| Home About Music Listen Projects Reviews Events Links Contact |
![]() |
‘... a pianist of formidable technique and high intelligence’ The Times |
Reviews Adam Swayne demonstrated immense skill allied to fiery enthusiasm for modern and new music. ... he displayed minute attention to details of attack, timbre and rhythmic nuance... we got the ideal blend of panache and subtlety. Music of substance was needed and duly supplied by Kenneth Leighton (1929-88) in his 20-minute Six Studies (Study-Variations) here given a very impressive performance by Adam Swayne who was thoroughly attuned to the music’s exploration, pulsation, dark musing and evolution. This dedicated and perceptive account – with something kept in reserve for a thrilling culmination – left no doubt as to Swayne’s musicianship and virtuosity and reminded what a really fine composer Leighton was. Swayne has a formidable technique and ample agility, but none of the pieces really repaid the effort of playing them. His ability to fix the music in his mind was all the remarkable since, with the exception of Leighton's taut studies, the notion of musical shape and creative discipline seemed to have been rejected by the composers altogether. Adam Swayne’s customary enthusiastic pianism and artistic brilliance shone through [as he] re-created the relentless rhythm and sound of cotton mill machinery with unremitting fervour and commitment. Adam Swayne proved himself a pianist of formidable technique and high intelligence. The atmosphere at this New Music Brighton event was lively and the audience was captivated not only by the sound of this truly contemporary piano music but also by the pianist's enthusiasm for it. Five distinctive modern compositions were all conducted by the articulate and highly expressive pianist, Adam Swayne, here displaying his athletic passion for – often unpredictable – music of the contemporary world. Play on Dr Swayne and play on New Music!
|
Adam is appointed Senior Lecturer in Music and Musical Theatre at the University of Chichester. ![]() |
| © 2010 www.adamswayne.com |