OUT TODAY: Pianist Lucas Debargue Releases Gershwin Variations – New Album on Sony Classical
OUT TODAY: Pianist Lucas Debargue Releases Gershwin Variations – New Album on Sony Classical
Pianist Lucas Debargue Releases New Album on Sony Classical Gershwin Variations
Out Today - Listen Here
Worldwide Album Release Date: Out Today
In Concert at Ladies Morning Musical Club in Montreal on October 25, 2026
In Concert at Lincoln Center in New York City on October 29, 2026
Lucas Debargue presents Gershwin Variations, an ambitious tribute to George Gershwin in two parts: One recorded with the Orchestre de Paris conducted by Elim Chan, the other devoted to the pianist's original creations inspired by Gershwin's songs.
Internationally acclaimed pianist Lucas Debargue's Gershwin Variations stand as an ambitious and unprecedented project, born from the desire to explore a radically different universe after recording Scarlatti sonatas and the complete solo piano works of Fauré. This double album, which is out today on Sony Classical – listen here, is an ode to George Gershwin, an unclassifiable composer standing at the crossroads of classical music and jazz, whose singularity inspired Lucas to create a work equally impossible to categorize.
The album is divided into two parts, both equally grandiose and virtuosic… yet each with its own distinct identity.
The first part, recorded at the Philharmonie de Paris on Stephen Paulello’s unique SP/287 piano, features some of Gershwin’s most iconic works, including the Concerto in F with the Orchestre de Paris conducted by Elim Chan, the Three Preludes for Piano, and a highly personal version of Rhapsody in Blue, enriched with the pianist’s own cadenzas.
The second part, recorded at the Paulello Studio, is entirely devoted to twelve virtuosic études composed by Lucas from Gershwin’s most popular songs, spanning all chromatic keys. This cycle represents the most ambitious creation of his career as a pianist to date, affirming a deep commitment to freedom and invention, while placing itself in the tradition of the great composers who wrote their own études.
The Gershwin Variations is neither a classical album nor a jazz album, but a hybrid work reflecting the anticonformist spirit and the American dream embodied by Gershwin. Lucas offers a bold and poetic reinterpretation in which counterpoint, shifting harmonies, and unconventional rhythms reveal the richness of Gershwin’s melodies. He invites listeners to rediscover a repertoire where popularity is never synonymous with triviality, and where music becomes a space for freedom, daring, and vitality.
Lucas Debargue says: “I wanted to create an album that captures the spirit of constant transformation that breathes life into music in general—and into Gershwin’s music in particular. It features moments of spontaneous improvisation, original compositions, and interpretive choices that leave no trace in the original scores. That is why I decided to title it Gershwin Variations.”
TRACKLIST
CD 1
Rhapsody in Blue, 3 Preludes, Concerto in F
Lucas Debargue – piano
Orchestre de Paris, Orchestra
Elim Chan – conductor
George Gershwin (1898-1937)
1. Prelude I - Allegro ben ritmato e deciso
2. Piano Concerto in F - I. Allegro
3. Piano Concerto in F - II. Adagio – Andante con moto
4. Piano Concerto in F - III. Allegro agitato
5. Prelude II - Allegro ben ritmato e deciso
6. Rhapsody in blue - Molto moderato (Cadenzas: Lucas Debargue)
7. Rhapsody in blue - Meno mosso e poco scherzando (Cadenzas: Lucas Debargue)
8. Rhapsody in blue - Andantino moderato (Cadenzas: Lucas Debargue)
9. Rhapsody in blue -- Agitato e misterioso (Cadenzas: Lucas Debargue)
10. Prelude III - Allegro ben ritmato e deciso
[Total Time: 55:02]
CD 2
12 Virtuoso Etudes on Gershwin Songs
Lucas Debargue, piano
Lucas Debargue
1. Embraceable You - Rumba, in E
2. Fascinating Rhythm - Valse, in A
3. Someone To Watch Over Me, in D - Pavane
4. Someone To Watch Over Me, in D - Gaillarde
5. It Ain’t Necessarily So, in G - Fantaisie
6. It Ain’t Necessarily So, in G - Chaconne
7. It Ain’t Necessarily So, in G - Fugue
8. Liza - Gavotte § Double, in C
9. But Not For Me, in F – Prelude
10. But Not For Me, in F – Perpetuum Mobile ****
11. I Want To Stay Here (I love you Porgy) Adagio Dekadent, in B-flat
12. The Man I Love - Mirage, in E-flat
13. They Can’t Take That Away From Me - Romance, in A-flat
14. I Got Rhythm (I Really Got Rhythm !) - Boom Bap, in D-flat - Part I
15. I Got Rhythm (I Really Got Rhythm !) - Boom Bap, in D-flat - Part II
16. I Got Rhythm (I Really Got Rhythm !) - Boom Bap, in D-flat - Part III
17. Lady Be Good - Berceuse, in F-sharp
Summertime - 20 Concert Variations & Finale, on a Theme of George Gershwin, in B
18. Summertime - Introduction
19. Summertime - Thème
20. Summertime - Variation 1: Tempestoso
21. Summertime - Variation 2: Tango
22. Summertime - Variation 3: Scherzino
23. Summertime - Variation 4: Polonaise
24. Summertime - Variation 5: Féroce
25. Summertime - Variation 6: Scintillante
26. Summertime - Variation 7: Nocturne
27. Summertime - Variation 8: Marcia Funèbre
28. Summertime - Variation 9: Sicilienne
29. Summertime - Variation 10: Intermezzo
30. Summertime - Variation 11: Reggae
31. Summertime - Variation 12: Con Fuoco
32. Summertime - Variation 13: Caccia
33. Summertime - Variation 14: Choral
34. Summertime - Variation 15: Toccatina
35. Summertime - Variation 16: Bossa Nova
36. Summertime - Variation 17: Largo Recitativo
37. Summertime - Variation 18: Teneramente
38. Summertime - Variation 19: Fugue
39. Summertime - Variation 20: Tarentelle
40. Summertime – Finale: Alla Marcia
[Total Time: 55:29]
ABOUT LUCAS DEBARGUE
OUT TODAY: Cellist Sol Gabetta Releases New Album on Sony Classical – Saint-Saëns & Lalo: Cello Concertos with Les Siècles
OUT TODAY: Cellist Sol Gabetta Releases New Album on Sony Classical – Saint-Saëns & Lalo: Cello Concertos with Les Siècles
Sol Gabetta Releases New Album on Sony Classical Saint-Saëns & Lalo: Cello Concertos with Les Siècles
Out Today - Listen Here
II. Intermezzo. Andantino con moto – Allegro presto
from Cello Concerto in D Minor by Édouard Lalo
Worldwide Release Date: Out Now
Cellist Sol Gabetta’s new album Saint-Saëns & Lalo: Cello Concertos is out today on Sony Classical - listen here. Recorded with the French orchestra Les Siècles, performing on period instruments, the cellist presents Camille Saint-Saëns’ two Cello Concertos alongside Édouard Lalo’s Cello Concerto in D minor—three cornerstone works of the Romantic cello repertoire.
Bringing together historically informed orchestral sound with her own distinctive voice, Sol Gabetta explores the contrasting musical worlds of these concertos. Saint-Saëns’ First Concerto and Lalo’s concerto, composed within a span of just a few years, both place a strong emphasis on the orchestra, creating a dynamic dialogue between soloist and ensemble. By contrast, Saint-Saëns’ Second Concerto—written three decades later—emerges as a highly virtuosic and structurally expansive work that demands exceptional technical and expressive range from the soloist.
Known for her expressive intensity and clarity of interpretation, Sol Gabetta shapes each of these works with a strong sense of narrative and colour, highlighting their lyrical qualities while bringing out their distinctive characters. The collaboration with Les Siècles adds a further dimension to the recording, offering a sound palette that reflects the stylistic context of the late 19th century while remaining vivid and immediate.
