“From the end of the 19th to the beginning of the 20th century, rags dominated popular music not only in the USA, but also influenced serious musicians such as Debussy and Stravinsky. This is no coincidence, as Marcus Schwarz proves with his subtly differentiated interpretations. […] Marcus Schwarz acts in the border area between E and U with as much competence as emphasis. And thus brings ragtime closer to those who otherwise have little to do with such folk sounds. […] This journey through time makes you want more…”
Fränkische Landeszeitung, Dinkelsbühl
“Singing, dancing and signals from the ship’s horns are combined in the cakewalk “Levee Revels” (“The dike revels”), a precursor to ragtime,” explained pianist Marcus Schwarz, before bringing the multi-layered piece to life on the grand piano. He heard a longing for vastness and distance as well as a festive mood and the gentle melancholy that knows that setting off for new shores remains beautiful dreams.”
Taunus Zeitung, Königstein
“If a pianist today dedicates an entire program to this style of music, it shows courage. Because it can alienate purists of all camps: Classical music fans probably see in the ragtime light music, which is at best suitable for encores. And jazz musicians are now used to more complicated and swinging rhythms. The ragtime offers many surprises. […] In his “Pastime Rag” No. 4, for example, the composer Artie Matthews uses dissonant concentrations of sound, clusters – rare in 1920 even in so-called serious music. In addition, there are pieces in a sad minor, and some rags are in no way inferior to models of European piano music with their orchestral sonority. Schwarz also emphasized the European roots of ragtime with his renditions. In addition to all the momentum, the pianist gave lyrical nuances a lot of space […] Schwarz’s view of ragtime is cultured, romanticized and carried by attention to musical detail.”
Hessische Niedersächsische Allgemeine, Kassel
“With tapping feet, the audience listened reverently to Marcus Schwarz’s virtuoso piano performance, loosened up by colorful stories from a time 100 years ago. […]. ‘Solace'[…], with a fairytale-like mood, sensitively elegiac played by Schwarz, who virtuosically translates the versatility of ragtime into sounds – to the great delight of the audience, who loudly pay him enthusiasm. […] He has mastered the entire keyboard of this musical epoch perfectly – and presents an authentically sonorous “melting pot”. The cheerfulness is thrilling and some people feel a slight tingling sensation in their feet.”
Königsteiner Woche, Königstein
“Marcus Schwarz is a proven ragtime specialist. He knows how to let all facets of emotions shine through within this style of music, the main feature of which is ‘ragged time’, and thus opens up a whole cosmos of music. […]. It’s interesting how many high-class compositions by women there are on the subject of ragtime.