The W.A M. Awards celebrate the year’s most outstanding independent artists from around the world in multiple genres and categories. "Best Song" and "Best Album" nominations were based on Artistry, Musicianship, Originality, Professionalism, Diversity, and Excellence. W.A.M. stands for "We Are the Music Makers.' Pauline Frechette's "Jewel Box" was the 2020 W.A.M. Award Winner for Best Song in the Instrumental music category.
When you think of the words "Jewel Box", what comes to mind? A precious box filled with the finest gems and jewels? Or, are you already familiar with the scientific term, and you think of a brilliant cluster of stars and the Southern Cross? Nicolas Louis de Lacaille discovered these stars in the year 1751 , and it was named the "Jewel Box" by John Herschel when he described its telescopic appearance as "...a superb piece of fancy jewelry." It is this cluster of jewel colored stars that inspired Pauline Frechette to write a piece to honor her friends and family who had passed away, but remained forever in her heart.
"Jewel Box" is an intimate piece that consists of strings and piano. The instrumental opens with a meloncholy sound that feels like it is longing for something: when you close your eyes, the emotion of past memories come to mind.
The piano moves steadily with a motif that is heard throughouot the song, while the strings respond and converse with the themes. The piano, however, does not assume an accompaniment role. Instead all the instruments dance together as each player has a significant melodic role to play, always evolving and engaging. The phrasing is exceptional as the musical lines feel "alive" as if each note has a purpose and path that is coming away from or leading to the next idea.
As the piece moves forward, the listener is taken on a journey that is transformational. Open spaces allow room for the ear, and the heart, to absorb the content and process the deep feelings that the composition evokes. The players are extraordinary in their complex expression and interpretation of the phrasing. There is a mystical, almost floating atmosphere, that is somehow calming and intense at the same time.
"Jewel Box" is a composition filled with treasures and gems for the ear. Remembering those we have loved and lost, the music evokes the emotions that are kept in jewel boxes inside the heart and flow through us, alive and moving, like the music of "Jewel Box"' - everlasting, timeless, and mysterious like the stars. To hear more moving and beautiful music from Pauline Frechette, please visit her website.
About Pauline Frechette
Pauline Frechette is a contemporary composer/performer. Her music is best definied as “Neo-classical” miniatures. DEF. “The use of modern techniques within the classical form composing music that reflects one’s own compositional voice.”
Her work has been performed by the Baltimore Symphony, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, New West Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony, National Symphony at the Kennedy Center and at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Pauline has sung on film scores and with many legendary artists including Paul McCartney, Beck, Cher, Willie Nelson, Neil Diamond, Muse etc. As a performer she is a a contemporary poet-musician who takes her audience on an emotional journey, moving effortlessly from her original piano compositions to romantic jazz and humorous theatrical songs. Pauline’s albums "Colors of My Heart” and "An Intimate Story” received rave reviews and debuted at #3 on Billboard’s Jazz, Classical and Classical Cross-over charts. Her music is currently played in over 150 countries to millions of listeners and has over 10 million hits collectively on Spotify, Soundcloud, Reverbnation, iTunes and Amazon. Pauline won the 2020 “Best Instrumental” W.A.M. Award for her song, “Jewel Box.”
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