“In three acts, the composer and librettist explore a trio of carnal situations, often with surprisingly touching—and funny—results… Paterson’s score is tonal but eclectic … his writing showcases the voice naturally. If Three Way perhaps brings up more questions than it answers – about sex, love, death, fear, and the need to connect with other humans – it does so with wit and sophistication…”

“A bright and magnificent score…expertly structured and paced… effortlessly funny, clever and deeply resonant…”

“...an innovative - and, yes, occasionally explosive - cocktail of opera buffa, sex comedy, science fiction, psychological study and social commentaries, all supported by an appropriately gritty score... wildly, yet smartly, entertaining.”

“Strikingly sonorous ensemble writing... breezily urbane...”

“...like a chamber musical. You can see why the composing duo write opera together... Paterson takes Cote’s texts and bakes into the words a new and often surprising energy... bundled with wit and a good sense of humor.”

“The libretto was provocative and relevant to the 21st century. The music was interesting and accessible with real arias. The libretto was brilliant. What a pleasure to hear music that is accessible and lined up well with the libretto, a feature missing from most contemporary American opera … Major props to composer Robert Paterson… a delightful evening. ”

“ Paterson is uncommonly talented...The music reaches out to you... I was wishing it did not have to end when it did. I would have happily heard more. ”

“Triadic harmonies here had a new sound and its balances were artful. We should look forward to Paterson’s next work.”

“While the breadth of the cycle was grand, each of the songs nonetheless seemed intimate... I loved Paterson’s tender approach to the piece, combining its clearly melodic tone with percussive elements and a skilled addition of brass... ”

““Triple Concerto is a stunning piece about climate change... Rob is a great tone painter of nature, of birds, of land and seascape, and all of that is on beautiful display in this work. At the end, the orchestra slowly exits the stage (with the woodwind “birds” singing until the last moment), leaving only the trio and conductor in silence. It is a tremendously moving piece...””

“[Dark Mountains] is richly crafted, tonal but with knotty contemporary harmonic language and rhythms , proved largely pastoral, including reflections on the craggy Vermont mountainside. The VSO exudes a sense of joy - smiles included - when it performs under Laredo, and this time was no exception.”

“ The audience just roared. Never has a new work [Symphony in Three Movements] been given such an ecstatic reception. Robert Paterson is a highly gifted composer, and a few years will no doubt suffice to establish him as one of the major contenders in American music.”

“Robert Paterson could probably set a telephone book to music and create something that captivates... Eternal Reflections reveals Paterson’s ability to treat words with utmost clarity and send them soaring or engaging in deft choral conversation.”

“Some of the most compelling moments on this recording occur in Choral Suite from a New Eaarth, from a work originally scored for orchestra, chorus, and narrator but recorded here with piano alone. This set speaks powerfully to modern sensibilities, referencing environmentalist Bill McKibben’s assertion that climate change has already permanently altered the planet; the choir delivers Paterson’s evocative music with passion, from the depiction of violent sounds of nature to a more reflective, hymn like texture.””

“The program opened with Robert Paterson’s gorgeous “Lux Aeterna,” a setting of excerpts from the Requiem Mass and featured on a new disc of the composer’s choral works. Tautly scored with vivid contrasts and soaring lines, the work proved a highlight of the program.”

“Schumannian drama and melancholy in the song cycle “CAPTCHA” opens this beautiful, witty and sometimes utterly desolate collection of vocal works.”

“Subtle and intricate musical settings that truly define the words “art songs” [Eating Variations] ... intricate, idiomatic to the text, very colorful, and brilliantly wedded to the subtle nuances of vocal expression. A fine release. (4 Stars).”

“Paterson’s terrific recent vocal recording, Winter Songs, made for one of the best releases of 2013. His orchestrations are colorful and clear, and he values lyricism and beauty. CAPTCHA is utterly brilliant… it needs to be a standard choice in the repertoire.”

“He’s found ardent advocates for a personable brand of music-making that is fast, furious, and laced through with sardonic wit... Gloriously entertaining.”

“It’s difficult to pinpoint just what it is about Robert Paterson’s music that makes it interesting, modern and audience-friendly all at the same time... There are no two ways about it: Robert Paterson’s music is both modern in every respect you can think of—harmonically, rhythmically and thematically—but audience-friendly at the same time. It’s a little nutty, but the world needs more humor in classical music. We have far too much of the “oh-God-I’m-so-depressed-and-serious” type... He’s the kind of composer I wish I were if I had a single composing bone in my body.”

“While making use of specific ornaments and different tuning systems, Paterson provides a vast timbral playground.... As earthy as folk music, as rhythmic as dance tunes, Paterson’s suite nonetheless unfolds in the satisfying arc of a well-conceived structure.”

““All three quartets combine High Modernism with the rhythmic intensity of an ethnically charged world beyond post-understanding, and also a primal tonal radicality, and then references that channel a kind of universal Pan-Western Globality. Does that make sense? Probably not until you listen... not some typically digested generic item, that it is filled with original twists and turns, and bears attention, giving rewards for all your listening efforts with a set of gemstones, of sparkling elements across a happy beach by the water... Here is one for you if you seek adventure...””

“...clearly, Paterson listens widely and has a passion for the global styles he’s so enthusiastically embraced. Play this loud and it becomes party music: play it softly and it makes for good late-night ambience.”

“What a delight to hear Paterson’s recent music—a most impressive body of work. I find it exuberant and rhythmically vital music marked by energy and a wonderful sense of color.”

“[Paterson’s music] is both musically and emotionally effective. The variety of expression is most noteworthy and he really cares about the pitches. It is a pleasure to listen to his music...”

“What I find most characteristic in your music is the energy... the stop and go motive cells and the great storytelling ability behind the music. ”Sextet” & “Quintus” kept me hanging on to my chair for their unrelenting drive. “The Thin Ice....” has some very beautiful melodies and timbres. You communicated the icy objective (color) of the piece very well. “Embracing the Wind” is very attractive music and very French. The solemnity of “Elegy” makes it stand out as a unique piece in this collection. The recording quality of the CD and the musicians are excellent.”

“Throughout all your work, there is such genuine feeling; a cheeky humor at times and then again, moments of deep and profound beauty. Your ability to write so very, very well for every instrument you choose is an ability I envy... I can write vocal music, but I have so often through the years wished I could write such a wide variety of music as you appear to write with such great skill and such apparent ease. Your dramatic sensibilities, the ability to so directly incorporate humor, such a wide palette of color and texture, and a sure sense of rhythmic momentum... your ability to adopt moments of everyday or “popular” musical styles while presenting them in ways that feel natural, heartfelt, and sincere... I am really impressed as I rarely am.”

“Robert Paterson is the consummate musician and is fast establishing a position of excellence for himself in the music world.”

“Vivid, imaginative, and with a direct, intelligent style. Rob Paterson is a composer that connects!”

“Out of most six mallet music I have heard, yours seems to be the most musical, in the sense that it really concentrates on the music aspect, rather than the fact there are six mallets being used, and that is how it should be. I can’t wait to start playing them... the music is fantastic.”