Australian pianist, composer, and singer Fiona Joy Hawkins has long been recognized for her ability to create music that transcends genre and speaks directly to the soul. With her latest release, When Shadows Talk, she once again demonstrates why she is considered one of the most captivating voices in contemporary piano music. An ARIA-nominated artist with international acclaim, Fiona weaves together elements of neoclassical, new age, Celtic, and jazz into a seamless listening experience that is both intimate and expansive.
When Shadows Talk is more than just a musical work—it is a form of storytelling. Fiona describes the pieces as explorations of both inward and outward reflection, a look into the creative processes that drive her artistry. In many ways, the album feels like a behind-the-scenes journal, translating the quiet, unseen conversations an artist has with themselves into melodic form. It is music that asks the listener to pause, to look within, and to engage in their own dialogue with shadow and light.
Fiona’s classical training and inspirations from Chopin and Mendelssohn shine through in the elegance of her compositions. Yet her music is never confined to one tradition. Instead, it breathes with ethereal textures, delicate phrasing, and a cinematic quality that lifts it beyond the concert hall. Her voice as a composer is at once soothing and thought-provoking, capable of wrapping the listener in calm while also sparking deep self-examination.
This duality is what makes When Shadows Talk such a special release. On one hand, it is a balm—an album to accompany moments of stillness, reflection, or the need for inner peace. On the other, it challenges us to confront the unseen layers of ourselves, to acknowledge the shadows that shape our lives and, ultimately, our growth. Fiona’s music doesn’t shy away from complexity, but instead embraces it with grace and compassion.
Her career achievements add further weight to this release. Having performed at venues like Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House, the Grammy Museum, and the concert halls of China, Fiona brings a global perspective to her work while staying rooted in the natural beauty of rural Australia. She has also contributed to Grammy-winning projects, earned international awards, and continues to inspire with her dedication to both music and visual storytelling through her videos.
Critical voices have praised her work in glowing terms, and with good reason. John M. Crossett of Aural Musingsremarked, “Anyone who can write music that transcends genre and moves into the realm of self-examination is a person to follow and enjoy.” Similarly, Dave Wilson of AudioAficionado.org compared her to a modern Beethoven, calling her albums “smooth, like a good book you just can’t put down.” These reflections underscore the timeless quality of her artistry.
Fiona herself sums up her mission with humility: “My greatest hope is that my music makes a difference.” With When Shadows Talk, she does exactly that. It is an album that lingers long after the final note, reminding us of the quiet power music has to heal, to reveal, and to connect us to something greater than ourselves.
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