Still: Find yourself in blissful serenity with Steinway artist Ann Sweeten
(Global Heart) Ann Sweeten is known for her symbolic evocations of nature, exploring quiet life with a rare intensity that resonates around the world. Her latest album, “Still,” is another of Sweeten’s breathtaking renditions. Don’t miss this interview! Join Ann Sweeten as she takes us on a beautiful musical journey into a world of serenity.
Journey through the Seasons of the Soul with Ann Sweeten’s Album ‘Still’
“Let the music move you through the seasons of the soul. Each piece on ‘Still’ is a story, a season, a feeling. From the delicate promise of “Whispers of Spring” to the haunting beauty of “The River Bleeds the Sky,” Ann Sweeten invites you into a world of serenity, emotion, and transcendence.”
“As a title, Still is multi-dimensional in meaning. Sweeten implies that despite her health struggles, she is still here as a person and as an artist. The title may also refer to all that can happen when we embrace a still space in a cluttered world, listening to that which comes from the heart with no noise or distraction, or to hear and feel all the beauty of nature and her sounds. It is also the sharing of a loving space with a soulmate, where no words need be spoken.”
An Interview with Ann Sweeten about her new album: “Still” by Esther Haasnoot
Esther Haasnoot: Ann, you began with musical training at an early age. When did you know music would be your life’s path? Was it always your dream to be a musician? What is it about classical crossover and contemporary instrumental music that appeals to you above any other genre?
Ann Sweeten: I started playing the Hammond Organ when I was six, and then the piano at age 9. Once my Mother found David Sokoloff, Russian-born Concert Pianist, my training really took off. But I also was interested in Ballet, and Voice as the years progressed. I loved all the arts and embraced them. So my artistic background is multi-dimensional and in addition to my Concert and Recording Career, I had a professional career in Musical Theatre, fronted a Rock Band, Sang opera, Danced the classic ballets and appeared on Cruise ships performing a variety of material including, Folk, Pop, Bossa, New Age and Jazz.
I was in the midst of my Musical Theatre career when my third album, Reflections came out and was featured nationwide on Border’s Books and Music listening posts. At that point, fans began to write to me of the effect my music was having on their lives, and how it was helping them heal, find peace, solace and so forth. It wasn’t a conscious decision to leave Music Theatre, it’s just that the Music, which was coming from within, was far more rewarding. That’s when I realized that this was my true path, where I belonged. But life’s a journey, and I wouldn’t be who I am, or where I am without all the artistic experiences as well as life’s. And it’s really more that this extensive background in so many different areas has shaped/formed my compositional style. My classical training and exposure to all these genres has given birth, if you will, to a style that is called classical crossover or contemporary instrumental, but it’s really just “Me”!
Esther Haasnoot: Your newest album entitled ‘Still’ represents chapters of your artistic and personal life’s journey. How has your musical style and journey developed over the years? In what ways has this enriched you personally and/or as an artist?
Ann Sweeten: Every album I release is a chapter in my life and reflective of my living through that period of time. My reactions to what has happened and my reflections of all those moments. Consequently, any difficulties, anger, joy, sadness all shape my outlook at the time of the writing. My previous album Love Walks Through Rain, was an extremely painful journey and I used my writing to help get through it, to work through it. Still came from a much brighter place, fortunately, and I certainly hope it lasts. We never know what Life is going to throw at us and I have had MORE than my share, believe me!
Esther Haasnoot: Composing has always had an interesting relationship between honoring their roots and exploring the unknown. This album is produced alongside Will Ackerman and Tom Eaton of Imaginary Road Studios. How was this dream team formed? What did you find the most fun, surprising, or rewarding parts of working with them on this album?
Ann Sweeten: I have worked with Will for over 15 years and over the course of 10 out of my 17 albums. After the 2nd at Imaginary Road, Tom came on board so we all share a lot of years working together. I enjoy recording there since it’s such a peaceful place and things get done efficiently, joyfully, all in an upbeat way. Will co-produced the piano tracks with me; Tom co-produced the other instruments with me, mixed and mastered the album. But as Executiver Producer, I am the one who guides the project — from the compositions themselves to the instrumentation I feel would work with each piece — and consult with either Will or Tom; in this case this was the first time I worked solely with Tom, and it worked out quite well.
