A mix and fusion of New Age, classical and neo-classical, neo-celtic and western european-folk harmony, melody and rhythm. Played on acoustic piano, digital pianos and keyboards, with layered and midi-supported orchestral and band interpretations.

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The songs start coming in February, Album Writing Month!

see www.fawm.org for more info on the February challenge!

PIANO AND KEYBOARD REFLECTIONS

THE MUSIC

A mix and fusion of New Age, classical and neo-classical, neo-celtic and western european-folk harmony, melody and rhythm. Played on acoustic piano, digital pianos and keyboards, with layered and midi-supported orchestral and band interpretations.


INFLUENCES

Tim Fatchen's keyboard music is influenced by the more contemplative instrumentals of Yanni and Enya, by the minimalist and folk-based themes of Mike Oldfield, and by mixed undercurrents--classical, traditional blues, and the far older Anglo-Celtic dance and folk song filtered through Cecil Sharpe and Percy Grainger.

The music is also inspired by a continuing love affair with the freedom and joy of water, wind and light, the movement of lake and sea, experienced under sail.

THE PLAYER

Tim Fatchen studied classical piano from a very early age, though his day job went in other directions--a lot of the time in the middle of deserts. For many years he was a church and at one stage a cathedral organist, as well as an accompanist for soloists and repetiteur for community music events. His current recordings mark his return to direct piano performance.

Tim has written numerous songs, an Anglican Mass setting, hymns, and a comic opera. Current projects range from satirical pop to modern settings of 19th Century romantic poets, and a music-drama on the 1870s eco-catastrophe and heartbreak of South Australia.

THE PLAYED

The acoustic Grand Piano was made by John Brinsmead & Sons, London, in late 1880 and exported to Australia, probably to capitalise on a promotional concert tour at about the same time. The piano is much larger than a baby grand but not quite as long in the strings as a concert grand.

In the mid-1960s, the piano was rescued from a barn in the famous vineyards of the Barossa Valley, South Australia. Other than hammer felts, the piano is entirely original. After years of faithful service since its first rescue, it is starting another slow odyssey of reconditioning.

The main electronic keyboards are a Medeli MC710 keyboard and a Medeli SP-1 stage piano. The Medelis have an edgy, chinese brilliance to their sound, a very individual quality, and a counterpoise to the roundness of the old instrument's voice.

There's also a Yamaha PSR-310 keyboard in there, possibly the last still in captivity!