Saint-Saëns & Lalo: Cello Concertos by Sol Gabetta with Les Siècles will be available from September 18, 2026 on CD, as well as for download and streaming in Stereo and in Dolby Atmos.
Sol Gabetta is one of the leading cellists of her generation, internationally acclaimed for her expressive playing and wide-ranging repertoire. She performs regularly with major orchestras and conductors worldwide and is known for her close engagement with both core repertoire and lesser-known works. She appears with leading orchestras such as the Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic, and London Symphony Orchestra, and is a frequent guest at major international venues and festivals including the Lucerne Festival and New York’s Lincoln Center. Following her recent return to the United States, she made her debut with the New York Philharmonic and appeared with The Cleveland Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, while her international touring activity has also taken her to Asia, including appearances at the BBC Proms Japan. Sol Gabetta performs on a rare Matteo Goffriller cello from 1730.
Repertoire:
Camille Saint-Saëns:
Cello Concerto No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 33
I. Allegro non troppo
II. Allegretto con moto
III. Molto allegro
Cello Concerto No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 119
I. Allegro moderato e maestoso – Andante sostenuto
II. Allegro non troppo – Cadenza – Molto allegro
Édouard Lalo:
Cello Concerto in D Minor
I. Prélude. Lento – Allegro maestoso
II. Intermezzo. Andantino con moto – Allegro presto
III. Introduction. Andante – Allegro vivace
Hans Zimmer Announces North American Return with Hans Zimmer Live - The Next Level – Tour Beginning in February 2027
Hans Zimmer Announces North American Return with Hans Zimmer Live - The Next Level – Tour Beginning in February 2027
Photo credit: Frank Embacher
Hans Zimmer Announces North American Return
with Hans Zimmer Live - The Next Level in February 2027
The Oscar® and GRAMMY® Award-Winning Composer Returns to the U.S. and Canada with an All-New Electrifying Production
Where Music, Tech, and Imagination Collide
Presale Tickets Available September 23-24; General On Sale September 25
Sign Up For Presale at HansZimmerLive.com
LOS ANGELES - SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 - Multiple Academy Award® and GRAMMY® Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer, together with Semmel Concerts and RCI Global, today announced the North American leg of Hans Zimmer Live - The Next Level, his groundbreaking new live production featuring Zimmer himself on stage alongside his 19-piece band. Following its record-breaking success in Europe, where it ranked among the Top 10 tours worldwide in the first half of 2026, Hans Zimmer Live - The Next Level will arrive in the U.S. and Canada beginning February 17, 2027, in Hartford, Connecticut, as part of its ongoing world tour.
The Hans Zimmer Live - The Next Level artist presale begins Thursday, September 24 at 10am. local time. To receive the artist presale password, sign up at HansZimmerLive.com. The general on sale begins Friday, September 25 at 10am local time.
American Express is providing eligible Card Members access to Amex Presale Tickets®, available for purchase HERE beginning Wednesday, September 23 at 10am local time, through Thursday, September 24 at 10pm. local time, before the general public on sale, while supplies last. Terms apply. This is one of the many entertainment benefits American Express Card Members can access across select arts, theater, sports and music events through Amex Experiences™.
A bold evolution of Zimmer's celebrated live concerts, The Next Level combines powerful electronic soundscapes, spectacular lighting design and an entirely new stage production to create a powerful audiovisual spectacle on an unprecedented scale. Fueled by Zimmer's constant desire to push creative boundaries and explore new sonic territory, the show takes audiences on a journey beyond the traditional concert experience. Joining Zimmer on stage is a 19-piece ensemble featuring some of the world's most accomplished musicians and performers.
Watch the official trailer here.
"I want fans to feel like they're at a rave party or riding a roller coaster. For me, every show is a new voyage of discovery," says Zimmer. "The greatest challenge is the status quo - you have to do everything in your power to leave it behind and find and create something new."
For decades, Zimmer's unmistakable melodies and groundbreaking compositions have captivated audiences across generations and around the world. His scores have helped define some of the most iconic films in modern cinema, including The Dark Knight trilogy, Inception, Interstellar, Gladiator, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Lion King, Dune: Part One, Dune: Part Two, No Time to Die, Dunkirk, Man of Steel, The Last Samurai, Wonder Woman, Kung Fu Panda, 12 Years a Slave and Top Gun: Maverick.
Having already played to audiences in some of the world's largest arenas across 17 countries, Hans Zimmer Live - The Next Level has quickly established itself as one of the most ambitious live productions of Zimmer's career. Following its European runs in 2025 and 2026, the world tour will make its highly anticipated North American debut in February 2027, with dates across the U.S. and Canada continuing through April 2027, concluding in Portland, Oregon.
The 2027 tour schedule includes:
February 17 Hartford, CT PeoplesBank Arena
February 19 Belmont Park, NY UBS Arena
February 21 Newark, NJ Prudential Center
February 23 Philadelphia, PA Xfinity Mobile Arena
February 24 Boston, MA TD Garden
February 26 Ottawa, ON Canadian Tire Centre
February 28 Quebec City, QC Videotron Centre
March 2 Hamilton, ON TD Coliseum
March 3 Detroit, MI Little Caesars Arena
March 5 Chicago, IL United Center
March 7 Cincinnati, OH Heritage Bank Center
March 9 Charlotte, NC Spectrum Center
March 11 Orlando, FL Kia Center
March 13 Miami, FL Kaseya Center
March 14 Tampa, FL Benchmark International Arena
March 16 Atlanta, GA State Farm Arena
March 17 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena
March 19 Kansas City, MO T-Mobile Center
March 21 Oklahoma City, OK Paycom Center
March 22 Fort Worth, TX Dickies Arena
March 25 Denver, CO Ball Arena
March 27 Salt Lake City, UT Delta Center
March 30 Phoenix, AZ Mortgage Matchup Center
April 1 Los Angeles, CA Crypto.com Arena
April 2 Anaheim, CA Honda Center
April 4 San Francisco, CA Chase Center
April 5 Sacramento, CA Golden 1 Center
April 8 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena
April 9 Seattle, WA Climate Pledge Arena
April 11 Portland, OR Moda Center
For more information and tickets, please visit HansZimmerLive.com.
Hans Zimmer Live On Social Media:
Instagram – Facebook
Hans Zimmer On Social Media:
Instagram – Facebook – Spotify – TikTok – YouTube
About Hans Zimmer
Hans Zimmer has scored more than 500 projects across all mediums, which combined grossed over $30 billion at the worldwide box office. He has been honored with two Academy Awards®, three Golden Globes®, five Grammys®, an American Music Award, seven Emmy® nominations and a Tony® nomination. Zimmer’s career highlights include Dune: Part One and Two, Interstellar, co-scoring Blade Runner 2049, Gladiator, The Dark Knight trilogy, Inception and 12 Years a Slave. Upcoming, Zimmer will score the third part in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune franchise, releasing December 18.
Beyond his award-winning compositions, Zimmer is a remarkably successful touring artist. He recently concluded his first North American and European “Hans Zimmer Live – The Next Level” tours and will bring the show to Asia and Australia this fall.
About Semmel Concerts
Semmel Concerts Entertainment GmbH is one of the leading live-event promoters in Europe and, for years, has ranked among POLLSTAR's Top 10 promoters worldwide. Together with CTS Eventim AG, Europe's biggest ticket service provider, the company has taken a leading national and international position under the EVENTIM LIVE entertainment network umbrella.
The Semmel Concerts network has roughly 150 employees at eight offices throughout Germany. The company also holds shares in Promoters Group Munich and Arena Berlin Betriebs GmbH and has been the sole shareholder of Show Factory Entertainment GmbH in Vienna since 2020.
In addition to the Semmel Concerts division, the company structure also includes Semmel Exhibitions and Semmel Artists & Events. Dieter Semmelmann is the company's CEO. With a range of national and international themes and a variety of in-house generated productions, the company organizes more than 1,500 shows with over 5 million visitors each year. Semmel Concerts Entertainment GmbH has earned several Live Entertainment Awards (LEA), including "Promoter of the Year."
