Philip Adamson, Pianist & Pedagogue
Philip Adamson -Recitalist, recording artist, collaborative musician, orchestral musician, répétiteur, vocal soloist: Philip Adamson’s professional performing experience has been varied and wide-ranging. Born in Victoria, B.C., his first public music-making was as a church chorister at the age of six. Piano lessons began two years later, followed eventually by study at the Banff Centre and at the University of British Columbia with Boris Roubakine, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree. Graduate studies at Indiana University with Marion Hall culminated in a Doctoral degree in Piano Performance. He also studied in London, England with Kendall Taylor (piano) and John McCabe (contemporary British piano music).
Philip Adamson’s solo recitals frequently explore less familiar areas of the repertoire, and he has given first North American performances of several works from the twentieth century British and French piano repertoire. Recent programmes have focused on early twentieth century English music. He has performed across Canada and in the U.S. and Mexico, and has been heard on CBC, including two solo performances during this past season. An album of piano music by the French composer André Jolivet appeared last year on the Centaur label, eliciting such comments as “formidable technical prowess” and “powerful performance.”
Formerly a faculty member of Carleton University, the University of Ottawa and the University of Manitoba, Dr Adamson has taught for many years at the University of Windsor (Ontario, Canada). His unique approach to piano technique has been highly successful, and has resulted in interactive presentations and master classes on the subject. His courses on piano pedagogy have included placement of pedagogy students in private studio “mentorships” across the city of Windsor. During his eight-year service on the Board of Directors of the Canadian University Music Society, including a term as President, he assisted in promoting the largest increase in membership in that Society’s history. He has lectured and performed several times at the CUMS annual conferences.
Philip Adamson is also active as an adjudicator and clinician. His hobbies include photography and gardening.
