*Re the 'Autumn Suite', the late Claudio Scimone wrote: 'we are very proud to perform Your very brilliant and beautiful Suite.' and 'Thanks for Your kindest answer. Your work was interesting and wonderful and it was a fascinating experience for us all. Your personal charm and Your attractive style in speaking to the audience have conquered us completely.. I wish You always great success for the future and look forward meeting You again. Very friendly. Claudio Scimone'
*On 'In Memoriam': Really nice and has the feeling and lyrical emotion of the slow movement from the 2nd Brandenburg Concerto. Beautiful use of tonality/harmony/melody and instrumental writing. The oboe writing bringing out its vocal qualities.
*Re the 3rd movement of the 'Lucchesi Concerto' for double bass and baroque band 10/12/2022:
*"Your music took me away in a dream and I was up in the clouds..."
*"It was so exuberant, it was bursting at the seams"
*Andrew Blake, Wye Valley AONB Officer at Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB):
Dear Fiona Thanks for your message. 'Nature in the Ruins' was for me the highlight of a wonderful evening. I thought your piece was exquisite and, as you said, it worked perfectly in the space on that wonderfully still evening. I will always remember hearing your final note fade away as I looked up the columns to a roof of completely clear blue sky. Exceptional! Thank-you. Cheers, Andrew
*David Juritz after playing 'For Kate':
Hi Fiona, I felt very privileged to be part of such a wonderful evening. I enjoyed playing your piece (and good to know that you were happy with the way I played it!) It got a great reception from the audience - it very definitely connected with them. I'd be more than happy to play it again if the opportunity presents. Thanks again for your encouragement - it was a very memorable concert for me and lovely to be welcomed into such a lovely community. Best wishes, David
*Michael Gollop after 'For Kate':
Thank you, Fiona - it's moving beyond words to express. And Kate, who began as a Shostakovich specialist in the U.S., would have approved of that recurring motif. ❤️
*Ann Parsons nee Greensmith, Re: 'Mystical Swan in Blue': Tony and I were so pleased to meet you and Nick at the world premiere of your wonderful sonata for piano. I have huge admiration for what you have achieved in this very imaginative piece and was so glad that it received the performance it deserved. Charles Matthews is an excellent pianist whom I have always rated for his technical and musical sensitivity, so you could not have chosen a better performer for your amazing work. Well done! I would love to hear more of your successes. I am sure there will be many to come, so please keep me posted! Much love, Ann
*One audience member said the swan started off each movement sedately and then seemed to go off and have adventures! She wondered what sort of a journey each one would bring! :)
*Charlie B (oboe NBS) Re the Piano Trio concert: 'Reflections on Motherhood' etc 2019: Congratulations on a lovely concert today - beautifully played by the Trio, and so lovely to hear your music played live. It has a distinctive and warm voice - a reflection of yourself I think!
*Nicoletta Desiderati: 'Reflections on Motherhood': Fiona T Frank come ho già scritto un pezzo che mi ha fatto vibrare le corde dell'anima. Complimenti !!! ❤️
*JosVagz about 'Rainy Autumn Day' for violin and piano played by Laura Bianco and Maggie S Lorelli of 'Le Musae Ensemble' (version for Violin and Piano) at the Villa Tesoriera Turin, on 22nd February 2022: "Magnifica Fiona me encanta su frescura ingeniosa ♥️👏🏻" JosVagz About the excerpt of 'La Pizzica': Intensamente fascinante, exquisita 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻♥️👌🏻
*Milena Popova on 'In Memoriam': Just listened to it - and loved it. It reminds me so much of the vitality, gentleness and sheer musicality of my beloved Vivaldi, and yet is so original, so inspiring, so enjoyable in its own way. Wonderful! Thank you so much!
*Dr Octavia (after 'Free as a Bird' for cello and piano was performed in Brussels by Johannes Burghoff, cello & Mamia Akhledviani, piano - Osmose Festival, 3rd December 2016) Another imaginative and inspired composition by Fiona Frank. Lovely!
*Keith Bray (Composer & Musician): Re 'Call of the Wild': Chattering busy rhythmic cells and lovely melody.
*Keith Bray, on 'Waters of the Wye' 20.02.2017: Nice writing for both families. The curving beginning almost violin like in its arching/waving arpeggio motion. And adore the unexpected fast staccato(scherzo) section, where the bodhrun comes in, toward the end. Very exhausting for the clarinettist who has given you a superb interpretation of the piece. Beautiful and I can hear the River Wye flowing as well as dancing. Aargh! As regards writing for wind instruments Bach had the same problem so you are not alone. His flute Sonatas were written from a string point of view and its up to the player to find the breathing spaces. But its always possible and thats why your clarinettist has solved the slight problem for you. I love the sound world you've given it and although technically very demanding the watery world you intended does that perfectly. Really strong powerful piece. I did spot the wooden clarinet which gave it a period authentic quality. What I'm most impressed by is that as a composer you have managed to sustain the musical interest using one main instrument. Not an easy thing to do in order to maintain a listeners interest. Somehow you've used both melody and arpeggio motion to maintain that interest. Lots of flowing motion that peaks then extends and re peaks with implied harmonic changes. Nice touch and well thought out. Really proud of your achievement and really good to hear the piece. Love from Keith. Next step Symphonic. The muse will be there to guide you along with your own musical instincts. XXX.