About RCI
RCI Global, founded by Steven Kofsky and Hans Zimmer and based in Santa Monica, focuses on live entertainment and special projects. RCI Global is the producer of previous Hans Zimmer Live shows.
About AEG Presents
Combining the power of the live event with a focus on true artist development, AEG Presents is a world leader in the music and entertainment industries. Operating across five continents, the company has an unparalleled commitment to artistry, creativity, and community. Its tentpole festivals and multi-day music events — which include the iconic Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival and the legendary New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival alongside British Summer Time at Hyde Park, Stagecoach, Electric Forest, Rock En Seine and All Points East — continue to set the bar for the live music experience. AEG Presents promotes global tours for artists such as ATEEZ, Justin Bieber, Zach Bryan, Sabrina Carpenter, Kenny Chesney, Luke Combs, Celine Dion, ENHYPEN, Elton John, Carin León, Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, and Tyler, The Creator, in addition to — through its network of clubs, theatres, arenas, stadiums and renowned partner brands such as The Bowery Presents, Cárdenas Marketing Network, Concerts West, Frontier Touring, Goldenvoice, Marshall Arts, MCT Agentur, Messina Touring Group, Outback Presents, PromoWest Productions, and Zero Mile Presents — creating and developing an unmatched infrastructure for artist development and audience reach. More information can be found at www.aegpresents.com.
Oct. 9: Classical Soul Pianist Alexis Ffrench Releases New Album 24 on Sony Masterworks – New Single Before the World Sings Out Now
Oct. 9: Classical Soul Pianist Alexis Ffrench Releases New Album 24 on Sony Masterworks – New Single Before the World Sings Out Now
Pioneering Composer and Pianist
Alexis Ffrench
New Single: Before the World Sings
Out Now - Listen Here
Taken From Upcoming Album, 24
Worldwide Album Release Date: October 9, 2026
Pre-Save Here
New York, NY – Pioneering pianist, composer and chart-topping Classical Soul artist Alexis Ffrench has shared new single, Before the World Sings, out now from his forthcoming album 24 - listen here. The album is now scheduled for release on October 9, 2026 and available for pre-save here. Formed of 24 meticulously crafted piano pieces and intended as a musical companion to the clockwork regularity of everyday life, 24 unveils as an intimate and immersive snapshot of a singular day.
Gently guiding listeners from dawn to dusk – through the quiet of early morning into the busy heart of day and on to the evening’s golden hour – 24 is woven from daydreams, memories of human connection and the desire for authenticity amongst an ever evolving and increasingly simulated digital age.
Made at legendary Provençal studio Miraval, owned by Brad Pitt and Damien Quintard, Ffrench recorded 24 during ten-days of near-total immersion on an array vintage of grand pianos, upright pianos and organs. Adding delicate ripples of percussion to the record’s kaleidoscopic sound, 24 also enlists a string ensemble featuring harp and upright bass.
Inspired in part by the many messages Ffrench has received from listeners throughout his career, 24 finds Ffrench reflecting on what his music means to those who find solace in it and the cherished moments it has served to soundtrack. He explains: “I wanted this album to reflect the everyday miracles in people’s lives.”
Throughout his career, Ffrench has asked one question above all others: “what do my listeners need from me?” Now, with 24, the answer is both simple and profound: music to live by.
2026 also marks the 20th anniversary of Ffrench’s seminal debut album Piano Diaries. With each piece evoking the pull of a series of intimate and reflective moments, the record fuses cinematic simplicity with an emotionally direct and highly accessible composition that welcomes all listeners to step directly into Ffrench’s intimate and atmospheric world.
One of the world’s most exciting artists, Alexis Ffrench has played a pivotal role in bringing instrumental music to an ever-increasing audience. His accolades speak for themselves, with well over 1 billion streams across his catalogue, multiple No.1 albums and Gold-selling status in the USA for his single “Bluebird.”
Whether he’s performing at the King’s Coronation Concert to an audience of over 18 million, scooping an ARIA Award for his Apple Music show Classical Connections, hosting brand-new Classic FM series “Music to Live By”, performing at major festivals and selling out venues worldwide, hosting masterclasses with schools & charitable organizations or putting his own spin on contemporary pop hits for his enthusiastic social media audience, Alexis is driven by the desire to make music accessible to all.
Refusing to be penned in by genre, time period or the expectations of the kind of musician he should be, and rather than leaning into the traditional understanding of the ‘classical’ genre, Alexis instead leans outward – with his expansive perspective drawing on a multifarious mosaic of influences that takes his listeners by the hand and leads them on a journey through a world of possibility.
With the new album acting as a timelessly enchanting musical journey through the in numerous possibilities held inside one singular day, 24 is the first studio album from Alexis Ffrench since 2024’s Classical Soul Vol. 1 – welcoming in a contemplative and captivating new dawn for the forerunner of contemporary classical music.
Alexis Ffrench - New Album 24 out October 2, 2026
Listen to Nine on Blue and Pre-Save 24 here
About Alexis Ffrench
Alexis Ffrench is an artist with a special ability to create music for the soul. A pioneering superstar and trailblazer of ‘Classical Soul’, Alexis’ sound refuses to be penned in by genre, time period, or the expectations of the kind of musician he should be. Rather than leaning into the narrow, traditional understandings of ‘classical’, Alexis instead leans outward, expansive in his perspective, drawing on a multifarious mosaic of influences that takes the listener by the hand and leads them on a journey through a world of possibility.
Alexis’ accolades speak for themselves, as he has surpassed a staggering 1 billion streams across his catalogue, his record Evolution and his single ‘Bluebird’ achieved RIAA Gold status in the US.
A passionate advocate for music education, Alexis is the first-ever Artistic Director of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) in its 133-year history. He is also Trustee and Governing Body Member and Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music, London, and Honorary Fellow of Homerton College, Cambridge. Alexis is an Ambassador for Restore The Music, who work with state schools to provide funding to buy musical instruments and ensure every young person has access to music.
Alexis Ffrench Socials
Website | Instagram | X | TikTok | YouTube
Sony Music Masterworks comprises Masterworks, Sony Classical, Milan Records, XXIM Records, and Masterworks Broadway imprints. For email updates and information please visit www.sonymusicmasterworks.com/.
Nov. 13: Anna Lapwood Releases Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost on Sony Music Masterworks – Featuring The Lord of the Rings Organ Symphony
Nov. 13: Anna Lapwood Releases Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost on Sony Music Masterworks – Featuring The Lord of the Rings Organ Symphony
Anna Lapwood Unveils Her Most Ambitious Album Yet
Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost
Featuring The Lord of the Rings Organ Symphony
Anna Lapwood’s Transcription of Howard Shore’s Iconic Soundtrack
Worldwide Album Release Date: November 13, 2026
Pre-Order Available Now
Acclaimed organist Anna Lapwood returns with her new album, Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost, set for release on Friday, November 13, 2026 on Sony Music Masterworks, one that will whisk you away into a vividly realised world of fantastical characters, dark forests, looming mountains and tempestuous seas. Pre-order the album here.
One of the most gifted artists of her generation, Lapwood is famed for introducing the organ to millions of new fans through her interpretations of both classical and contemporary works. On this new record – her most ambitious to date – she dives into two of the most iconic film soundtracks, Howard Shore’s The Lord of the Rings and Hans Zimmer’s Pirates of the Caribbean, reimagining them as major works for organ and using them to showcase the Steinmeyer organ of Nidaros Cathedral, Trondheim.
Ahead of the album, the first two tracks – Prologue: One Ring to Rule Them All and The Shire/Concerning Hobbits, both taken from ‘The Lord of the Rings’ Organ Symphony – arriving, Friday, September 11, and feature Lapwood singing in Elvish. Elsewhere on the album, Lapwood is joined on Rivendell and Song For Justice by the Nidaros Cathedral Girls’ Choir, conducted by Johanna Bjørkhaug.
