Fiona T Frank : "MYSTICAL SWAN IN BLUE" for piano Movement 1 of 7 performed by Charles Matthews

Fiona wrote this 7 movement piano suite 'Mystical Swan in Blue' after an extraordinary encounter at twilight with a lone swan on the banks of the River Wye in January 2021. This was during the days of restricted travel when walks were sacrosanct. His/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. Swans are not the only forms of wildlife that are threatened by the effects of pollution in our rivers. Each movement takes you on a unique journey with the swan. Movement 6 particularly expresses going 'Against the tide'. 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. Through these challenging times, we need to be the Swan. Fiona 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. To read more about the 'Mystical Swan' (& see the 'Swan' choreographed & danced by Anita Grosse) and other works by Fiona, please see her website :- https://www.fiona-frank.com/ Charles Matthews is also an Organist, Harpsichordist, Composer & Teacher and teaches at the Birmingham Conservatoire. To learn more about his activities please see his website :- http://www.charlesmatthews.co.uk/