Werner TruckbyttenAmon Rowley has been the subject of much curiosity and misinformation during the past few years. Few biographical facts are available, as a result of the scrupulous attention allotted to the concealment of such details of his life, cautiously guarded by the great man himself, whose efforts at preventing a high-profile were very successful. One might say he was the “Garbo” of the avant-garde music world.
His birth-date* is variously recorded as 1909, 1911, 1913, and 1917. The report of his death in 1980, as a victim of drowning near a small island off westernBali , has never been actually proven, for the body of the deceased was never located.
Adding to these difficulties of documentation, is the loss of all of Rowley’s legal papers and known personal papers in a fire which destroyed everything at his home on the English coast near Middleton-on-Sea. Oddly, the fire occurred while Rowley was away on his fatal trip toIndonesia
Not-withstanding all of these problems, there are examples of existing letters, notes, and ephemera, and a complete diary from the years 1936-41, in the archives of the T.R.I. London**, and from time to time some new item of Rowleyabilia will surface.
One truth can be stated without compunction however, and that is Amon Rowley’s undisputed genius as a Maestro. His works are undoubtedly among the most prized jewels in the crown of contemporary modernist music. In the following papers I seek to ensconce Rowley in his rightful historical place among the great composers and to clarify his unique vision which deserves more comprehensive public attention.
*Rowley was born at sea aboard the MS. Ivernia. His father was a British naval officer and ships physician, Caruthers Rowley. His mother, Madeline Duran-Arneau Rowley was an accomplished concert pianist. In a letter (posted fromNew York City
** Trash Research InstituteLondon 22 Petersham Place
His birth-date* is variously recorded as 1909, 1911, 1913, and 1917. The report of his death in 1980, as a victim of drowning near a small island off western
Adding to these difficulties of documentation, is the loss of all of Rowley’s legal papers and known personal papers in a fire which destroyed everything at his home on the English coast near Middleton-on-Sea. Oddly, the fire occurred while Rowley was away on his fatal trip to
Not-withstanding all of these problems, there are examples of existing letters, notes, and ephemera, and a complete diary from the years 1936-41, in the archives of the T.R.I. London**, and from time to time some new item of Rowleyabilia will surface.
One truth can be stated without compunction however, and that is Amon Rowley’s undisputed genius as a Maestro. His works are undoubtedly among the most prized jewels in the crown of contemporary modernist music. In the following papers I seek to ensconce Rowley in his rightful historical place among the great composers and to clarify his unique vision which deserves more comprehensive public attention.
*Rowley was born at sea aboard the MS. Ivernia. His father was a British naval officer and ships physician, Caruthers Rowley. His mother, Madeline Duran-Arneau Rowley was an accomplished concert pianist. In a letter (posted from
** Trash Research Institute
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