The album grew out of a chance encounter in a New York City coffee shop, when a young girl called Katherine requested Concerning Hobbits from The Lord of the Rings. That ignited a spark which would eventually become Lapwood’s largest transcription project yet: The Lord of the Rings Organ Symphony.
Lapwood says: “It has been the most extraordinary journey delving into JRR Tolkien's world in more detail, and into Howard Shore’s incredible scores. I knew that if I was going to do it, I would need to go all in! When I wrote the Pirates of the Caribbean Suite a couple of years ago it was my largest scale (and hardest!) transcription I had ever written. I feel like everything I learned from that informed The Lord of the Rings Organ Symphony, which is by far the biggest project I’ve ever worked on and has completely transformed how I think about the organ. It has been such a beautiful process and has made me fall in love with the organ all over again!”
Transcribing everything by ear, Lapwood enlisted the help of fellow The Lord of the Rings fans to choose which movements to include, exploring Howard Shore’s motivic development while maintaining a clear sense of the story’s narrative arc. She also had the opportunity to speak with Howard Shore himself, who offered suggestions along the way. “Howard and his team have been so kind and generous with their time and support during this whole process, and I’m incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to ask their advice!” she says.
Demonstrating her talent in concert halls around the world and drawing a huge and loyal following on social media, Lapwood shot to fame on TikTok and now has over 4 million followers across all platforms. She has been hailed as a sensation by the media, covered by major titles including The Times, The Guardian, The Telegraph and The New York Times with Tatler hailing her “the Taylor Swift of classical music”. “Social media has helped make me who I am as a performer” Lapwood has previously explained, “in that it’s made me realise that I’m allowed to be myself onstage. Now I actually feel like I’m the freest version of myself when I’m performing - and that’s a rather lovely thing”.
Lapwood trained at the Junior Royal Academy of Music on the piano, harp, viola, and violin. Naturally shy, she found music was one of the ways she could most easily communicate. At school in Oxford, she played 15 different instruments, four of them to Grade 8 standard. In 2012, she became the first woman in Magdalen College, Oxford’s 560-year history to be awarded an organ scholarship.
Then, when she was just 21, Lapwood became the youngest person ever to hold the position of Director of Music at Oxford or Cambridge, leading the choirs at Pembroke College, Cambridge. She stepped down in 2025, after nine years in the role to pursue a full-time career as a concert organist. She has performed with pop stars like RAYE and Florence & the Machine, opened for Ludovico Einaudi at the O2 arena, and has even given Tom Cruise an organ lesson at the Royal Albert Hall, where she is the Official Organist.
A lover of storytelling through the instrument, Lapwood introduces a new element on this album, singing in Elvish throughout The Lord of the Rings Organ Symphony. “I’ve never done anything like this before, but for me it was very important to the project. The Lord of the Rings isn’t just a story you read; it’s a world that you enter” she explains. “I really feel like I’ve lived it for the past year, as though I’ve been living in Middle Earth. I knew Howard Shore was a genius before I started this project, but the more you look at it and the more time you spend with his music, the more extraordinary it is.”
Lapwood has worked hard to shift the narrative around both the organ and classical music. With Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost, she is keen to promote the intrinsic value of film music. “This is the music I played in my school orchestras, when I was growing up; it’s the music that made me want to compose,” she says. “It is incredible, intelligent, beautiful music, and I think it is deserving of so much respect! I’ve tried to treat it with that respect in creating this album, showing just how virtuosic if can be. Film music isn’t some secondary art form; it is essential to the success of the stories we know and love. For me, film music is the music that makes my heart sing.”
Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost Tracklist:
1. I. Prologue: One Ring to Rule Them All (The Lord of the Rings Organ Symphony)
2. II. The Shire/Concerning Hobbits (The Lord of the Rings Organ Symphony)
3. III. A Knife in the Dark (The Lord of the Rings Organ Symphony)
4. IV. Rivendell (The Lord of the Rings Organ Symphony)
5. V. The Ring Goes South (The Lord of the Rings Organ Symphony)
6. VI. The Three Hunters (The Lord of the Rings Organ Symphony)
7. VII. The Grace of Undómiel (The Lord of the Rings Organ Symphony)
8. VIII. The Lighting of the Beacons (The Lord of the Rings Organ Symphony)
9. IX. The Battle of the Pelennor Fields (The Lord of the Rings Organ Symphony)
10. X. A Far Green Country (The Lord of the Rings Organ Symphony)
11. XI. The Black Gate Opens (The Lord of the Rings Organ Symphony)
12. XII. For Frodo (The Lord of the Rings Organ Symphony)
13. XIII. The Crack of Doom (The Lord of the Rings Organ Symphony)
14. XIV. The Return of the King (The Lord of the Rings Organ Symphony)
15. Song For Justice
16. I. Hoist the Colours/Davy Jones (Suite from Pirates of the Caribbean)
17. II. Jack Sparrow (Suite from Pirates of the Caribbean)
18. III. One Day (Suite from Pirates of the Caribbean)
19. IV. Drink Up, Me Hearties, Yo Ho! (Suite from Pirates of the Caribbean)
20. Romantic Flight/Test Drive (from How to Train Your Dragon)
Follow Anna Lapwood
Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | X | Facebook | Website
Sony Music Masterworks comprises Masterworks, Sony Classical, Milan Records, XXIM Records, and Masterworks Broadway imprints. For email updates and information please visit www.sonymusicmasterworks.com/
OUT NOW: New Single from Violinist Esther Abrami's Sony Classical Album Amour - All by Myself by Céline Dion
OUT NOW: New Single from Violinist Esther Abrami's Sony Classical Album Amour - All by Myself by Céline Dion
Acclaimed Violinist Esther Abrami
Releases New Album Amour on Sony Classical
Album Marks Major Artistic Milestone For Abrami
Who Presents Her First Own Large-Scale Composition
New Single: All by Myself by Céline Dion
Listen Here
Worldwide Album Release Date: October 9, 2026
Pre-Order Available Now
Celebrated violinist and social media sensation Esther Abrami will release her new album Amour on October 9, 2026 on Sony Classical. New single, All by Myself by Céline Dion is out now.
Marking a major artistic milestone, ‘Amour’ is the first album where Abrami presents an original own large-scale composition at its core: a self-written nine-part suite. Conceived as an intimate and deeply expressive exploration of love in all its forms, the work captures the full spectrum of emotions, from tenderness and passion to longing and heartbreak, and stands at the heart of a project that blends original music with newly reimagined works for violin and orchestra.
“With ‘Amour’, I wanted to explore love in all its forms – not just the joy and beauty, but also the vulnerability, the longing, the anger and the pain that often comes with it. Writing my own suite of nine movements allowed me to express a range of very personal emotions, while the other pieces on the album reflect how universal these feelings are across time and genres. Love is something that we all experience, for the best and the worst but at the end, that’s what connects us all. I hope this album resonates with anyone who listens to it”, says Esther Abrami.
Beyond the central suite, ‘Amour’ brings together a diverse selection of iconic classical works about love, each newly arranged for solo violin and orchestra. A particular highlight of the album is Nino Rota’s ‘Romeo and Juliet: Love Theme’, featuring the celebrated mezzo-soprano Marina Viotti. Viotti’s vocals add a captivating dimension to the piece as she engages in a duet with Esther’s violin. The programme further includes epic versions for violin and orchestra of Céline Dion’sAll by Myself’ and Georges Bizet’sCarmen: L’amour est un oiseau rebelle from Habanera. New arrangements of Francis Poulenc’sLes chemins de l’amour, Christoph Willibald Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice: Dance of the Blessed Spirits (Melodie), and the virtuosic intensity of Tomaso Antonio Vitali’s Chaconne in G minor add even more musical colours to this collection of works centred around love. The album also features a new version arranged by Esther Abrami of Charlie Chaplin’sDésillusion amoureuse from the movie “The Circus”, a poignant composition that reveals the legendary filmmaker’s deeply expressive musical voice.
