Rowena Arrieta: A Symphony of Worlds follows the extraordinary comeback of legendary Filipina pianist Rowena Arrieta as she embarks on her first international solo tour in over a decade. As she takes the stage across continents—from Manila to Moscow to New York—the documentary traces not only her present-day performances but the remarkable life that led her here. A child prodigy who learned to play by ear at age two, Rowena’s journey began in Manila, where she studied music at university by the time she was five. At sixteen, she left home for the Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War, becoming one of the youngest and only Asian women at the Moscow State Conservatory. There, she trained in brutal winters under intense political pressure and cultural isolation, preparing for the world’s most prestigious competition: the Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition. Against all odds, she emerged a laureate, forever altering the classical music landscape. Now in her sixties, Rowena reflects on a life of sacrifice and resilience while mentoring a new generation of musicians, passing down not just her technical brilliance, but her deep reverence for the art. Through stirring performances, rare archival footage, and candid moments off-stage, A Symphony of Worlds becomes a powerful meditation on legacy, identity, and the unshakable spirit of an artist who never stopped playing.
