There’s something so whimsical, poetic and arty about Enya. I am particularly loving playing pieces from her “Watermark” compilation, on my grand piano. Favourites are the title track, “Watermark”, and “Exile” and “Evening Falls”. Of course, Enya’s lyrics are written by Roma Ryan, which I think we sometimes forget. It is a wonderful, creative relationship. I couldn’t have produced this CD without my wonderful pianist, Denise Steele, and her sensitive interpretation of my compositions. Many thanks, Denise. ABOUT THE CD “Red Paper Roses” “Red Paper Roses” is essentially a CD to relax to. It’s for times when you want to have a quiet moment, clear your mind, perhaps sip a cup of camomile tea, and drift into a reverie. My artistic background influences my composing. In some of my pieces it is as if I am trying to evoke a visual image with music. The title track, “Red Paper Roses”, alludes to photographs I took of one of my nieces with her arms full of red paper roses. Many of my compositions were inspired by the French, Impressionist painter, “Monet”. I’m fascinated by the way art can translate to music, the intangible connection between the visual and aural. I think my compositions are really musical ‘impressions’. My pianist, Denise Steele, is also my piano and singing teacher. When I am going to have a lesson with her, I say I’m having my piano, singing, song writing and composing lesson. Denise also plays cello and is teaching me to write for cello as well. She has really nurtured my creativity. She also has a very eclectic interest in the arts and is a close friend. THE TRACKS “Cherry Blossoms Falling” and “The Geisha” express my obsession with Geishas and Japanese art. I particularly love the paintings which depict the ‘floating world’ of the Edo period. “Elysia” is dedicated to one of my nieces whose name is derived from the word “Elysium”, which means “eternal bliss’. The piece itself is light and delicate because she is a little fairy-like creature in person. “Peony” is inspired by the hauntingly beautiful and tragic novel, “Peony in love”, by the Chinese writer Lisa See. “The Peony Awakes” evokes the blossoming of the Peony flower, which is the national flower of China. “Violet Rose” also has a slightly Asian sound, but it actually alludes to a fragrance I have with roses and violets. I love scent and find it highly emotive. “The Scent of Frangipani Blossoms in the Night Air” was written because one evening when I was feeling sad and numb, I went outside into the cool air and smelt the Frangipani blossoms. I felt sensual and happy again. The composition, “Monet”, begins with an illustration of the dark times of financial hardship and critical censure in Monet’s life. It goes on to reflect the period of happiness and success at Giverny. It ends with a dark note on Monet’s failing eyesight and then a joyous finale, as Monet overcomes his impairment and paints regardless. All the remaining pieces were inspired by Monet, essentially his garden at Giverny and water lily paintings. Monet was fascinated by changing light conditions and the mutable effect this had on the subject he was painting. He was obsessed with capturing the evanescent ‘impressions’, and painted one subject, such as water lilies, over and over again as the light changed, frustrated that he could not paint faster.