Throughout her career, Esther Abrami has been known for her ability to connect classical music with a wide and diverse audience, bringing fresh perspectives to the repertoire. With ‘Amour’, she reaches a new artistic dimension, uniting her work as a composer with her unique voice as an interpreter, thus shaping a musical language that is unmistakably her own.
This new chapter in her career follows a period of exceptional success. Since the release of her album ‘Women’ in April 2025, Esther Abrami has become one of the most visible young artists in classical music. Especially in her home country, France, she has appeared on major television programmes, performing for millions of viewers and captivating audiences through a series of highly successful concerts. Her book ‘La musique est (aussi) une affaire de femmes’ has quickly become a genre bestseller and will be released in English and German in September under the title ‘Music is (also) a Women’s Affair’. In recognition of her artistic impact, she will receive an Opus Klassik Award 2026, the most important classical music prize in the German speaking world.
Amour features the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of conductor Irene Delgado-Jiménez and will be available for streaming and digital download in stereo and the immersive format Dolby Atmos. The album will also be released as CD and a limited-edition 2x Ecorecord InkPlosion Colour LP – pre-order here.
Amour - Track List
1. Désillusion amoureuse (Charlie Chaplin)
2. – 10. Amour Suite (Esther Abrami)
11. Romeo and Juliet: Love Theme (Nino Rota) – feat. Marina Viotti
12. All by Myself (Céline Dion)
13. Carmen: L’amour est un oiseau rebelle (Bizet)
14. Moods, Impressions and Souvenirs, Op. 41: Lento (Fibich)
15. Les chemins de l’amour (Poulenc)
16. Orpheo and Euridice: Dance of the Blessed Spirits (Gluck)
17. Chaconne in G minor (Vitali)
* City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, Irene Delgado-Jiménez
Sept. 18: Cellist Sol Gabetta Releases New Album on Sony Classical – Saint-Saëns & Lalo: Cello Concertos with Les Siècles New Single Out Now
Sept. 18: Cellist Sol Gabetta Releases New Album on Sony Classical – Saint-Saëns & Lalo: Cello Concertos with Les Siècles New Single Out Now
Sol Gabetta Releases New Album on Sony Classical Saint-Saëns & Lalo: Cello Concertos with Les Siècles
New Single Out Now - Listen Here
II. Intermezzo. Andantino con moto – Allegro presto
from Cello Concerto in D Minor by Édouard Lalo
Worldwide Release Date: September 18, 2026
Pre-Order Available Now
On September 18, 2026, cellist Sol Gabetta’s new album Saint-Saëns & Lalo: Cello Concertos will be released on Sony Classical – pre-order is available now. Recorded with the French orchestra Les Siècles, performing on period instruments, the cellist presents Camille Saint-Saëns’ two Cello Concertos alongside Édouard Lalo’s Cello Concerto in D minor—three cornerstone works of the Romantic cello repertoire. New single, II. Intermezzo. Andantino con moto – Allegro presto from Cello Concerto in D Minor by Édouard Lalo, is out now - listen here.
Bringing together historically informed orchestral sound with her own distinctive voice, Sol Gabetta explores the contrasting musical worlds of these concertos. Saint-Saëns’ First Concerto and Lalo’s concerto, composed within a span of just a few years, both place a strong emphasis on the orchestra, creating a dynamic dialogue between soloist and ensemble. By contrast, Saint-Saëns’ Second Concerto—written three decades later—emerges as a highly virtuosic and structurally expansive work that demands exceptional technical and expressive range from the soloist.
Known for her expressive intensity and clarity of interpretation, Sol Gabetta shapes each of these works with a strong sense of narrative and colour, highlighting their lyrical qualities while bringing out their distinctive characters. The collaboration with Les Siècles adds a further dimension to the recording, offering a sound palette that reflects the stylistic context of the late 19th century while remaining vivid and immediate.
Saint-Saëns & Lalo: Cello Concertos by Sol Gabetta with Les Siècles will be available from September 18, 2026 on CD, as well as for download and streaming in Stereo and in Dolby Atmos.
Sol Gabetta is one of the leading cellists of her generation, internationally acclaimed for her expressive playing and wide-ranging repertoire. She performs regularly with major orchestras and conductors worldwide and is known for her close engagement with both core repertoire and lesser-known works. She appears with leading orchestras such as the Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic, and London Symphony Orchestra, and is a frequent guest at major international venues and festivals including the Lucerne Festival and New York’s Lincoln Center. Following her recent return to the United States, she made her debut with the New York Philharmonic and appeared with The Cleveland Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, while her international touring activity has also taken her to Asia, including appearances at the BBC Proms Japan. Sol Gabetta performs on a rare Matteo Goffriller cello from 1730.
Repertoire:
Camille Saint-Saëns:
Cello Concerto No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 33
I. Allegro non troppo
II. Allegretto con moto
III. Molto allegro
Cello Concerto No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 119
I. Allegro moderato e maestoso – Andante sostenuto
II. Allegro non troppo – Cadenza – Molto allegro
Édouard Lalo:
Cello Concerto in D Minor
I. Prélude. Lento – Allegro maestoso
II. Intermezzo. Andantino con moto – Allegro presto
III. Introduction. Andante – Allegro vivace
OUT NOW: Violinist Eldbjørg Hemsing Releases Bruch – New Album with The Oslo Philharmonic and Gergely Madaras on Sony Classical
OUT NOW: Violinist Eldbjørg Hemsing Releases Bruch – New Album with The Oslo Philharmonic and Gergely Madaras on Sony Classical
Violinist Eldbjørg Hemsing Releases Bruch
New Album with The Oslo Philharmonic and Gergely Madaras
Out Now on Sony Classical
Listen Here
Worldwide Album Release Date: Out Now
Eldbjørg Hemsing’s new album Bruch is out now on Sony Classical – listen here. Recorded with the Oslo Philharmonic under the direction of Gergely Madaras, the violinist—known for her creative approach to repertoire—presents Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26 alongside the Romance, Op. 85, originally written for viola and orchestra, as well as a new arrangement of In der Nacht, Op. 72 for solo violin and orchestra. The recording reflects Hemsing’s long-standing engagement with one of the major works of the Romantic violin repertoire. She first performed the concerto with the Oslo Philharmonic as a child; now she considers her interpretation ready to be recorded.
“The Bruch Violin Concerto has been a lifelong companion for me—I have essentially grown up with this piece. What is remarkable is how many colours, emotions, and layers of meaning have revealed themselves to me over the years. I feel that I have now reached a point in my relationship with the work that justifies making a recording,” says Eldbjørg Hemsing.
Known for her expressive tone and technical precision, Eldbjørg Hemsing places the vocal quality of the work at the centre of her interpretation, clearly shaping its contrasting characters. In doing so, she emphasizes the particular balance between virtuosity and musical expression in Bruch’s writing:
“What I love most about this concerto is its warmth and its deeply human ‘voice’. Bruch understood the violin in a very natural way. The concerto is virtuosic, but the technical challenges are always in service of the music. That is what makes it so special to me: it allows the violin not only to shine, but truly to sing. Each movement opens up its own world. For me, the second movement is the heart of the concerto… full of tenderness and a sense of calm,” Hemsing explains.
The program is complemented by two works that further illuminate Bruch’s lyrical sound world. The Romance, Op. 85, was originally composed for viola and orchestra; for this recording, however, Hemsing combines Bruch’s own arrangement for violin and piano with the original orchestral score. Notably, the violin part fits the work exactly as written, without any transposition. The album closes with a new arrangement for violin and orchestra by Jan-Peter Klöpfel of Bruch’s song In der Nacht, Op. 72.
Bruch by Eldbjørg Hemsing with the Oslo Philharmonic and Gergely Madaras will be released on Sony Classical and will be available from August 28, 2026 as a stream and download in stereo and Dolby Atmos, as well as on 180g vinyl.
