The American Organist
“Cowan’s performance was stunning. [His] playing displayed understanding of the composer’s intentions and allowed one to hear the beauty of the various families of color on this glorious instrument. There was passion and fire in this virtuosic performance [Max Reger’s fantasia on Wie schön leucht’ uns der Morgenstern]. Cowan’s careful and wonderfully sensitive musical interpretation of all the variations, and in particular, the powerful texts of the concluding verses, moved this writer to tears.” (The 2004 National Convention of the AGO in Los Angeles)
The Diapason
IL “… one of the most outstanding young organist on the scene today. His unassuming manner and his sure and relaxed technique hide a fiery yet totally musical approach to organ playing."
The Diapason
“His playing was nothing short of superb.”
ClevelandClassical.com
“All in all, this evening was one of the most memorable organ performances we’ve heard in years …” (2009 National Convention of the Organ Historical Society)
The Diapason
““His unassuming demeanor complements the dual nature of his playing – a combination of technical virtuosity and great musical understanding and sensitivity.” (2004 Organ Historical Society Convention in Buffalo)
The Post-Journal
“ORGANIST GIVES WORLD-CLASS PERFORMANCE”
Organ Canada
“… an absolutely stunning recital by Ken Cowan.”
The American Organist
“… let me assure you that we who heard this recital came away convinced of a glorious future for organ playing.”
Kalamazoo Gazette
“COWAN GIVES MAJESTIC LIFE TO PIPE ORGAN”
The American Organist
“[There is] no doubt as to the player’s extraordinary muscle and aptitude.”
“… a virtuosic performance on the IV/110 Schoenstein organ in the First Plymouth Congregational Church in Lincoln Nebraska.” “The program opens with a delightful arrangement by Cowan himself of the Liszt Mephisto Waltz No. 1, a favorite of pianists that achieves real freshness with the greater colors of the symphonic organ, and the technical display is just as exciting as on a piano.”
Journal of the Association of Anglican Musicians, May-June, 2009
Ken Cowan plays the Quimby Pipe Organ at First Baptist Jackson, MS
“Ken Cowan is one of the most brilliant young organists on the scene today. His program and performances here are certainly heroic, tailor made for this instrument, exploiting its seemingly limitless tonal resources. His ‘orchestrations’ of Wagner’s Overture from Die Meistersinger rival the original; the final pages are spellbinding in Cowan’s brilliance of execution. … This is an organ of which the earlier legends of transcription such as Best and Lemare would be proud. Ken Cowan is as apt a candidate as any to inherit their mantle.”
The American Organist (June 2008)
“The Quimby organ is a vast beast, but Ken Cowan is able to tame it in a programme that combines virtuosity and drive … Cowan’s articulation is particularly evident, as is [his] ability to use the many tone colors of the instrument to best effect … this is difficult stuff, but Cowan makes it sound easy, and very enjoyable …”
The Organ, November 2007
“[The] Saint-Saëns, Moszkowski and Poulenc selections are arrangements by Cowan and they are splendid … Cowan’s Poulenc piece flies along with the ease and speed of concert pianists … an outstanding performance by the young artist.”
American Record Guide
Ken Cowan plays the EM Skinner at the Parish Church of St. Luke in Evanston, IL
“Altogether this is one of the finest compact discs I have heard in some time, and I thoroughly recommend it.”
The Diapason
“This is a “must-have” for those who seek excellence in performance and recording.”
The American Organist
“Ken Cowan’s performances show a good grasp of the musical architecture of the pieces and his perfect command of the registration changes means that colours and textures are seamlessly interwoven.”
Organists’ Review
1930 Skinner organ, Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church, Morristown, New Jersey
“When the artist is Ken Cowan, it is a given that the performance will be flawless and satisfying, that the registrations will show off the instrument to its best advantage, and that there will be a wide range of composers represented … this recording surpasses expectations. Highly recommended.”
The American Organist
Ken Cowan plays the EM Skinner at Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian Church, Detroit Michigan
“I have never heard this performed with more virtuosity, nor with a more apt use of colour … There is much to return to in this disc …”
Organists’ Review
“Cowan has that innate skill to turn the organ into an orchestra. Highly recommended.”
The Organ
“… awe-inspiring technique … the phrasing and registrations are superbly evocative.”
Organ Alternatives
“Mr. Cowan’s performance has all the bravura and drama of the best orchestral recordings.”
Organ Alternatives