Edward R. Mowrey was born on May 12, 1950, in New York City. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a professional pianist and his mother a singer. From a young age, Mowrey showed a natural talent for music and began playing the piano at the age of four. Mowrey's parents recognized his talent and encouraged him to pursue a career in music. He began taking piano lessons with renowned pianist and teacher, Rosina Lhevinne, at the Juilliard School in New York City. Under Lhevinne's guidance, Mowrey developed a deep understanding of classical music and honed his technical skills. In 1968, Mowrey graduated from the Juilliard School with a Bachelor of Music degree. He then went on to study with pianist and teacher, Leon Fleisher, at the Peabody Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. Fleisher was a major influence on Mowrey's musical development, teaching him the importance of interpretation and expression in music. Mowrey's career as a concert pianist began in the early 1970s. He quickly gained recognition for his virtuosic performances and his ability to bring out the emotional depth of the music he played. In 1973, he won the prestigious Naumburg International Piano Competition, which launched his career as a soloist. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Mowrey performed extensively throughout the United States and Europe. He played with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. He also performed at major music festivals, such as the Salzburg Festival and the Edinburgh Festival. Mowrey's repertoire was vast and included works by many of the great composers, such as Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin, and Rachmaninoff. He was particularly known for his interpretations of the music of Franz Liszt, which he played with great passion and intensity. In addition to his career as a soloist, Mowrey was also a dedicated teacher. He taught at the Peabody Institute, the Juilliard School, and the Manhattan School of Music. He was known for his ability to inspire his students and help them develop their own unique musical voices. Mowrey's career was not without its challenges. In the early 1990s, he was diagnosed with focal dystonia, a neurological condition that affects the muscles used in playing the piano. Despite this setback, Mowrey continued to perform and teach, adapting his technique to accommodate the condition. In 1995, Mowrey was awarded the Avery Fisher Prize, one of the most prestigious awards in classical music. The prize recognized his outstanding contributions to the field of classical music and his dedication to the art form. Mowrey continued to perform and teach until his death on December 23, 2014, at the age of 64. He left behind a legacy as one of the greatest pianists of his generation, known for his technical brilliance, emotional depth, and dedication to the art of classical music.

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