Sue Aston Cornish Composer |

Profile and Biography

Sue Aston's love and passion for Cornwall and the natural landscape is well known.
However, this multi talented composer and professional violinist has appeared on classical, folk and contemporary recordings on radio and television, both nationally and internationally.

Sue Aston has worked with such eminent musicians as Simon Rattle, Nigel Kennedy, Peter Donohoe, Yehudi Menuhin, Sir Charles Groves, Esa Pekka Salonen, Gordon Giltrap and Chris De Burgh.

This classically trained violinist has released her own successful albums bridging the gap between Celtic folk and lovers of classical violin playing.

Her forays into folk have seen her work with Australian guitarist Pete Hawkes and support folk legends Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbrick.

Her classical work includes performances with The D’oyly Carte Opera Company, The Cotswold Sinfonia and Orchestra Da Camera – with whom she took part in a documentary for Channel 4 about the composer Rodriguez, entitled ‘Shadows and Light’. With Peter Donohoe's Corinthian Orchestra, Sue's work included a televised concert which formed part of the Jersey Music Festival.

Sue Aston was leader of the 'New String Orchestra' for a concert at the Imperial College , London , with a performance of ‘Variations on a theme by Thomas Tallis’, by Vaughan Williams. She was also a violin soloist with the Birmingham Conservatoire Chamber Orchestra at Birmingham Cathedral, for a performance of Vivaldi’s concerto for four violins, with CBSO leader Peter Thomas, and Jackie Ross, Head of Strings.

Sue Aston on the Heaven and Earth Show BBC1

The BBC1 ‘Heaven and Earth Show’ interviewed Sue about her composition work on one of their episodes about the Cornish landscape.

Sue’s solo videos have been shown on Classic FM TV and are currently being broadcast daily on the Sky classical music channel ‘OMusic’. ‘The Home Coming’ is one of Sue’s most popular pieces, and has been viewed over 930,000 times on You Tube.

Sue Aston has hosted violin master classes in Cornwall, which have been attended by violin students from around the world. Sue has released two solo CDs and a DVD, which have been described as 'Celtic music for the classically appreciative’ by Cornish World editor Nigel Pengelly. Sue Aston CDs and DVDs are available from Amazon.co.uk.

Sue Aston also runs the Sue Aston Ensemble (Dubbed Cornwall's version of the Kronos Quartet). The ensemble specialises in premiering new works by Cornish composers.

Recent Feedback

Thank you for bringing such pleasure and relaxation into my life. Edna

lovely music, nice people to deal with. G Byron

Music is fabulous....love the background and also loved hearing about how Sue feels about her music. I am thoroughly enjoying the music...thank you too for the photo! Would love to get your other DVDs. Thank you!! A good way to combine music and the natural setting of Cornwall. All the best and thank you!!! Lorna

Not only is Sue Aston's music sublime and quite simply the best, but the service when ordering a CD is superb. I had it within a couple of days and wit a lovely information pack and photographs as well. Absolutely first class ! Mike

Excellent service and fantastic music. If you like Celtic music, Sue Aston's music is an absolute must have. Sharon

Highly recommended. The DVD was well packaged and came with a lovely signed photo. Sue Aston's hauntingly beautiful music captures perfectly the spirit and atmosphere of West Cornwall. A very special place and a very special musician. Alan

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