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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.
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