SUSAN CLARK
Born 25 October 1974, Susan started her formal music training in 1983. She attended The Trinity College of Music Junior Department and studied piano with both Rose Eley and Jane Mansergh. While there, Susan took part in many major concerts.
Ten years later, Susan studied privately with Nigel Clayton, while giving many recitals at Cambridge University and London Churches.
Now Susan lives in North London and spends most of her time piano teaching. Though she expects to continue, it will be with a blend of more solo and ensemble performing. For the latter, she has a special interest in chamber music.
Susan's entry to The Williams-Morgan Piano Competition (WMPC) was July 1998 and the following 5 December, through her performance, achieved the WMPC
SUSAN CLARK at Music Festivals
Between 1996 and 1998 Susan suitably performed the works of varied composers at many Music Festivals and marks were high when relevant. Frequently, Susan's award was First and she took part in the concert for prizewinners when appropriate.
In May 1997, the Adjudicator Ruth Gerald said of Susan 'Stylish,
vital playing - confident, technically and musically. It was a pleasure
to listen to. It is confident playing and you always know what you want to say. Even the softest sound always comes across with meaning."
Later, in November 1997, the Adjudicator Timothy Barratt said of Susan "It was technically assured and I thought it was also musically persuasive. A lot of different sonorities and texture - winner for some stunning playing - enjoyable, committed playing of a fine order."
Then, in May 1998, Vanessa Latarache said about Susan 'As ever you make us listen to you. The Ravel was quite beautifully crafted. Lovely colours and a real feeling for the French sound world and you listen so well. You are an intelligent and thoughtful player."
It was all that technique and experience Susan brought to Wistful Symphony.
Williams-Morgan
British composer born in Wales 23 April 1937, though retaining casual interest in composition and piano, he abandoned his formal music training for commerce, family and travel. Eventually, the call of music was too strong and composing started prolifically in 1992. Through the Williams-Morgan Piano Competition, he combines introducing music, with opportunity for talented pianists. He is dedicated to composing new, set music for the Competition and Wistful Symphony was the first one. Initially, he plays and records all compositions, and later, enjoys hearing different interpretations of that music during the competitions. His recording of Wistful Symphony, with five other compositions is available from RWM Music: CAT NO. 01 61012-(4607-2)
Wistful Symphony OPUS 801003WS
This 1992 composition is in 4 Movements.
1st Movement - Looking Back
This movement starts with a command for the listener's attention. Then it introduces the theme that continues through some development. Later, a small group of notes repeat while ascending, to appear again in other movements.
2nd Movement - Memories
The initial slow broad flowing style at the start will recall something of the earlier movement. After, the style changes in the middle followed by that small group of notes that repeat while ascending.
3rd Movement-Tomorrow
Here, after commanding the listener's attention, the music moves again towards that small group of notes that repeat. Though latter part may remind the listener of the start of the previous movement.
4th Movement - Each Moment is Now
The middle of this final movement commands the listener's attention to identify a particular moment by using a loud chord. Later, by returning to the original theme, the music suggests 'The more things' change, the more they stay the same.
Albéniz
Spanish Composer, 29 May 1860 to 1909, and pianist, known for his piano compositions, frequently influenced by the styles of Spanish folk music. At the age of four he appeared as a Piano Prodigy. He studied in Leipzig and Brussels, later teaching in Barcelona and Madrid, then he moved to Paris. There, he came under the influence of French composers and became an invalid for several years before he died.
Tango
Arrangement:
Here, this composition by Albéniz has an arrangement by Godowsky, 13 February 1870 to 1938. A virtuoso pianist and composer born in Lithuania, becoming US citizen in 1891, who studied in Berlin and taught in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Vienna. As a performer he had an advanced technique and produced more than 400 original compositions and transcriptions of other works. They say his compositions influenced Ravel and Prokofiev.
Delibes
French Composer 21 February 1836 to 1891. His music is light and graceful yet through his pioneering Symphonic work for ballet, influenced others. He studied music in Paris and became an accompanist in the Theatre and Opera. Also, working as a church organist, he wrote church music. Works include, light opera, followed by large scale ballets (Coppélia 1870), and later, serious operas.
Waltz from Coppélia OPUS 165/2
Arrangement:
Here, this composition by Delibes has an arrangement by Dohnányi, 27 July 1877 to 1960, composer, pianist and conductor, born in that part of Hungary, which is now Czechoslovakia. He travelled as a pianist and in his day regarded as one of the best performers. His music had a strong Brahms influence and included a ballet, operas and symphonies. He taught in Berlin, Argentina and the U S A.
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