Distinguished Australian composer and pianist Grant Foster came to prominence in Europe and the UK as a composer of poetic piano works and music for theatre, with artists such as Mary Martin and Sir Robert Helpmann commissioning Grant to write works for Broadway and incidental music for a pantomime.

‘When Love Speaks’ illustrates Foster’s gift for melody, with world-premiere recordings of eleven significant piano works composed and performed by the composer.

Says Barry Tuckwell: “Foster’s romantic spirit and gift for melody rings out in music which engages, entertains and communicates with his audience.”

Foster’s music represents the great romantic keyboard tradition at its most emotionally charged, spanning a wide range expressing tenderness, love, frustration and anger – from the sparkling and affectionate miniatures Six Preludes, to his Ballade, with its inspirational narrative. ‘When Love Speaks’ contains music of tenderness, love, frustration and anger. Foster’s music-making is inspired and shaped by his emotions. ‘When Love Speaks’ was recorded in Melbourne’s Iwaki Auditorium, in September 2015 on a Steinway Model D.

It is refreshing to hear new music in an idiom that is familiar yet with a musical language that is the composer’s own created with a pure intent. This is what the music of Grant Foster offers - there is nothing ironic in Foster’s music – he is a romantic composer living in a post-modern age. Grant Foster’s compositions on ‘When Love Speaks’ are sincere, heartfelt creations, not confectionary masquerading as music.

“This is amazing! Where has Grant Foster been all these years? ... I really haven’t heard anything as striking as this for a long while... simply blew me away!” – Andrew Lamb, Gramophone

“I love his music. Grant Foster has a rare ability to compose melodic and imaginative works demonstrating a high level of sophistication.” – Richard Bonynge