Roger Owens – Piano

‘Roger Owens has a lovely sound, open and rounded, and shows excellent touch and control at the softest dynamics.’(Tim Parry, International Record Review).

Roger Owens has established himself as one of the most versatile of pianists.  His repertoire is unusually wide and ranges from Gibbons to Hoddinott, whose music he has premiered on several occasions.  He has appeared regularly at the major musical centres of the United Kingdom where his playing has been acclaimed for combining effortless virtuoso technique with a warm tonal palette and vivid sensitivity.

Recent highlights have been performances of Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Barbican, Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy with the Bach Choir and the Philharmonia at the Royal Festival Hall and an appearance at the Freden International Music Festival in Germany where his playing was described as ‘music making of overwhelming intensity…an outstanding combination of passion, musical depth and technical expertise’ (Andreas Bode, Hildesheimer Allgemeine Zeitung).  He performed both Piano Concertos by Liszt as part of his 200^th Anniversary celebrations and took part in concerts at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London and Salisbury Cathedral to commemorate the Britten centenary.  Further performances included Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.1 with Hampshire Sinfonia, Brahms Piano Concerto No.2 with Winchester Symphony Orchestra, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with Hampshire County Youth Orchestra, two piano/organ recitals at Symphony Hall, Birmingham with Thomas Trotter and two recitals for the Southern Cathedrals Festival.

Roger studied privately with Peter Gould and then at the Royal College of Music with John Barstow MBE, where he was presented with both the Chappell and Tagore Gold Medals.  He won the Royal Over-Seas League Piano Competition along with the Bryden Thomson Recital Prize at the Scottish International Piano Competition.

Roger is a skilled communicator whose engaging personality makes him a popular visitor to music societies throughout the British Isles.  He has performed as soloist and chamber musician throughout Europe, most recently in Spain and Germany, and has broadcast for BBC Radio 3, Classic FM and German radio.

Future appearances include solo recitals at the Great Comp Music Festival, Winchester Cathedral, and Swanmore Music Society, chamber recitals at Winchester Festival, as well as a piano/organ duo recital with Thomas Trotter at St. John’s Church, Alresford on 15^th October.

He is currently Head of Keyboard Studies at Peter Symonds College, Winchester and Professor of Piano at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.  Roger lives in Winchester with his wife and two children.

‘I really admire Roger Owens’ piano playing.  It is not only technically masterful, but also beautifully phrased and poetic.’ (Sir Roger Norrington, conductor).