Bio&Reviews
Daniel Rowland Reviews:
The Herald, Glasgow
"How did he maintain such an incandescent level of tension throughout a work as long and involved as Cesar Franck's Sonata and how many musical volts were coursing through that bow? His tone was silky smooth and sweet as honey and he seemed to be in another world, eyes closed and breathing in the very soul of the music. Then he was straight into the Introduction e Rondo Capriccioso by Saint-Saens played with ferocious agility and still that sweet tone."
Peter Kooy, Die Burger, Cape Town, '08
"... a performance that will not lightly be forgotten by any of those present. Stylish, tasteful and impeccable - but this was so much more: here was deep musical understanding that ranged from tender intimacy to the greatest excitement, always backed up by an astonishing technical ability...the standing ovation was what this wonderful performance so richly deserved..."
Andrew Clark, Financial Times, Cadogan Hall, '08
" ... Rowland's spur-of-the-moment, light-on-the-bow inspiration, whereby the music vanished in the very act of articulation - a bewitching quality that few musicians possess. That Rowland likes to take risks - with engaging flashes of waywardness - became obvious in the Beethoven, to which he brought a febrile, livewire character, just as his pirouetting violin defined the sarcasm and irony of the Shostakovich."
Tim Ashley, The Guardian, Royal Albert Hall, Proms '05
"Glorious playing...ravishing in its finesse."
Haarlemse Courant, Netherlands
"with a great sense of lyricism Daniel Rowland plays these gorgeous sonatas. His whole body plays the violin, not through exaggerated movements - it is a charisma that's hard to put into words."
Paul Boekkooi, Pretoria News, '08
"Dozens of musicians of stature visit us every year and while some of them are efficient and even mature, very few of them connect closely to other musicians and their audiences. Daniel Rowland is a rare exception. In all three concerts I heard, there was a total feeling of sharing the experience: with the Johannesburg Philharmonic and conductor Bernhard Gueller, with local pianist Pieter Jacobs, and most of all with the Chamber Orchestra of South Africa on Sunday. What an exceptionally fine soloist and leader this young British/Dutch violinist is! We haven't had such an emotive, but also totally and truly a charismatic guest in a very long time....No wonder Rowland quoted Piazzolla as saying "no risk, no life" - Daniel Rowland approached Vivaldi in the same way. There were sharp contrasts in the solos, but also in the orchestral textures..the emotions, smouldering passions, the melancholy... Rowland transported us with daring and severity into the composers soul.
"There are traits of the great pedagogues he studied with in his playing - Gitlis, Krebbers and Igor Oistrakh - although the intensity and passion of it carries a stamp of a highly developed maturity, individuality and authenticity.. he brought genuine vision to the soaring, ecstatic lines. Rowland's sense of rapture is beguiling, as was his control of intonation..."
Igor Oistrakh, 1998
"I know Daniel Rowland by his memorable performances in Holland... He is a highly talented violinist - a virtuoso with a wonderful technique and a very impressive artistic temperament."
New Notes, '07
"...Daniel Rowland's heart stopping performance of Berio's Sequenza VIII."
De Twentsche Courant Tubantia, Netherlands, '01
"Violinist Daniel Rowland is one of those rare musicians who can let themselves be completely carried away by the music, and yet keep complete technical control. His playing is characterised by a burning intensity and a magnificent technique. He doesn't fear the extremes, and as a result deeply moves his audience... Phantasy and passion were also characteristics of the interpretation of Lutoslawsky's Partita. The richness of colors, the technique and above all sensuality of Daniel Rowlands playing were riveting."
The Herald, Glasgow, Bruch Concerto, '05
"Daniel Rowland won the Skene Award at the 1991 youth festival for his exeptionally fine playing. This year he was welcomed back as the soloist in Bruch's G minor violin concerto. It was not just the technical brilliance of his playing or the astonishing richness of his tone that gave his performance its unique stamp of quality. He radiated a single-minded intensity that made him seem totally at one with the music. The orchestra too, inspired by his wonderful sound, rose to the occasion... "
Evening Express, Aberdeen, Bruch Concerto, '05
"The concert included Brahms' second symphony and Bruch's violin concerto no. 1 with the brilliant Daniel Rowland as soloist. Rowland left a lasting impressing with his passionate, tender performance. What a bright star he is."
Badisches Tagblat, Baden-Baden, Brahms and Tchaikowsky Concertos with Baden Baden Philharmonie
"All beauties of violin playing were in evidence here: calm bow arm, needless to say faultless intonation and highest musicality. As all of it was as in one breath with the orchestra, we witnessed a masterful performance. Stormy applause for an Adagio says it all... (Brahms Concerto-Adagio)
"Completely naturally the sympathetic English violinist Daniel Rowland plays the Canzonetta with much feeling and intimacy. The following Finale was like a wild chase at the highest level. Rowland masters not just the fast, technically perfect playing, but can also create fine nuances on all levels. Bravo's and long applause was the result. (Tchaikowsky concerto)"
Thys Odendaal, Beeld, Johannesburg, soloist with COSA and JPO, '08
"Unforgettable Seasons - The visiting Rowland caused a stir in our concert halls with his absolute immersion in the music, always completely at the service of the composer. This has proved tremendously inspiring for the musicians sharing the stage with him, in this case COSA, that in this Seasons concert reached special artistic heights. Rowland, in the direct setting of the concert hall exuded an amazing control over his musical powers and a sense of life that the audience can share with similar abandon: every nuance and corner takes you on that refreshing journey that cause such great emotions. Rowland's bow arm, intonation and sonority and the constant healthy tension in musical colors reached wondrous heights in the complex passagework...and how touchingly the final bars were realized... (8 Seasons with COSA)
"Rowland is a wonderful violinist who with absolute technical control doesn't just easily supersede any of the many of the concerto's technical challenges but also manages to weave them into a highly articulate tale. His understanding of the work's form is immediately impressive. What in lesser hands might seem fragmented, in the impeccable hands of this soloist become a logical, sensuous musical essay - the complex solo part is never used a a vehicle for mere virtuoso display, but thankfully forms a graceful arch around his captivating ability to shape the lyrical episodes with a silvery timbre and floating phrasings. Here we witnessed a truly profound musician. (Prokoffief 2 with JPO)"
Rosa Sola, El Pais, Palau de Musica, Valencia, '10
"..he is a great violinist.."
La Sicilia, Catania, '01
"Vivaldi's famous Four Seasons, directed by the mefistofelico Daniel Rowland, a violinist of exceptional artistic talent, brought the evening to a magical close."
Die Burger, Cape Town, '09
"The succes and conviction and of the Seasons lay with Rowland. He handles the violin as an extra, but 'integral' limb. He creaps round the stage as an enfant terrible, dragging you and the ensemble along with the force of his magical imagination. His sound, even without vibrato, is rich and sweet as honey, his interpretation full of moodswings and he doesn't fear to let his violin scratch and groan."
Wenneke Savenije, NRC Handelsblad, Brahms Concerto at Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, 95
"Daniel Rowland... was admired for his great virtuosity, strong charisma and the fearlessness with which he approached the music... an intensely inspired and temperamental Brahms."
Evening Express, Aberdeen , Tchaikowsky concerto at Music Hall Aberdeen, '92
"With incredible power and passion, the violinist proved his worth as an outstanding musician with his stunning performance of the Tchaikowsky... A magical performance that sent shivers down the spine."