Gilbert Rowland
Encyclopedia
Gilbert Rowland is a Scottish
harpsichordist
. His father was second in command to the Viceroy of India during the days of the British Empire
.
He studied at the Royal College of Music
, under Millicent Silver
, and made his debut while still a student at Fenton House
in Britain. He has often been heard on the BBC
, Radio 3, Capitol Radio and abroad on PBS affiliated stations and other broadcasts across the world, as well as concerts.
The instrument Rowland usually plays is in the late 18th century French style, built in the manner of Pascal Taskin
, with a five octave compass of FF to g.
In 1975, Rowland established Keyboard Records for the sole purpose of recording all Domenico Scarlatti
's 555 harpsichord sonatas. He has also recorded the harpsichord works of Jean-Philippe Rameau
and the complete sonatas of Antonio Soler
. He has recorded for Nimbus Records
and Naxos Records
. Rowland has appeared in recordings and in concert with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra
.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
harpsichordist
Harpsichordist
A harpsichordist is a person who plays the harpsichord.Many baroque composers played the harpsichord, including Johann Sebastian Bach, Domenico Scarlatti, George Frideric Handel, François Couperin and Jean-Philippe Rameau...
. His father was second in command to the Viceroy of India during the days of the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
.
He studied at the Royal College of Music
Royal College of Music
The Royal College of Music is a conservatoire founded by Royal Charter in 1882, located in South Kensington, London, England.-Background:The first director was Sir George Grove and he was followed by Sir Hubert Parry...
, under Millicent Silver
Millicent Silver
Millicent Irene Silver was an English harpsichordist, who began her career as a pianist and violinist.- Early life :...
, and made his debut while still a student at Fenton House
Fenton House
Fenton House is a 17th century merchant's house in Hampstead in North London which belongs to the National Trust, bequeathed to them in 1952 by Lady Binning, its last owner and resident. It is a detached house with a walled garden, which is large by London standards, and features roses, an orchard...
in Britain. He has often been heard on the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
, Radio 3, Capitol Radio and abroad on PBS affiliated stations and other broadcasts across the world, as well as concerts.
The instrument Rowland usually plays is in the late 18th century French style, built in the manner of Pascal Taskin
Pascal Taskin
----Pascal Joseph Taskin was a French harpsichord and piano maker. Born in Theux, near Liège, he lived most of his life in Paris.- Biography :...
, with a five octave compass of FF to g.
In 1975, Rowland established Keyboard Records for the sole purpose of recording all Domenico Scarlatti
Domenico Scarlatti
Giuseppe Domenico Scarlatti was an Italian composer who spent much of his life in the service of the Portuguese and Spanish royal families. He is classified as a Baroque composer chronologically, although his music was influential in the development of the Classical style...
's 555 harpsichord sonatas. He has also recorded the harpsichord works of Jean-Philippe Rameau
Jean-Philippe Rameau
Jean-Philippe Rameau was one of the most important French composers and music theorists of the Baroque era. He replaced Jean-Baptiste Lully as the dominant composer of French opera and is also considered the leading French composer for the harpsichord of his time, alongside François...
and the complete sonatas of Antonio Soler
Antonio Soler
Antonio Francisco Javier José Soler Ramos, usually known as Padre Antonio Soler, known in Catalan as Antoni Soler i Ramos was a Spanish Catalan composer whose works span the late Baroque and early Classical music eras...
. He has recorded for Nimbus Records
Nimbus Records
Nimbus Records is a British record company specializing in classical music recordings.Nimbus was founded in 1972 by the late bass singer Numa Labinsky and the brothers Michael and Gerald Reynolds and has traditionally been based at the Wyastone Leys mansion site, near Monmouth and the English/Welsh...
and Naxos Records
Naxos Records
Naxos Records is a record label specializing in classical music. Through a number of imprints, Naxos also releases genres including Chinese music, jazz, world music, and early rock & roll. The company was founded in 1987 by Klaus Heymann, a German-born resident of Hong Kong.Naxos is the largest...
. Rowland has appeared in recordings and in concert with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra
Nashville Symphony Orchestra
The Nashville Symphony is an American symphony orchestra, based in Nashville, Tennessee. The orchestra performs 140 concerts annually.-History:...
.