REVIEWS
“Edward W. Hardy, who composed the omnipresent music, plays the violin superbly.”
— The New York Times
“A man of many talents within the music world, Edward W. Hardy is an awardwinning composer, music director, virtuoso violinist and violist living in Manhattan. A master in his craft, he possesses a natural skill in every aspect of his career, bringing musical compositions to life with his own signature flair.”
— Haute Living
“Violinist and composer Edward W. Hardy, of featured quartet Sterling Strings, brought virtuoso flair to his own aptly titled “Evolution.” Like a composite of multiple Spirituals at first, it later grooved and soared, Hardy displaying technical and expressive finesse.”
“The strains of a violin are a perfect backdrop to the eerie atmosphere that envelops munchkinland, thanks to Edward W. Hardy, The Composer/Music Director and Violinist.”
“While the puppetry and the theater wizardry are in full effect throughout the performance, it is Edward W. Hardy who shines brighter than any pair of silver shoes. The composer-violinist manifested a minimalist score all-pervading within the totality of the show; each note adds subtext or tension to every moment.”
“Wrapping up the instrumental portion was the extraordinary violinist/composer/teacher Edward W. Hardy... Shouts of “OK!” and grass-muted toe-taps accompanied his rendition of If I Ain’t Got You by Alicia Keys. He ultimately brought the crowd to its feet with his mind-blowing twist on Freddie Mercury’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
“Edward Wellington Hardy tackled "summer" with vigor, control and expressiveness.”
“The show is also beautifully accompanied, almost continuously, by the violinist Edward W. Hardy, whose score suggests the dusty sound of Methodist hymns and modest social dance.”
“Dr. Hardy's virtuosic arrangements and passionate solo violin performances of Astor Piazzolla’s "Oblivion" and Bizet's "Habanera" (Carmen), were also highlights.”
“What I found remarkable about Hardy’s compositions was their eclectic integration, synthesis, his ability to appropriate folkmusic from various cultures and ingest enough abstraction to display the melodies as capable of more than what they once were, yet preserve the elemental spirit and joy of the folk- melodies.”
“What we can't stop listening to: The haunting violin solos from Off- Broadway's The Woodsman, played by Edward W. Hardy”
“The subsequent narrative is told primarily through movement and wordless interactions set to a violin underscore (beautifully textured folk music composed and performed by Edward W. Hardy).”
“Listen to Hardy play a beautiful selection from the album (The Woodsman Original Off-Broadway Solo Recording) in the recording studio!”
— Broadway World
“It (The Pearl Diver) was magical from the moment I walked into the theatre. Loved the script, the music was amazing, perfect, and so beautifully performed (Edward W. Hardy).”
— Joan Melton, NY Classical Theatre Associate Artist
“You created a pearl of a production! What a wonderful use of the space, your talent and I can't say enough about your “Orchestra.” He (Edward W. Hardy) was brilliant and added so much! Very clever! Bravo!”
— Kate Weiman, Blue Hill Troupe
“With a Japanese-style score by Edward W. Hardy, the show celebrates the courage of the heroine, who outmaneuvers the dragon not with a weapon but with music: a lullaby.”
— The New York Times (Feature)
“The violin music reminiscent of pre-civil war folk pulls the audience into the scene, eerily notifying the spectators of the danger that lay moments away.”
“The story is told through a combination of movement and music with mood-setting violin accompaniment composed and performed by the talented Edward W. Hardy.”
— Theatermania
“The Woodsman also features a beautiful violin accompanist (Edward W. Hardy) who plays in the style of pre-civil war folk music throughout the entirety of the production. The music helps illustrate what is happening on stage with each of the songs”
— NY Theatre Guide
“A mesmerizing performance of “Coexistence” by (Sho) Kuon on piano and Dr. Edward W. Hardy on violin.”
“Hardy's breathtaking piano trio arrangement of Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'All I Ask Of You' (The Phantom Of The Opera).”
“As they made their way down the stairs, violinist Edward W. Hardy played a rendition of iconic Nas songs to the violin with a high-energy performance, before everyone took their seats to start the meal.”
“An exquisite and crowd-pleasing performance of "Tambourin Chinois" by Edward W. Hardy (violin) and Hanguang Wang (piano).”
“During the cocktail, attendees were treated to a surprise performance by violinist Edward W. Hardy, who put on a 15-minute rendition of hip-hop songs like “All of the Lights,” “Wild Thoughts,” and “Old Town Road,” on his violin as the audience listened on in admiration.”
“Violinist Edward W. Hardy set the mood with a hip-hop-style violin performance of 50 Cent’s most iconic hits before guests took their seats for dinner.”
“Music throughout provided by violinist Edward W. Hardy who really set the mood of this poignant tale of how the wicked witch of the east enslaved the Munchkins.”
— Hi Drama
“Edward W. Hardy's playing served as a gorgeous undertone of audible emotions”