*Keith Bray 22/03/2016, Re 'Autumn Suite': Have given all three movements a good listen. Incredibly intense and expressionistic without resorting to the out and out extremes of twelve note music. It has a British sensibility and feeling for nature. If there's any comparison then Michael Tippett comes to mind-its has a similar density and advanced language but still within tonality. The third movement is highly concentrated and almost breaks the bounds of the medium. Its all feels very symphonic in its scope and range and look forward to hearing a full orchestral piece by you. It comes across as a string sinfonietta and highly condensed. A big thumbs up from me. Oh Yes! Also Elgars Introduction and Allegro for strings comes to mind as well-your composition has within it a similar approach. You are without out doubt on the right road. All the very best from Keith. And like Elgar you are violinist. So was Paul Klee come to think of it. Mwauhs.
*Keith Bray, Re 'Mystical Swan': I already adore the opening and the Db major/Bb minor key. Very bluesy. A favourite key of Chopins so you are already there for me. There's a lot more to it though as it veers off in all sorts of directions so l need time to digest the material. There's already a feel of Bach in the transition sections but filtered through a contemporary view. Same way that Bartok was influenced by Bach. Its already seems to look back as well as forward which for me is a sign that the composer has absorbed their influences without being direct quotes. Don't worry as its good stuff but l need time to really examine it in detail. XXX.
*Keith Bray, about 'In Memoriam': Really nice and has the feeling and lyrical emotion of the slow movement from the 2nd Brandenburg Concerto. Beautiful use of tonality/harmony/melody and instrumental writing. The oboe writing bringing out its vocal qualities. Worth the wait.
*Keith Bray: 'Reveries on a River journey' July 2016 Monmouth Festival: Just gave it a spin. What lyricism within you. Pouring out like an Ocean. And thank the gods you've stayed clear of the Second Viennese school and remained true and faithful to your musical heart. This really is your time to shine. Excellent recording of it as well. XXX.
*Keith Bray: Beautiful writing for string quartet. Echoes of Elgar and Vaughan Williams pastoralism and much needed in these uncertain times. XXX. I just really enjoyed your writing for string quartet. Only a string player could compose so well for such a difficult and homogeneous gathering of players. Hat off to you dear Fiona. More please! What!!!! More. Yes please. XXX.
*Michael Bell: Composer/Musician M.Mus Bristol University Absolutely beautiful. You have the wilds of Moravia in your blood!
*Marina Romani (Composer, Rome): I agree with Keith. Beautiful writing for strings! so... write, write, write!
Re 'Signs of Change' for piano played by Maria Marchant: But what I heard was in many ways a darker piece than I was expecting. Possibly because of the initial motivic idea that stresses the tritone and the diminished chord within it. Though I was impressed by the piano writing and the contrasts of mood you were able to invoke.
*Elaine Atkins 'Piano trios etc': 'It is clear you have a deep insight into the violin and the range and possibilities of the instrument. Concerto next? '
*Charlotte Moncrieff - 'Bristol...piano trios': Thank you so much for the wonderful concert, it was a joy and a privilege to be there xxx
*James Drummond, Violist, National Orchestra of Wales: after the St Woolos ensemble concert of Fiona's music: Hi Fiona. Thank you very much. We enjoyed working with your music, enormously. It’s always lovely to discover new music. I had many lovely comments from the audience, too. I’m glad we have had this opportunity to play some of your music and I look forward to discovering more, in future. Many thanks to you and Nick for supporting us, this evening!
*Luisa Russo: Your music comes from the Sky! And there are many Angels with you!
Recommendations:
I have had the pleasure of knowing Fiona for over 10 years, both as a great musician and vibrant personality. I would recommend her for any project as a personal and professional breath of fresh air. I have worked in chamber ensembles with Fiona, performing her own and other works. Her attention to detail is balanced with her pleasant manner, resulting in high quality performance, professional integrity and a lot of humour. Having performed and listened to many of Fiona’s compositions, I believe that her musicianship and compositional skills capture something exceptional and individual. But Fiona is a delightfully unique individual and any chance to celebrate her contribution to music and community values, should be grabbed with delight.
Lesley Willcocks MA (Cantab); PGDE (University of Glasgow)
Fiona is an all round creative person equally at home in music and the visual arts. She has an innate feeling for landscape and nature. Her musical and visual imagination go hand in hand. She has already proved her compositional abilities with previous works composed for chamber ensembles in various combinations. Being an accomplished violinist her musicianship is of a very high technical standard. Such compositional ability needs encouragement and support and deserves to be heard.
Keith Bray, Composer & Musician & Artist/Poet
Fiona is a gifted musician and composer and has had numerous chamber compositions performed in Europe. She is also a gifted painter and her music and painting go hand in hand which is often the case with composers. Her style is constantly evolving and comes from a genuine place without being overly complex yet imbued with a real sense for lyricism and tone painting. Fiona is more than just a composer as she is a violinist and has explored many musical styles and genres and has a rich musical palette to draw from.
Keith Bray, Composer & Musician & Artist/Poet
I know Fiona from her time playing in the New Bristol Sinfonia, an orchestra I used to conduct. Already then, I was struck by the warmth and enthusiasm of her playing, her keen ear and general musicality. All of these come across in her composition. Her pieces are lyrical, thoughtful and accessible, and she clearly knows how to write effectively for the forces at hand, whether a solo violin or a chamber orchestra. From what I've heard, she matches this with an expert handling of structure and form, and I recommend her strongly as a composer who would respond to an orchestral commission with great imagination and professionalism, creating a piece that both players and audience would really enjoy.
Jonathan James, Director Bristol Pre-Conservatoire, BSO Associate, 'Discovery Guide' for BBC NOW
If you would like to provide a comment, please email fiona(dot)frank(at)uwclub(dot)net.