Fiona Joy Hawkins’ Captures 600 Years in a Moment

July 2, 2013 - PRLog -- If someone told you your life could all come together in a moment, would you believe them?  Would you be ready to embrace it all?  These are the questions seemingly evoked by pianist, composer and singer Fiona Joy Hawkins’ epic and most significant album titled 600 Years in Moment.  The album’s visually-stunning cover art, by Australian artist Andy Wilson, fully conveys the imaginative nature and emotional expansiveness of her work.  The album’s high-end production and format offerings (CD, SACD, Double Vinyl) contrast with the album’s ancient sounds and opening whisper, “Far from the shore, the winds will whisper, 600 Years and I’ll be home.”  With this ground-breaking release, Hawkins brings us the best of both worlds, old and new.

Grammy-winning producer Will Ackerman calls the Australian artist one of the brightest lights in the contemporary instrumental genre.  Commenting on this album, several years in the making, Hawkins says “I have often wondered how globalization affects music and how history changes our perception of instruments and the musical culture of our ancestors.  It begs the whole question of cultures disappearing and the world becoming one big melting pot of genetics and cultures. Although, music has its own evolution and there are always modern elements; we seem to allow history to co-exist with our modern approach."
Hawkins’ final statement on the issue is 600 Years in a Moment itself, which was recorded using a contemporary piano from Stuart & Sons and ancient instruments from around the world.  Hawkins’ vision was to bring together top musicians, their instruments and unique sounds from villages across the globe to explore the hidden musical treasures of cultures in a modern musical setting. The album is eclectic, acoustic, beautifully produced, and defies genre by bringing Classical, Jazz and World music together with New Age. There are 12 tracks in all, most extending beyond five minutes in length.

A central element in this album is the 120-key Stuart and Sons piano, of which Hawkins became aware after a move to Newcastle NSW. Knowing her passion for every note, a friend suggested she visit one of his clients nearby who happened to make pianos.  “The Stuart piano factory was literally two minutes from where I was living.  It was an unfortunate time in my life where for over a year I had no piano at all. Then I met Wayne Stuart who offered his showroom full of concert grands for me to practice.”  Partway through recording 600 Years, Hawkins was featured in a segment about the piano on NPR’s Morning Edition, http://www.npr.org/2011/01/18/132945634/musical-innovatio...).

Hawkins plans to support the release with a U.S. Tour this Fall 2013 with fellow Australian artist Trysette; for tour dates and tickets, go to www.twograndimyours.com.  Hawkins’ 2012 tour garnered strong reviews; her status as an ARIA Finalist, MusicOZ Winner, ZMR Album of the Year winner, and IMA Finalist ensures that she is set to deliver a powerful live performance for her fans.  To preview, visit: http://youtu.be/sxuN650ABbw.


The album is available for download and in CD, SACD hybrid/multichannel 5.1 surround sound and Vinyl (as double gatefold 180 gsm) manufactured by Furnace, in Holland, for the audiophile market.
For international sales info, visit www.fionajoyhawkins.au; U.S. purchases also available via CDBaby and iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/600-years-in-a-moment/i...)

For information contact orders@littlehartleymusic.com.au
For Media and PR bethhilton@thebcompany.com
www.fionajoyhawkins.com.au  
www.youtube.com/fionajoy
http://www.twograndimyours.com/tour-dates.html