New CD release: "His recordings of my two works, the 'Suite for guitar, Opus 41' and the 'Concerto for Guitar and String Orchestra, Opus 56' reveals in the performer a solid sense of structure and phrasing allied with a great musical sensitivity, all of this supported by an excellent instrumental technique." -Composer Jacques Hetu "Ses enregistrements de mes deux oeuvres, la Suite pour guitare Opus 41 et le Concerto pour guitare et orchestre à cordes Opus 56 révèlent chez l'interprète un sens solide de la structure et du phrasé allié à une grande sensibilité musicale, le tout soutenu par une excellente technique instrumentale." Concert Reviews:"Francois' program was excellent due to his artistry, his choice of material and his rapport with the audience. He spoke about the pieces he played and that made it more enjoyable for the listeners...This beautiful music was played by a masterful guitarist...The first thing that came to my mind as the audience left was we must get him back again soon...I have the feeling this could be the start of something very big." -Arnold Landsberg, Connecticut Classical Guitar Society, Newsletter"The most substantial of the evening's offerings was the 'Guitar Concerto, op.56' of Jacques Hétu. Although it is a work of great sophistication and technical difficulty, it is among the composer's more accessible works. Guitarist François Fowler rendered the solo part with utter aplomb and the musicality of his interpretation was supported in fine style by Streatfeild and the orchestra. Fowler says Hétu is the most frequently performed Canadian composer here and internationally. If this is so, it shows that there's some justice in the world of music." -Richard Todd, The Ottawa Citizen, Ottawa, Canada "On April 10, 2003, Canadian guitar virtuoso Francois Fowler played the final concert of the Springfield Classical Guitar Society's 2002/2003 season...Our final concert artist almost left us breathless with his fluidity of playing; never a hesitation or rush and clear feel for the piece at hand. He introduced each piece matter-of-factly without waxing loquacious or giddy and with commendable economy of words...Our only regret was that this wonderfully talented young artist had no CDs for sale. There is no doubt that he would have sold out, following his outstanding performance. No one your earnest webmeister has heard, during the past eight SCGS concerts, has made a faster, almost stunning, first impression with his riveting virtuosity! I say this, fully appreciating the incredible talent of every performer to favor Springfield and SCGS by their appearance in our fair city." -Job Conger, Springfield Classical Guitar Society, Newsletter, IllinoisAbout Francois Fowler:Guitarist François Fowler has given recitals in the United States, Canada and Mexico, including concerts in Denver, Hartford, Los Angeles, Ottawa, Montréal, Rochester, Seattle, and San Jose, and has appeared with orchestras in Canada and the United States. In 2002, CBC Records released his world-premiere recording of Canadian composer Jacques Hétu’s Concerto pour guitare et orchestre à cordes, Op.56. Fowler’s new CD entitled Nocturne includes Canadian composer Jacques Hétu’s Concerto for guitar and Suite for guitar, solo guitar pieces by Swiss composer Hans Haug, and a unique miniature by American composer Brian Head (Chant found in Scott Tennant’s Pumping Nylon). Fowler received his Bachelor of Music from the University of Ottawa, Canada in 1996 where he was the first guitarist to be awarded the Isobel Firestone Performance Scholarship (1995). A student of Ed Honeywell, he also performed in master classes with legendary Scottish guitarist David Russell. In the summers of 1992 through 1996, Fowler attended the renowned Domaine Forget Académie de Musique in Québec, where he performed in master classes with the world’s leading musicians including Manuel Barrueco and Roberto Aussel. In 2002, Fowler received a Doctorate in Music from the Florida State University. As a teaching assistant (1996-2002) to Professor Bruce Holzman, he was responsible for teaching applied lessons, ensembles, and a two-semester course in guitar history and literature. Fowler is a recipient of national and international prizes including the 2001 Guitar Foundation of America (GFA) International Guitar Competition and the 1997 Gibson Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Guitar Competition. He has been the recipient of grants and awards including the prestigious Presser Foundation Graduate Music Award, and the Florida Artist Enhancement Grant 2004.A faculty member at the Dana School of Music (Youngstown State University, Ohio), Fowler maintains an active guitar studio and coaches guitar ensembles. Fowler is a former faculty member at Darton College in Albany, Georgia, and has been invited to teach master classes, and judge guitar competitions including the Guitar Foundation of America International Guitar Competition, the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Collegiate Guitar Competition, and the Columbus State University Guitar Symposium. Fowler has performed recitals in colleges and guitar festivals in North America including at La Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León in Monterrey, Mexico, and the 2004 Guitar Foundation of America (GFA) International Festival in Montréal, Canada.
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