Repertoire:
Max Bruch:
Violin Concerto No. 1, Op. 26
I. Vorspiel. Allegro moderato
II. Adagio
III. Finale. Allegro energico
Romanze, Op. 85 for Violin & Orchestra
In der Nacht, Op. 72 (arranged for Violin & Orchestra by Jan Peter Klöpfel)
Sept. 11: Pianist Lucas Debargue Releases Gershwin Variations New Album on Sony Classical – New Singles Out Today
Sept. 11: Pianist Lucas Debargue Releases Gershwin Variations New Album on Sony Classical – New Singles Out Today
Pianist Lucas Debargue Releases New Album on Sony Classical Gershwin Variations
New Singles Out Today:
Rhapsody in Blue – Agitato e misterioso
The Man I Love – Mirage
Listen Here
Worldwide Album Release Date: September 11, 2026
Pre-Order Available Now
In Concert at Ladies Morning Musical Club in Montreal on October 25, 2026
In Concert at Lincoln Center in New York City on October 29, 2026
Lucas Debargue presents Gershwin Variations, an ambitious tribute to George Gershwin in two parts: One recorded with the Orchestre de Paris conducted by Elim Chan, the other devoted to the pianist's original creations inspired by Gershwin's songs.
Internationally acclaimed pianist Lucas Debargue's Gershwin Variations stand as an ambitious and unprecedented project, born from the desire to explore a radically different universe after recording Scarlatti sonatas and the complete solo piano works of Fauré. This double album – to be released September 11, 2026 on Sony Classical and for which pre-order is available now – is an ode to George Gershwin, an unclassifiable composer standing at the crossroads of classical music and jazz, whose singularity inspired Lucas to create a work equally impossible to categorize.
The album is divided into two parts, both equally grandiose and virtuosic… yet each with its own distinct identity.
The first part, recorded at the Philharmonie de Paris on Stephen Paulello’s unique SP/287 piano, features some of Gershwin’s most iconic works, including the Concerto in F with the Orchestre de Paris conducted by Elim Chan, the Three Preludes for Piano, and a highly personal version of Rhapsody in Blue, enriched with the pianist’s own cadenzas.
The second part, recorded at the Paulello Studio, is entirely devoted to twelve virtuosic études composed by Lucas from Gershwin’s most popular songs, spanning all chromatic keys. This cycle represents the most ambitious creation of his career as a pianist to date, affirming a deep commitment to freedom and invention, while placing itself in the tradition of the great composers who wrote their own études.
The Gershwin Variations is neither a classical album nor a jazz album, but a hybrid work reflecting the anticonformist spirit and the American dream embodied by Gershwin. Lucas offers a bold and poetic reinterpretation in which counterpoint, shifting harmonies, and unconventional rhythms reveal the richness of Gershwin’s melodies. He invites listeners to rediscover a repertoire where popularity is never synonymous with triviality, and where music becomes a space for freedom, daring, and vitality.
Lucas Debargue says: “I wanted to create an album that captures the spirit of constant transformation that breathes life into music in general—and into Gershwin’s music in particular. It features moments of spontaneous improvisation, original compositions, and interpretive choices that leave no trace in the original scores. That is why I decided to title it Gershwin Variations.”
TRACKLIST
CD 1
Rhapsody in Blue, 3 Preludes, Concerto in F
Lucas Debargue – piano
Orchestre de Paris, Orchestra
Elim Chan – conductor
George Gershwin (1898-1937)
1. Prelude I - Allegro ben ritmato e deciso
2. Piano Concerto in F - I. Allegro
3. Piano Concerto in F - II. Adagio – Andante con moto
4. Piano Concerto in F - III. Allegro agitato
5. Prelude II - Allegro ben ritmato e deciso
6. Rhapsody in blue - Molto moderato (Cadenzas: Lucas Debargue)
7. Rhapsody in blue - Meno mosso e poco scherzando (Cadenzas: Lucas Debargue)
8. Rhapsody in blue - Andantino moderato (Cadenzas: Lucas Debargue)
9. Rhapsody in blue -- Agitato e misterioso (Cadenzas: Lucas Debargue)
10. Prelude III - Allegro ben ritmato e deciso
[Total Time: 55:02]
CD 2
12 Virtuoso Etudes on Gershwin Songs
Lucas Debargue, piano
Lucas Debargue
1. Embraceable You - Rumba, in E
2. Fascinating Rhythm - Valse, in A
3. Someone To Watch Over Me, in D - Pavane
4. Someone To Watch Over Me, in D - Gaillarde
5. It Ain’t Necessarily So, in G - Fantaisie
6. It Ain’t Necessarily So, in G - Chaconne
7. It Ain’t Necessarily So, in G - Fugue
8. Liza - Gavotte § Double, in C
9. But Not For Me, in F – Prelude
10. But Not For Me, in F – Perpetuum Mobile ****
11. I Want To Stay Here (I love you Porgy) Adagio Dekadent, in B-flat
12. The Man I Love - Mirage, in E-flat
13. They Can’t Take That Away From Me - Romance, in A-flat
14. I Got Rhythm (I Really Got Rhythm !) - Boom Bap, in D-flat - Part I
15. I Got Rhythm (I Really Got Rhythm !) - Boom Bap, in D-flat - Part II
16. I Got Rhythm (I Really Got Rhythm !) - Boom Bap, in D-flat - Part III
17. Lady Be Good - Berceuse, in F-sharp
Summertime - 20 Concert Variations & Finale, on a Theme of George Gershwin, in B
18. Summertime - Introduction
19. Summertime - Thème
20. Summertime - Variation 1: Tempestoso
21. Summertime - Variation 2: Tango
22. Summertime - Variation 3: Scherzino
23. Summertime - Variation 4: Polonaise
24. Summertime - Variation 5: Féroce
25. Summertime - Variation 6: Scintillante
26. Summertime - Variation 7: Nocturne
27. Summertime - Variation 8: Marcia Funèbre
28. Summertime - Variation 9: Sicilienne
29. Summertime - Variation 10: Intermezzo
30. Summertime - Variation 11: Reggae
31. Summertime - Variation 12: Con Fuoco
32. Summertime - Variation 13: Caccia
33. Summertime - Variation 14: Choral
34. Summertime - Variation 15: Toccatina
35. Summertime - Variation 16: Bossa Nova
36. Summertime - Variation 17: Largo Recitativo
37. Summertime - Variation 18: Teneramente
38. Summertime - Variation 19: Fugue
39. Summertime - Variation 20: Tarentelle
40. Summertime – Finale: Alla Marcia
[Total Time: 55:29]
ABOUT LUCAS DEBARGUE
Oct. 16: Acclaimed UK Pianist Jeneba Kanneh-Mason Releases Songs Without Words EP on Sony Classical – First Single Out Today
Oct. 16: Acclaimed UK Pianist Jeneba Kanneh-Mason Releases Songs Without Words EP on Sony Classical – First Single Out Today
Press Photo of Jeneba Kanneh-Mason by Johanna Berghorn
Not final EP Artwork
Acclaimed UK Pianist Jeneba Kanneh-Mason
Releases Songs Without Words EP on Sony Classical
Camille Saint-Saëns’ Theme from Samson and Delilah
(Arr. by Nina Simone)
First Single Out Today - Listen Here
Today, from acclaimed young pianist, Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, comes the first single from her forthcoming EP Songs Without Words, scheduled for release on October 16, 2026 on Sony Classical. Thoughtfully curated by the artist, the EP brings together music by Felix Mendelssohn, Florence Price, Margaret Bonds, Camille Saint-Saëns and Nina Simone, continuing Jeneba's passion for championing overlooked voices and tracing the evolution of the Songs Without Words tradition across generations, musical styles and genres. Jeneba Kanneh-Mason's first single, Saint-Saëns' Theme from Samson and Delilah, arranged by Nina Simone, is out today, August 28, 2026 - listen here.
Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, of whom Gramophone wrote: “her future will surely be dazzling” and who impressed BBC Music Magazine with her “sparkle and self-possession”, has chosen a remarkable piece as the first single from this EP. In a tribute to the legendary pianist, singer, songwriter and activist, Nina Simone (1933-2003), Jeneba performs Saint-Saëns’ (1835-1921) popular aria ‘Mon coeur s’ouvre à ta voix’ (‘Softly awakes my heart’) from his opera ‘Samson and Delilah’, Op. 67. Nina Simone famously performed her own arrangement of this work as a solo piano piece during her 1963 debut solo concert at New York’s Carnegie Hall, enriching the piece with embellishments and improvisatory flourishes. Jeneba honours this seminal artist with a transcription of that singular 1963 live performance.
Of this first single, Jeneba Kanneh-Mason remarks, "I've always loved Nina Simone, and when I discovered her solo piano version of Saint-Saëns' 'Mon coeur s'ouvre à ta voix', I was completely captivated. I love the freedom and individuality she brings to the music, while never losing sight of the original melody. Including a transcription of her performance on this EP felt like a natural way to celebrate her artistry alongside the more traditional Songs Without Words, bringing together so many of the musical worlds that inspire me."
To acknowledge the origins of the genre Songs Without Words, the theme of her forthcoming EP, Jeneba Kanneh-Mason has chosen Felix Mendelssohn’s Song Without Words in G major, Op. 62 No. 1 Andante espressivo. Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) and his sister, Fanny Hensel Mendelssohn (1805-1847), were among the first composers to write ‘Lieder ohne Worte’, Felix Mendelssohn writing eight volumes of six songs, which became hugely popular.
Continuing her commitment to championing music by black women composers and bringing their often-overlooked repertoire to a wider audience, Jeneba returns to African American composers, Florence Price (1887-1953) and Margaret Bonds (1913-1972), both of whom were featured on her debut album, ‘Fantasie’. For Songs Without Words, she has chosen two rarely recorded works by Price: Song Without Words in G major ‘Pleading’ (c. 1928) and the lyrical yet dramatic Song Without Words in A major (1932). These sit alongside Bonds' The Bells, the second movement from her ‘Spiritual Suite for Piano’ and based on the spiritual Peter, Go Ring Dem Bells, which Bonds developed into an elaborate piano piece.
Having made her mark in March 2025 with her debut album on Sony Classical, Fantasie, featuring works by Frederic Chopin, Florence Price, Margaret Bonds, William Grant Still, Claude Debussy and Alexander Scriabin, of which International Piano magazine noted “…This is a debut recording of exceptional bravura and insight… Already she compels attention”, this much in demand young artist and member of the supremely talented Kanneh-Mason family of musicians, followed it in December 2025 with an exceptionally fine self-curated EP ‘Jane Austen’s Piano’, exploring the musical world of fellow pianist and world-famous author, Jane Austen, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of her favourite writer’s birth.
Single Artwork for Saint-Saëns' Theme from Samson and Delilah, arranged by Nina Simone
TRACKLIST:
1. Felix Mendelssohn: Lieder ohne Wrote V, op. 62: I. Andante espressivo
2. Florence Price: Song Without Words in A Major
3. Margaret Bonds: Spiritual Suite: II. The Bells
4. Florence Price: Song Without Words in G Major ("Pleading”)
5. Camille Saint-Saëns: Theme from Samson and Delilah (arr. Nina Simone)
OUT TODAY: Emanuel Ax, Leonidas Kavakos, and Yo-Yo Ma Announce Fifth Album in Beethoven For Three Series on Sony Classical
OUT TODAY: Emanuel Ax, Leonidas Kavakos, and Yo-Yo Ma Announce Fifth Album in Beethoven For Three Series on Sony Classical
Emanuel Ax, Leonidas Kavakos, and Yo-Yo Ma
Announce Fifth Album in Beethoven For Three Series
Symphony No. 3 Eroica and Leonore Overture No. 3
with Violist Antoine Tamestit
Arranged for Piano Quartet by Shai Wosner
Out Today - Listen Here
Worldwide Album Release Date: Out Today
Emanuel Ax, Leonidas Kavakos, and Yo-Yo Ma announce the fifth album in their acclaimed Beethoven for Three series, which is out today, August 28, 2026 on Sony Classical. Pairing Beethoven's Symphony No. 3, Eroica, with Leonore Overture No. 3 from the composer’s only opera, Fidelio, this new recording marks another milestone in three friends' journey through the marvels of one extraordinary composer. This installment welcomes celebrated violist Antoine Tamestit into the ensemble for the first time.
Beethoven for Three features three friends in pursuit of the essential elements of Beethoven's musical language, presenting his most iconic symphonies in arrangements for small groups. By performing the symphonies on three (and now four) instruments, the artists give audiences a rare look at Beethoven's compositional language at its most intimate and raw.
"We all feel that being able to participate in a symphony is such a wonderful thing to do," says Ma. "One of the things that has separated people since recording began is the categories that we put people in, in which chamber musicians, orchestra players, people who play concertos, people who do transcriptions, people who compose, people who conduct, are all viewed as separate categories with no overlap. That siloed thinking discourages actual creativity and collaboration between people. And so, we feel that one of the things that is really important to do today is to actually go back to the first principles of music, the simple interaction between friends who want to do something together."
"The beginnings of all this music were first arranged," says Ax. "It used to be completely normal that the first release of a symphony would not be the full score. You wouldn't get that music until dozens of years later. You would get the arrangement for one piano four hands, or trio, or quartet, that was done by the composer and handed to the publisher. And that's how you got to know the music."
An avid performer of chamber music, violist Antoine Tamestit joins the group following a recent collaboration with the trio in recital at the Koussevitzky Music Shed at Tanglewood, opening the 2025–26 Tanglewood season. Tamestit, a founding member of Trio Zimmermann with Frank Peter Zimmermann and Christian Poltéra, has a rich, deeply colored tone and formidable technique that have made him one of the most sought-after violists of his generation, with premieres including Jörg Widmann's Viola Concerto, which was written for him.
Pianist and composer Shai Wosner’s arrangements have become central to the project's distinctive sound and reflect the tradition of Beethoven's own era, when symphonic works were commonly disseminated through chamber arrangements. Wosner has arranged Beethoven's Symphonies Nos. 1, 4, and 6 for the trio in addition to this new arrangement of "Eroica" for quartet. His arrangement of the Sixth Symphony, "Pastorale," was singled out by Gramophone for the way it honors Beethoven's original writing without being confined by it. Wosner's own honors as a pianist include an Avery Fisher Career Grant and a Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award.
This new album brings together two defining masterpieces from Beethoven's heroic period, the "Eroica" Symphony's journey from struggle to triumph and the Leonore Overture's vivid musical drama capture a composer expanding the possibilities of Classical form and paving the way toward the early Romantic era.
Beethoven's Symphony No. 3 Eroica represents one of the most profound artistic statements of the composer's heroic period. Originally conceived as a tribute to Napoleon Bonaparte, whom Beethoven admired as a champion of the ideals of the French Revolution and the promise of a new age, the symphony underwent a profound transformation when Napoleon crowned himself emperor in 1804. Disillusioned by what he viewed as Napoleon's abandonment of those ideals, Beethoven famously erased the dedication and instead presented the work as a broader exploration of heroism itself.
Complementing the “Eroica” on the album is Beethoven's Leonore Overture No. 3, originally conceived as an overture to Fidelio. First composed around 1803, the opera underwent nearly a decade of revision before achieving success in its final 1814 version. In the process, Beethoven wrote four overtures for the work: three now known as the Leonore Overtures, named after the opera's heroine, and a fourth, the Fidelio Overture. Of the four, Leonore No. 3 has become the most celebrated as a standalone concert work. The piece references the dramatic climax of the final act of Fidelio, distilling the essence of Beethoven's heroic-humanist opera into a concentrated fifteen minutes of potent, exhilarating music.
Ax, Kavakos, and Ma first performed together as a trio at the 2014 Tanglewood Festival, playing a program of Brahms's piano trios; their first recording effort, Brahms: The Piano Trios, was released in 2017 to universal critical acclaim, with Gramophone observing that the performances "get straight to the heart of Brahms's music, relishing its pull of opposites."
