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Most recent: South Africa Tour August/September 2008:
Pretoria News - Sept. '08
"What an exceptionally fine soloist this young British/Dutch violinist is! ... emotive and also totally and truly charismatic. No wonder Rowland quoted Piazzolla as saying " no risk, no life ". There were sharp contrasts, emotions, smouldering passions, melancholy... Rowland transported us with daring and severity into the composers soul"
"the intensity and passion 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"
Die Burger (Cape Town) - Sept. '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..."
Beeld (Johannesburg) - Sept '08 - recital
"Unforgettable Seasons - The visiting Rowland has caused a stir in our concert halls with his absolute idendification the music, always completely at the service of the composer. Rowland exuded a stupendous control over his musical powers which coupled with the extraordinary vividness of his playing allows the audience to share with similar abandon: every nuance and corner takes us on an emotional journey. Rowland's bow arm, intonation, sonority and his exceptional range musical colors reached wondrous heights..."
"What in lesser hands might seem fragmented, in the impeccable hands of this formidable soloist become a logical, sensuous musical essay - the complex solo part is never used a a vehicle for mere virtuoso display ... a captivating ability to shape the lyrical episodes with a silvery timbre and floating phrasings. " (Prokoffief Concerto no 2 - Johannesburg Phil.)
Other reviews:
Andrew Clark, Financial Times, Cadogan Hall March 2008
" ... 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, September 2005
" glorious...ravishing in its finesse."
The Glasgow Herald, Music Hall Aberdeen, August 2005
"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"
La Sicilia, Trecastagni Festival, August 2001
"Vivaldi's famous Four Seasons, directed by the mefistofelico Daniel Rowland, a violinist of exceptional artistic talent, brought the evening to a magical close."
The Scotsman, Glasgow, April 2 2000
"Soloist Daniel Rowland brought a special virtuosity to the work and he infected his colleagues with it"
Tubantia, Netherlands, April 2000
"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 thrilling."
"Violinist Daniel Rowland is one of those rare musicians who can let themselves be completely carried away by the music, and yet keep a complete technical assurance. His playing is characterised by a burning intensity and a magnificent technique. He doesn't fear the extremes, and as a result can deeply move his audience"
The Herald, August 1998
"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."
NRC Handelsblad, Concertgebouw, April 1995
"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, Music Hall Aberdeen, August 1992
"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"