Sarah Swersey's flute sings like a nightingale in her first CD release, produced with 2002 Grammy nominee David Darling. Paying tribute to the sounds of Swersey's childhood, Nightingale features original compositions ("Nina's Peace," "Mozaique" and "Magical Fish") and improvised lullabies such as "All the Pretty Horses," "Little Blue," "Alef Bais" (a Yiddish children's song), "Luna Llena," "A La Nana y La Buba" (a Sephardic lullaby), "Arrorro" (a song from Spain) and an American tradition, "Brahms' Lullaby."

A meticulous, accomplished solo flutist who has been playing since a child of 9 years, native New Yorker Swersey learned her craft through attendance at the Julliard School, Kinhaven Music School, Oberlin Conservatory and Yale University School of Music. She has toured America and Europe with the American Soviet Youth Orchestra and Orquesta Sinfonica de Tenerife of the Canary Islands.

Swersey calls her creation "an inward journey around the world on a moonlit night." A wonderful journey this proves to be! However, while her magical improvisations and original pieces prove enchantingly beautiful and poignant, the notes ring sometimes too melancholy to be considered music for children. To my ear, the sounds of Swersey prove to be soothing, relaxing, pensive melodies for adults -- whether used for a calming effect or for accompaniment for yoga (these songs have been used in Kripalu Center for Yoga, where Swersey is certified as a teacher).

Nightingale takes flight in the heart and mind of the listener -- a wonderful discovery!

- Rambles
written by Lynne Remick
published 4 October 2003

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