Esther Haasnoot: After giving birth to a piece of art and releasing it into the world, there can be a sense of emptiness. Can you relate to this, and how do you return to the state of creativity after experiencing it?
Ann Sweeten: I never feel a sense of emptiness after releasing an album, quite the opposite! I only hope that this “child” goes out into the world and contributes good things and is received in kind. I already have 7 pieces for the next album so I’m always in a creative state, whether it be composing, writing poetry, thinking about liner notes, titles, story ideas, photographic ideas for the cover, booklet, website — all of which my husband, Randy Yoder, a professional photographer, orchestrates.
Esther Haasnoot: Sound, song, and rhythm are all around us, from the voices of animals and rustling of the trees, to the waves of the ocean. Inspired by the whispers of the wind and the dance of leaves, your compositions flow with the organic rhythms of the natural world. People all over the world know you for nature-inspired music that captures the simple, peaceful moments in life. What are some of the most moving, healing, or inspiring experiences you’ve had in nature?
Ann Sweeten: Many of the inspiring and moving experiences I’ve had in nature have become compositions and this album is no exception. Take Whispers of Spring, Waiting for Fireflies (the sight of them always makes me feel like a little girl again), The River Bleeds the Sky – all were stunning moments and reflections of all the beauty that’s out there in the Natural World!
Esther Haasnoot: Artists often draw inspiration from other art forms. Various art forms can influence and enrich each other, leading to new and exciting forms of creative output. You wrote the poem “Still” as an emotional extension of the title track. Tell us something about that. Perhaps you would like to share this poem with us?
Ann Sweeten: “Still” can mean many things. Perhaps we’ll just let the poem speak for itself:
STILL
Still the echoes in my head,
Of Memories sweet and words long said.
Still the droplets of morning dew
As the sun lifts and spreads its hues.
Still the River’s vista, far and wide
As my heart flows full beside.
Still the wooded glen and meadow fair
With birdsong drifting through the air.
Still, my sleeping little ones
Snuffling soft, so halcyon.
Still my love will beckon me
To walk the path of life’s uncertainty,
For we are forged in love as one
And will not break nor be undone.
Still as I do carry on
With this life of some phenomenon;
Love will always hold my hand
Together we will make our stand
As time and life make their demands,
Forever onward across the sand.
A.S.
Esther Haasnoot: What is the one thing about music, healing, and/or nature you would love everyone to understand and experience?
Ann Sweeten: Music is in nature and nature is in my music and both have healing properties. One needs to truly listen, to truly hear the sounds of nature and its’ music, its’ beauty and embrace the gift being offered. I find the sight of a Humming Bird or a Monarch Butterfly full of healing as involuntarily a smile spreads over my face and I am enthralled, uplifted! It’s all there, it’s all waiting to be savored. So put down the cell phones and get out there and listen, in the Still!
* Photo Credit: Outdoor photos by Randall Yoder, RBY Photography, Salem, MA. B&W portrait of Ann is credited to: Lynn McCann, Boston MA*
About Ann Sweeten:
After nearly three decades of enamoring audiences on the Concert stage and on the Airwaves, Ann Sweeten’s signature style is recognized worldwide. Her style is decidedly unique, embracing not only the classical realm, but aspects of jazz, film scoring, new age and popular music. One of the most decorated pianists of the last 26 years with albums consistently ranking in the Top 5 ZMR Radio Charts, Sweeten is also one of the most played modern instrumentalists in North America. She is a Steinway Artist, a featured C.A.R.E. Artist with Healing HealthCare Systems. A Breast Cancer survivor twice over and currently battling leukemia, Ms. Sweeten is a passionate individual and artist, a staunch environmentalist, animal activist and vegetarian. Visit: Website, Instagram, and Facebook.
Source: Global Heart
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