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I first came
across this exciting Australian pianist via the
informative New Age Reporter website. What stood out
to the reader amongst the hundreds of CDs reviewed,
was that Fiona Joy Hawkins won a NAR award for best
Piano album, enjoyed world-wide top spot in the New
Age Reporter charts, and (from her website) had been
a finalist in several categories in the MusicOz
awards. It was at this point I decided to check out
her music, and I am very glad that I did- suffice to
say that Fiona Joy Hawkins can now add a
Piano-Heaven award to her impressive list of
accolades!
Angel Above
My Piano is Fiona's second album, and is excellent
from start to finish. The album is the highly
impressive follow up to Portrait of a Waterfall, and
comes at a busy time for Fiona, as she releases her
highly original album "Ice" and prepares for a
project with the legendary Will Ackerman.
"Crystal
Desert" opens the CD, and this is a beautiful track.
It is part of the ‘Antarctic Interludes’ suite of
four tracks. Fiona visited Antarctica in 2006, and
her visit was clearly a source of inspiration. The
opening track is piano, guitar and light
orchestration; her accomplished playing suggesting a
place teeming with activity rather than emptiness.
Perhaps it really was an empty world, but the artist
was so in awe of what lay before her- its unrivalled
beauty and unique features- that the ensuing
composition had to be bursting with life. Fiona
feels the piece captures Antarctica. She explains
how she wanted to recreate.... "the atmosphere of
majesty, fragility and wilderness- to me this track
is Antarctica personified."
I love "Dance
of the Penguins". I imagine this would be great fun
to perform. Fiona spent time observing Adelie
penguins as part of her visit, and this piece
captures their playfulness. Very uplifting, this
piece soon bursts into life. One can almost
visualise the penguins' jollity.
Track 3,
"Flight of the Albatross" is very graceful. The
tempo is slowed, and it is as if this beautiful bird
has been immortalised forever through Fiona's
delicate piano playing. She explains how she was
completely mesmerised by the Albatross gliding
across the tip of the waves. In Fiona's own words,
"He just flew outside the window from the piano- as
if he knew I was writing his portrait." Subtle
guitar playing by Dieter Kleemann add to the beauty
of the composition. This piece could easily
accompany a film or documentary, and would make a
highly pleasing soundtrack.
The impeccable
standard continues into the fourth track, after
which the CD is named. The piece takes on extra
significance when the listener is made aware of the
inspiration for the composition. As Fiona explains,
"I have a charcoal drawing of an Angel hanging above
my piano. Painted by a friend diagnosed with cancer,
this is the Angel that came to him in a dream. The
angel marks time and signifies the strength we
search for in times of need. She looks like someone
you know, but no-one you have ever met." It is
certainly a lovely, graceful piece extenuated by the
brief but hauntingly beautiful violin playing of
Rebecca Daniel and Elizabeth Clooney.
The ‘Opus for
Love’ suite consists of nine tracks, opening with
the spirited 1st. Movement, "Love in Winter". The
first three pieces were written shortly after the
passing of Fiona's Grandmother. Listening to these
tracks, I get the feeling that the lady in question
led a very full life. As well as the pieces
capturing the pain caused by her loss, they very
successfully celebrate her life through the upbeat
nature of the music. I think my favourite is the
2nd. Movement, "Love Forever"- the title suggests
that the music is dedicated to someone who will
never be forgotten. The final movement, "Love in
Spring", is great fun to listen to and is a very
happy piece. I find it very majestic and is a
fitting tribute to a lady who was obviously very
special to the composer. The cello playing from
Trish McMeekin is delightful- I love the magical
combination of these two instruments.
"Watching the
Wind" is the album's eight track, and is another
beauty. There is a Japanese tinge to the music,
capturing an Acer Japonica amongst the Australian
plants in the garden. The source for this (at times)
dramatic track was the reflection of Fiona's garden
in the glass of The Angel painting on the wall above
her piano. It is curious how seemingly insignificant
things can actually be a great source of inspiration
to a musician.
Both "Down the
Aisle" (Wedding March 2) and "Thinking of You" are
delightful. I particularly like the flute and piano
combination from Veronica Kennedy and Fiona in the
latter track. The piece is a combination of a melody
written originally by her father, and a tune from
the pianist herself, and it makes for an impressive
end-product.
J.S. Bach has
clearly been an inspiration to Fiona, and Angel
Above My Piano's eleventh track is a nod of
gratitude to the master.
"The Child's
Game" is the penultimate track, although according
to the linear notes, this was the piece written
first for the album. It's designed to get the
listener thinking, and it is certainly
interesting... and very short!
The final track
sees a solo-piano outing for Love Forever (Track 6),
which I was delighted to hear again- this time
stripped down to its raw beauty.
I am extremely
impressed with this album. It maintains an
exceptionally high standard throughout. This is
music full of passion, and straight from the heart.
Very accessible, the music is highly melodic. The
other instruments embellish the gorgeous piano
playing but never allow the piano to leave
centre-stage.
I give Angel
Above My Piano my highest recommendation. It is pure
Piano-Heaven.
S.C. |
