Ruth Rose, pianist

ruth-2Ruth Rose is a pianist whose repertoire ranges from the Baroque and Romantic to the contemporary. Her playing has been praised by the Denver Post for her “truly memorable performance” and by the Washington Post for her “blooming romanticism … a deep, warm sound … rich interpretations … and a smooth singing quality.” The Dutch press was impressed by “the rhythm, sharpness and color of her Albéniz … her blend of an enormous temperament with refined humor … and the excellence with which she creates moods”. The Peruvian press has commended her “brilliant Chopin”.

Ruth Rose has performed extensively in recital, with orchestra and as a chamber musician in Europe, the United States and South America. She has appeared at Merkin Hall, the Chicago Cultural Center, Kennedy Center, American University, the San Diego Repertory Theater, and other prestigious venues, and soloed with such ensembles as the Chamber Orchestra of Florida and the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional of Peru.

She resided for many years in Amsterdam, and has appeared in the main Dutch venues like the Concertgebouw, de Ijsbreker, Vredenburg and De Doelen, as well as at the Amsterdam Uitmarkt Festival, the Kurtagiade and the Spring Festival in The Hague. She has also been a guest performer for radio broadcasts in the Netherlands with live recitals and recordings of Spanish, South American and contemporary music.

As a committed performer of new music, Ruth Rose works closely with younger as well as established composers, many of whom have dedicated pieces to her. Amongst the groundbreaking works she has premiered are Daniel Landau’s “She’s looking” for piano and tape and Rene Samson’s “Episodes” for 2 pianos tuned a quarter tone apart. She is a founding member of the renowned “Concerten tot en met” contemporary series in Amsterdam, and has performed with the Contemporary Music Forum at the Corcoran Gallery in Washington DC. Frequent collaborations include the In Series, Anderson House, and as a member of the Great Noise Ensemble.

Her most recent project involved a series of performances with new piano solo works for the Baltimore Composers Forum, culminating with the BCF 20th anniversary concert. Current projects include performances and a recording of works based on the Italian Commedia dell’arte.

Based in Washington DC since 2003, Ruth Rose was born in Peru and received her initial training with Teresa Quesada. She is a graduate of the Peabody Conservatory, where she studied with Walter Hautzig and earned a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree. She earned a Performing Musician Diploma  from the Utrecht Conservatory, and has served on the faculty of the Utrecht Conservatory and the Amsterdam and Zoetermeer music schools. Ruth Rose also worked as a Braille music transcriber for the Amsterdam Library for the Blind.

Ruth Rose maintains an active piano studio in Northwest Washington DC. She has been a faculty member of the Washington Conservatory and an active board member of the Washington Music Teachers Association. She regularly adjudicates piano competitions in the Baltimore-Washington area. Ruth Rose has released a CD, Spanish and Latin American Piano Music.