Rick Rowley, Piano
Pianist Rick Rowley has appeared extensively as a recitalist, concerto soloist and chamber performer with many of the world’s leading musicians. The Washington Post wrote that he is “a communicative performer” who “takes the music on its own terms.” The San Antonio Express-News praised his “resplendent performance” that “crackled with infectious energy” and the Austin Statesman-American has praised his “dazzling technique” and “world-class expertise,” calling one of his concerts “concerto playing at its best.” Rowley has appeared as a conductor and in the dual role of conductor/soloist wherein his performances of Mozart concertos have been particularly praised.
He has recorded and produced for a number of compact discs; his solo recordings feature repertoire by Liszt, Guion, Chopin, Mompou, Granados, Barber, Gershwin and Copland and he has recorded chamber music with cellist Peter Rejto, flutist Marianne Gedigian, clarinetist Patricia Shands and soprano, Cheryl Parrish. He recently recorded songs of Bruce Pennycook and gave world premiere performances of music by Graham Reynolds, P. Kellach Waddell, Chuck Holdeman, Christopher Caliendo and Anne Rivers-Witherspoon. For several years now Rowley has also maintained a busy career in the theater—a veteran of nearly fifty productions as actor, musical director and director, including the children’s theater at Zachary Scott in Austin, for several theaters in Houston, the Point Theater in Ingram and the Unity Theatre in Brenham, where he is a Resident Artist.
He made his directorial debut with a production of The Belle of Amherst for the Unity Theater, and directed a new play based on letters of George Sand and Gustave Flaubert. Rowley is on the faculty of the University of Texas at Austin, where he works with pianists, vocalists and instrumentalists. He will again serve as faculty and guest pianist for the Rose City Conductor’s Workshop.