EPTA (Belfast) pianist Rowel Friers (Yr 9) came first in the UK in the final of the EPTA (UK) piano competition 2016 held recently in London. He is the only person to have won it twice, he won in 2015 & 2016 back-to-back.
Rowel was competing against pianists from all over the United Kingdom to achieve his well-deserved Win. Rowel is pictured here with his adjudicators who are distinguished world-class classical Concert pianists: Noriko Ogawa, Leslie Howard and Artur Pizzaro. Big congratulations go to Rowel and his teacher Christine Isdell.
Some of the comments: – Noriko Ogawa who said of Rowel: “Fantastic dynamic range, powerful performance with original and individual ideas. Had a style of a real musical performance. ” “Intelligent pedaling”.
*Leslie Howard (Australia) said: “played with marvelous confidence and control.”
*Artur Pizarro said: “Confident, communicative performance. Good characterization”.
Photographed with Rowel centre are the adjudicators named in order as listed above left to right.
Rowel also performed for Head of Kawai Europe by special request.
Mr Takuya Sekine, Managing Director, Kawai Europe was visiting the music AA store Mr. Takuya Sekine was visiting AA Music in Lisburn and having been told of Rowel, the talented young Irish pianist who performs in Parliament each year. This interested Mr. Sekine, he requested AA Music to arrange a private performance from Rowel. AA music phoned and Rowel, delighted to have been invited, rushed to Lisburn through rush hour traffic after school had finished. The skills Rowel displayed on the K. Kawai Grand Piano’s Ivories brought smiles all round and especially to special guest Mr. Takuya Sekine, Managing Director, Kawai Europe. Right after Rowel’s performance Mr. Sekine spoke again with Rowel and offering his support to Rowel in any way that he could with his musical carrier. Mr. Sekine then presented Rowel with his card saying, “I will be in touch.” With that Rowel had to rush back to attend to his violin, organ, Piano and of course, homework!
Pictured Mr. Takuya Sekine and Rowel Elesio Friers
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