About
From Birmingham to Cornwall
Graduating from Birmingham Conservatoire set me on a path of diverse musical experiences. As a professional violinist, I’ve collaborated with symphony and chamber orchestras and performed sessions for rock and folk bands. My journey has taken me to classical recordings, radio, and television, working alongside legends like Simon Rattle, Nigel Kennedy, Peter Donohoe, Yehudi Menuhin, Sir Charles Groves, Esa Pekka Salonen, Gordon Giltrap, Chris de Burgh, Martin Carthy, and Dave Swarbrick.
My passion for composing began early, with improvisations on the violin and piano, blending classical and gypsy music into my unique style. This drive led me to create and record four albums and a DVD. My music videos have featured on Sky, Classic FMTV, and BBC 1, and my compositions have been played on BBC Radio 2, 3, and 4.
Cornwall and the Landscape
Moving to Cornwall in 2004 marked a new chapter where I focused deeply on composing. Since then, I’ve released three albums, a DVD, and an EP.
I am currently working on my fourth and Fifth solo albums. These are as yet untitled but the fourth one is almost completed.
“I have my own recording studio, where I primarily record on piano and violin. I am available for sessions worldwide. I also have access to many other musicians if needed and do extensive string arranging as well.
As a composer, I can swiftly adapt arrangements and compositions to suit the required scene.”
Influences
Though classically trained, I’ve always been a musical rebel. As a child, I would listen to punk and rock alongside violin concertos, often improvising and altering virtuoso showpieces to create my own musical soundscapes.
“Since moving to Cornwall in 2004, the landscape near my home has been a relentless source of inspiration for my work as a composer – locations such as the old mine workings at Botallack which appear in my video ‘Elly’s Theme’, through to the unspoiled cove at Porthgwarra, as featured in the video ‘Nancy’s Garden’. My music has been broadcast on the BBC, Classic FM and Sky TV.
I love the solitary nature of being in the landscape, feeling the seasons change, and listening to nothing but the sound of the wind and waves, accompanied by the call of the gull. It is here that my creative spirit is ignited. Just as one of my favourite cakes needs to be left alone to rise and bake in the oven, music and ideas need time to ferment in my mind, and when they are ready, they will pop naturally into my thoughts.”
Sue Aston is also the Leader at Classical Strings
String Quartet, Trio, Duo And Solo Violinist For Weddings And Events in Cornwall and Devon