of “Grey Hawk.” “A Visit From The Muse” resembles a forgotten Russian Melody. The title song aggressively stretches across myriad key signatures and syncopated timing.

Not only is Midkiff a sparkling, accurate picker, Schankman guitar alum Curtis Jones provides many a dazzling flat-picked solo. A big bark from a little dog.

Dan Willging, Dirty Linen