The 7 movement suite for piano 'Mystical Swan in Blue' was written after an extraordinary encounter with a swan, at twilight on the banks of the River Wye in January 2021. Her dazzling white feathers shone in the misty blue twilight, set off by the saturated green grass as the sun sank behind the trees.
"The poise & elegance of the Swan has been a powerful icon for me in my communion with Nature. Her nobility, power & other-worldly qualities are majestic & inspiring."
The Swan has been rendered immortal by various composers, leaving an indelible mark on musical history, and exciting imagination and originality. Swans are not usually seen on their own and are mates for life unless something interferes with this. Whilst maintaining great dignity & poise, the swan became a representation of serenity & fortitude in the face of adversity.
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The 7-movement piano suite 'Mystical Swan in Blue' was premiered by Charles Matthews in a lunchtime concert at Rugby parish church on 8th February 2022, and given a second performance on February 18th in Shipston-on-Stour.
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After being interviewed by Ieva Dubova for a podcast in her series 'Creative Portraits', Fiona was put in touch with the beautiful & remarkably gifted dancer, Anita Garcia Grosse, who has interpreted the pieces in dance, choreographing each movement herself.
'Mystical Swan in Blue' featured in a concert in Henleaze
'Mystical Swan in Blue' was performed in a lunchtime concert in Henleaze, Bristol on 17th September by Charles Matthews, who had premiered it at Rugby parish church in February. It is available to watch here.
'Mystical Swan in Blue' was the main piece in this beautifully devised programme entitled 'Music for the Birds' & performed entirely from memory by Charles Matthews. Charles gave the world premiere in Rugby in February. Fiona says of this work,
"The swan represents the still place within our deepest self, whilst the flowing river and the ephemeral aspects of the landscape throughout the days & the seasons, are the outer world. It is as if the swan is completely still & the surroundings move by/through her/him. I found great inspiration from this lone swan, who maintains grace & poise on the water, whilst murky undercurrents & layers lie beneath the surface. We need to protect our precious waters & their wildlife from factory farming & sewage release".
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Charles featured 'Mystical Swan in Blue' again in an all-contemporary concert in Newport Cathedral, St Woolos, at lunchtime on 12th August 2023.
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Charles repeated his performance of 'Mystical Swan in Blue' at Warwick Unitarian Chapel on 19th August.
Centre: Charles with 3 of the 4 living composers featured in the concert: Ryan Probert, Fiona Frank, Charles Matthews and John Rushby-Smith at Warwick Unitarian Chapel on 19th August. Not present: Michael Robinson
Fiona T Frank - piano suite 'Mystical Swan in Blue'
