Arthur Rowe

B.M. (W. Ont.), M.M. (Indiana)
Professor
Piano

MacLaurin Building (Music Wing)
By Appointment
artrow@uvic.ca

Brief Biography

Canadian pianist Arthur Rowe is a critically acclaimed recitalist, soloist with orchestra and chamber musician. Touring annually across North America, he has received enthusiastic reviews from his performances in cities such as New York, Cleveland, Minneapolis, Seattle, San Diego, as well as in venues in Europe and New Zealand. Following a New York solo recital, The New York Times wrote:” The Canadian pianist Arthur Rowe made an immediate and positive impression...before eight bars had gone by, one knew he was capable of vigor without heaviness, energy without excess of drive. It was first-rate playing: a kind of execution tinglingly alive to the shape and contribution of each phrase". Reviewing a solo recital in London England, The London Times spoke of his "unusual clarity of articulation", and "poetry of expression", and David Burge, writing in The San Diego Tribune said, "Rowe is a marvelous pianist…even when he is pushed to the limit by extreme virtuosic demands...he can concentrate all of his considerable talents on vital matters of phrasing, tone and ensemble".

Born in McLennan Alberta, Arthur Rowe began his professional career while still an undergraduate, studying with Damjana Bratuz at the University of Western Ontario. Renowned cellist and UWO Professor Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi invited him to play in recital tours in Canada and The United States, and soon after, Mr. Rowe was concertizing in cities across Canada in solo recitals, CBC radio recordings, and concerti. Before completing his graduate studies with Gyorgy Sebok at Indiana University, Arthur Rowe had appeared as soloist in the inaugural concert of the London Sinfonia, with the CBC Winnipeg Orchestra, as well as with Orchestra London under the baton of Arthur Fiedler.  Performances with The National Arts Centre Orchestra for CBC as well as the CBC Vancouver Orchestra with Mario Bernardi followed.

Arthur Rowe is heard frequently on radio broadcasts in both Canada and the United States, and has recorded with various artists for the Crystal, ebs, Innova, GM and Fanfare labels. In 2007, he released an all Schubert recording on the Centaur label. Fanfare magazine’s review says, “Rowe’s reading (of the posthumous B flat Sonata) is one of the most beautiful I have heard… The D. 899 Impromptus are equally impressive…his purling right-hand runs recall Schnabel’s velvety sound…. every harmonic change is underscored by a delicate nuance of color change. This kind of expression cannot be taught; it is in the bloodstream and the soul.

A highly respected chamber musician, Mr. Rowe regularly collaborates with artists and chamber ensembles across North America. While at Indiana University, he began his long association with violinist William Preucil, Concertmaster of The Cleveland Orchestra, with whom he has concertized for almost three decades. In February of 2004 The Harrington String Quartet joined forces with Arthur Rowe and William Preucil in New York for a performance of the Chausson Concerto for Violin, Piano and String Quartet, which was reviewed by Harris Goldsmith as a "reading that rivaled the benchmark recordings by Franzescatti/Casadesus/Pascal, and Heifetz/Sanroma/New Arts”.

Having previously held positions at The University of Iowa and The University of Western Ontario, Arthur Rowe now resides in Victoria, where he is Professor of Piano at The University of Victoria.

Recent review:

• Review of Linden String Quartet with Arthur Rowe

Webpages:

• Victoria Summer Music Festival
  
• MusicFest Vancouver
  
• The Jeffrey Concerts
  
• Arkiv Music