Role

:

Composer

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

1954 in England

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

 

Opera

 

Robert Rowe was an American composer and music educator who was born on August 22, 1949, in New York City. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a jazz pianist and his mother a classical pianist. Rowe began playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. He went on to study music at the Manhattan School of Music, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1971. After completing his undergraduate studies, Rowe continued his education at the University of California, San Diego, where he earned a Master of Arts degree in 1973 and a Ph.D. in music composition in 1977. While at UCSD, Rowe studied with renowned composers such as Roger Reynolds, Robert Erickson, and Pauline Oliveros. Throughout his career, Rowe was known for his innovative approach to music composition, which often incorporated electronic and computer-generated sounds. He was particularly interested in exploring the relationship between music and technology, and his works often featured complex rhythms and textures that were created using computer algorithms. One of Rowe's most notable works is his 1985 composition "The Garden of Cyrus," which was commissioned by the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. The piece is a tribute to the English philosopher Sir Thomas Browne and is based on his book "The Garden of Cyrus." The work features a complex interplay of electronic and acoustic sounds, with the orchestra being augmented by a computer-generated sound system. Another notable work by Rowe is his 1991 composition "The Three Graces," which was commissioned by the Kronos Quartet. The piece is based on the Greek mythological figures of the same name and features a complex interplay of electronic and acoustic sounds. The work was praised for its innovative use of technology and its ability to create a unique and immersive listening experience. In addition to his work as a composer, Rowe was also a respected music educator. He taught at the University of California, San Diego, from 1977 to 2008, where he was a professor of music and the director of the Center for Research in Computing and the Arts. He was also a visiting professor at numerous universities around the world, including the University of Paris, the University of Tokyo, and the University of Melbourne. Throughout his career, Rowe received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to music. In 1991, he was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, which allowed him to continue his work as a composer. He was also a recipient of the Prix Ars Electronica, one of the most prestigious awards in the field of electronic music. Robert Rowe passed away on December 30, 2019, at the age of 70. His contributions to the field of music composition and his innovative use of technology continue to inspire musicians and composers around the world.

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