"Sunday's concert brought together another pair of friends, at least in the program's finale. Here, Karpoff joined-or rather ignited-the quartet in a sensational performance of Schumann's Piano Quintet. The addition of Karpoff made a world of difference, even in the sound of the quartet.

"From the very opening of the first movement Karpoff took charge as the ensemble's spiritual leader (and occasional conductor)-jump-starting the string players, who immediately shifted into fourth gear to match his euphoric level of energy and enthusiasm. Karpoff, a professor of piano at Syracuse University and a frequent guest at the Skaneateles Music Festival, is a dynamic player whose bold, orchestral-sized tone and aggressive execution immediately sets the stage for what's ahead-obviating any need for a "warm-up" movement. The collaboration of Karpoff and quartet produced a thrilling performance, as the players threw caution to the wind and drew the audience into the music-making process…Among his many strengths as a chamber music performer, Karpoff has a knack for timing: he can sense exactly where the tension within the music is to begin, how much of it to make, and when to let it all go. Moreover, he's got the technique to make it sound all so convincing. As a result, Karpoff's interpretations consistently reveal not only a keen dramatic sense of purpose, but also a deep understanding of a work's architectural structure-such as in the opening Allegro movement, where he made good use of Schumann's arpeggiated passages to create a thrilling climax."

"The tour-de-force of Friday's program was an incredible performance of Beethoven's 'Archduke Trio' performed by Karpoff, violinist Curtis Macomber and cellist Peter Rejto. The marvelous synergy among these three musicians was immediately apparent, as the trio dug in deeply and wove an interpretation that had as much soul as it did substance. In terms of musicality, Karpoff is one of the most exciting pianists to watch and hear in the history of the [Skaneateles] festival. His involvement and intensity at the piano are at once apparent, and his phrasing invariably superb. His long, spacious phrases in the Andante movement jell together so well one might conclude he has found a way to play the piano as a wind instrument. He executed the tricky ornamental passages that color the melodic lines in the final Allegro with ease and grace."

"The American duo Rebecca and Fred Karpoff offered jewels of American classical music in Weimar on Thursday evening. During their only concert in the [former East Germany] the soloist-couple presented [American] songs in a fascinating manner. The artists, who have received many musical awards, showed a harmonious ensemble on a level of absolute perfection...The highlight of the concert was the Sonata No. 2 by Edward MacDowell. The very expressive intonation of the King Arthur legend gave Fred Karpoff the opportunity to show his excellent ability. Technically excellent and deeply emotional, he turned the dynamic succession of the expressive and lyrically restrained passages into a sound experience, the only detractor being the partly off-tune piano."

(Of the Schumann Davidsbündlertänze) "...intimate, introspective, and very sensitive playing by pianist Fred Karpoff."

"The Karpoffs, with their formidable talents, engaging personalities (both on- and offstage), cooperative attitudes, and pedagogical skills, are the perfect embodiment of what we imagine Artistic Ambassadors ought to be. They did an absolutely stunning job in Zimbabwe, and we would give them our very highest recommendation for any future programming opportunities...

"The public concert in Bulawayo was, without question, the real high point of the Karpoffs' Zimbabwe program...The performance positively sparkled. Every facet of it was pure delight. Fred's thoughtful, expressive interpretation of the little-known MacDowell and his sensitive accompaniment of his wife Rebecca's rich, full interpretations, her gorgeously colored voice, and her manner of presentation; the clear, informative introductions that both provided to the pieces that needed introducing, it was obvious that the audience wanted the encores to go on and on...

"Superb, highly talented performers, Fred and Rebecca are also excellent teachers with engaging, open personalities that serve them well in performance, in workshops, and in social situations. Their interests in people and in what is going on artistically wherever they find themselves are key assets. And finally, they possess in spades the flexibility and sense of humor that can be the deciding factor in making a success of artistic diplomatic missions--they seem determined to turn into silk purses whatever sows' ears they are handed. We could not recommend the Karpoffs more highly, and we are very grateful to the Artistic Ambassador program for smoking them out and sending them our way."

[At the Skaneateles Festival]: "Violinist Curtis Macomber, cellist Lindsay Groves and pianist Fred Karpoff opened the program with an explosion of energy, in a performance of Beethoven's Trio in E-Flat, Op. 70 No. 2. Unafraid to take chances, the trio played with vigor and spirit and total confidence--using the many dotted rhythmic patterns to drive the work to fevered pitches. Karpoff, in particular, was outstanding--breathing life into his phrases with smooth finger work, a graceful touch, delicate phrase endings and crisp, clean articulations.

"Saint-Saens' Septet, for trumpet, string quintet and piano, was a fitting finale...Its parlor-music final movement, with its prominent, overly-embellished piano part--again, sensationally performed by Karpoff--is a real crowd-pleaser."

"Fred and Rebecca Karpoff made an outstanding impression in Ghana. In performance they were poised, polished and versatile; their concerts were high in both educational and entertainment value. Particularly well-received were their renditions of musically innovative works such as those of [Joseph] Schwantner, and of pieces by important but less-known African-American composers such as William Grant Still and Undine Smith Moore...The Karpoffs' master classes and one-on-one teaching efforts were equally successful, and were deeply appreciated by the established and aspiring musicians who were reached in this way. Fred and Rebecca Karpoff displayed a distinctive combination of youthful enthusiasm, flexibility, good humor, rapport with each other, and willingness to reach out to musical colleagues."

"All friends of America and music, who did not attend the song and piano recital with the young duo Rebecca and Fred Karpoff in the 'Kieler Kulturviertel', decidedly missed a great evening... Significant was the solo-interpretation by pianist Fred Karpoff of Edward MacDowell's 2nd sonata...The piece required great technical accomplishment and a highly romantic fantasy which did not fail to impress."