"... pianist John Owings and violinist Fritz Gearhart gave a supple and imaginative account of a sweetly modal Hommage a Chausson [Casadesus Centennial Concert]”
The New York Times
"...a sizzling performance of Ravel's
bluesy violin sonata..."
The Wall Street Journal
"Gearhart's clean, incisive bowing and lustrously intense violin tone proved an unmitigated delight...clear, unpretentious, nonsentimental directness and simplicity. This was a superlative evening of musicmaking-a real pleasure!”
New York Concert Review
"Mr. Gearhart is an exceptionally lyrical and intelligent player whose warm, burnished tone complements perfectly his suave yet purposeful phrasing.”
American Record Guide
"His intonation is impeccable, even in passages where the music toys playfully around a change of key, and he has a large dymnamic range at his disposal. The quiet moments are especially attractive, his instrument singing with a beautiful tone quality even in hushed passages.
The Strad
". . .Gearhart's performance was brilliant in every respect, from the sustained lyricism of the first movement to the ironic close of the final variation. . .His technical wizardry, coupled with his keen sense of phrasing and articulation, made it truly memorable.”
Buffalo News
". . .tonally, technically and musically, this was a performance long to be remembered."
Raleigh News and Observer
"[Gearhart] gave a stunning performance of what is, in effect, a five-movement violin concerto [Bernstein's Serenade]...he was in full command of Bernstein's elaborate solo part. Its lyrical, dramatic, and virtuosic aspects all received their due."
Eugene Register-Guard
Hello and welcome to fritzgearhart.com!
This site features the creative activity of Fritz Gearhart, violinist, music educator, and performer.
Violinist FRITZ GEARHART has performed for audiences from coast to coast. He has appeared in major halls around the country including the Kennedy Center, the 92nd Street Y in NYC, Alice Tully Hall, and Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie. He is heard frequently on National Public Radio, including live broadcasts on WFMT Chicago, WQXR in New York, KQAC in Portland Oregon, as well as Public Radio’s nationally syndicated program Performance Today. A sampling from the press: "...a sizzling performance..."(The Wall Street Journal), "...supple and imaginative..."(The New York Times), "...a superlative evening of musicmaking..."(New York Concert Review), and "Gearhart is a bold assertive player..."(Strad).
Gearhart has had a rich career in chamber music performing, including membership in the Chester Quartet and the Oregon String Quartet which recorded compact discs for Albany, Koch Entertainment, Centaur Records. His 2014 release on Centaur Records, Music of a Lifetime, features the music of his father Livingston Gearhart. Mr. Gearhart has performed complete cycles of the Beethoven String Quartets and the Beethoven Violin Sonatas.
Gearhart taught at the university level for most of his career, including appointments at University of Colorado Boulder, University of Oregon, East Carolina University and Indiana University at South Bend. Gearhart has been a featured clinician at music conventions and workshops for National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Conference, American String Teachers Association (ASTA), and National School Orchestra Association (NSOA), and has presented master classes at music schools all around the country, including Texas Christian University, Boise State University, Ithaca College, UNC Greensboro, University of Oklahoma, Eastman School of Music, and the Hartt School, among many others. Gearhart was a judge for the National Fischoff Competition in 2008 and has been a featured clinician at several national conventions including ASTA in Detroit, Kansas City and Santa Clara, CA where he was also the featured chamber music coach. In addition to his many performing and teaching activities, Gearhart has also appeared as a guest conductor several string festivals around the country, including South Carolina All-State String Orchestra, Northern Virginia Honors Orchestra, Wyoming String Clinic, and All-City Strings in Salem, OR. Professor Gearhart has recently started a new nonprofit —the Redfish Music Festival, which presents a summer festival on the southern coast of Oregon, as well as special events throughout the year.
Gearhart received his Master's Degree and prestigious Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music where he studied with Donald Weilerstein. Earlier studies at the Hartt School included work with Charles Treger and members of the Emerson Quartet. Mr. Gearhart currently resides in the Denver area.