Beethoven for Three: Symphony No. 3 Eroica and Leonore Overture No. 3
Yo-Yo Ma, Leonidas Kavakos, Emanuel Ax, Antoine Tamestit
Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat Major, Op. 55 Eroica
1. I. Allegro con brio
2. II. Marcia funebre. Adagio assai
3. III. Scherzo. Allegro vivace
4. IV. Finale. Allegro molto
5. Leonore Overture No. 3 in C Major, Op. 72b
The concept of Beethoven for Three has its origins at the 2021 Tanglewood Music Festival, where Ax, Kavakos, and Ma first performed Beethoven's Symphony No. 2 in trio format. The performance was an instant success, leading to the first release in the series, Beethoven for Three: Symphonies Nos. 2 and 5, released December 3, 2021 on Sony Classical, featuring an arrangement of Symphony No. 2 attributed to Beethoven's friend and student Ferdinand Ries, working under the composer's supervision, alongside a new arrangement of Symphony No. 5 by contemporary English composer Colin Matthews. Gramophone noted that "the performance by Ax, Kavakos and Ma is not just aptly intense—the opening Allegro con brio is as involving as any orchestral performance I've heard—but also incredibly sensitive to the music's crucial juxtapositions, as one can hear in the Andante con moto, where they so deftly balance delicacy and heroic swagger—note the vulnerability in Kavakos's tone at 1'42"—in a way that I find deeply moving."
The second installment, Symphony No. 6 "Pastorale" and Op. 1, No. 3, followed on November 11, 2022, offering listeners two very different sides of the composer using the same three voices: the brilliant exploration of each instrument's expressive capabilities in the C Minor piano trio, and, in the "Pastorale," lovingly reimagined for trio by Shai Wosner, a vision of the piano, violin, and cello transcending their own identities to become, in turn, bird, brook, and storm. The Strad noted that "the blend and balance between these three hugely experienced players is just about ideal in the relaxed outer movements [of Symphony No. 6] and in the 'Scene by the Brook', while the 'Peasants' Merrymaking' is as rustic and playful as the 'Storm' is disruptive...This is Ax's stamping ground and he brings his string-playing friends along with him for a performance that beguiles and delights from beginning to end."
The third volume, pairing the unforgettable "Archduke" trio with Symphony No. 4, again arranged by Wosner, was released March 15, 2024. The London Times wrote, "Ax's ten fingers provide most of the symphony's harmonic support, leaving Ma and Kavakos free to concentrate on melodic charms and quirks. All unite in ensemble verve and kaleidoscopic hues... intimate chamber music playing doesn't come much better than this."
The fourth volume, released August 22, 2025, featured Symphony No. 1 (Op. 21) alongside the "Gassenhauer" (Op. 11) and "Ghost" (Op. 70, No. 1) piano trios — three works spanning more than a decade of the composer's output, from his early years well into his "middle" period.
Sony Music Masterworks comprises Masterworks, Sony Classical, Milan Records, XXIM Records, and Masterworks Broadway imprints. For email updates and information please visit www.sonymusicmasterworks.com/.
APPROVED PR IMAGE (Credit: Vincent Tullo): Download
Left to Right: Leonidas Kavakos, Emanuel Ax, Antoine Tamestit, Yo-Yo Ma
OUT TODAY: Joshua Bell and The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Release All-Paganini Album on Sony Classical
OUT TODAY: Joshua Bell and The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Release All-Paganini Album on Sony Classical
Album Artwork – For Media Use (Download)
Joshua Bell and The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Release All-Paganini Album on Sony Classical
Digital Album Out Today – Listen Here
Today, August 21, 2026, GRAMMY winner and honorary Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to Music Joshua Bell releases PAGANINI on Sony Classical with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, where he is about to embark on his fifteenth season as Music Director. The digital-only album is available now and features Paganini’s Violin Concerto No. 1 – with a new cadenza by Bell – and Cantabile, arranged by James Stephenson for solo violin and chamber orchestra. Bell’s recording of Paganini’s Carnival of Venice, originally released on the Ladies in Lavender soundtrack, is included as a bonus track. A trailer for the concerto is available here.
An exclusive Sony Classical artist, Bell has recorded more than 40 albums, winning Grammy, Mercury, Gramophone, Diapason d’Or, and OPUS KLASSIK awards. His release of Chopin: Nocturne in E-flat, capturing Bell’s own arrangement of the piano piece for violin and strings, has already been streamed more than 26 million times. Bell has led the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields on several albums, including Beethoven’s 4th and 7th Symphonies, Bach Concertos, and the 2019 GRAMMY-nominated Bruch: Scottish Fantasy.
Bell first performed Paganini's Violin Concerto No. 1 at just 13 years old. More than 40 years later, he returns to one of the violin repertoire's most technically demanding works with the insight and artistry that come from a lifetime of performing.
Bell explains: "Just a decade after [the composition of] Beethoven's iconic Violin Concerto, Paganini pushed the violin's physical capabilities further than anyone had before. Despite its obvious technical difficulty, this concerto is rich with musical challenges – it is extraordinarily operatic, straight out of The Barber of Seville, full of wit, charm, and drama. As the soloist, you get to play every character! This is not just a ‘showpiece,’ it is a masterpiece in its own way.”
Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Principal First Violin Harvey de Souza comments about Bell’s approach to the concerto:
"Joshua is one of those rare musicians who can meet every one of its extraordinary demands while making the music feel spontaneous, expressive and completely alive. To experience him combining that breathtaking virtuosity with the generosity and connection of directing the orchestra from the violin was genuinely thrilling for all of us."
Annie Lydford, Chief Executive, Academy of St Martin in the Fields, adds:
“In 2022, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields undertook a major tour across Germany, with Joshua playing Paganini’s Violin Concerto No. 1 (and then, incredibly, coming back onstage after the interval to direct Schumann’s Second Symphony from the violin). The performances, quite simply, took my breath away. To hear Joshua’s interpretation of this virtuosic work, which placed such emphasis on the beauty and lyricism of the writing, felt like a breath of fresh air. Without a separate conductor, the bond between Joshua and this orchestra is very special indeed: trusting, sensitive, adventurous, and like chamber music presented on the grandest scale. After performing this piece to standing ovations around the world, I am so pleased that Joshua and ASMF have captured it in a recording so that listeners can continue to enjoy it for years to come. This coming season, we will celebrate 15 years with Joshua as ASMF Music Director, coinciding perfectly with a record that celebrates so much of what is special about this important artistic relationship.”
Since succeeding Sir Neville Marriner as Music Director of London’s Academy of St Martin in the Fields (ASMF) in 2011, Bell has “brought a new bite and vigour to the band’s well-established aristocratic nobility,” which makes for “captivating music-making” (The Scotsman). Indeed, the success of their multifaceted partnership has been recognized with a Grammy nomination and the extension of Bell’s contract through the 2027-28 season. As the UK’s Arts Desk puts it: “Who needs a conductor with a leader-soloist of this calibre?”
Download high-resolution photos here.
Joshua Bell: Paganini
Release date: Aug 21
Joshua Bell, violin and conductor
Academy of St Martin in the Fields, orchestra
Track list:
Niccolò Paganini: Violin Concerto No. 1 in D major, Op. 6
1. Allegro maestoso (original cadenza by Joshua Bell)
2. Adagio espressivo
3. Rondo. Allegro spiritoso
Niccolò Paganini: Cantabile in D major (arr. James Stephenson)
[BONUS TRACK] Niccolò Paganini: The Carnival of Venice
Sony Music Masterworks comprises Masterworks, Sony Classical, Milan Records, XXIM Records, and Masterworks Broadway imprints. For email updates and information please visit www.sonymusicmasterworks.com.
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Oct. 2: Classical Soul Pianist Alexis Ffrench Releases New Album 24 on Sony Masterworks – New Single Midnight Dreamer Out Today
Classical Soul Pianist Alexis Ffrench Releases New Album 24 on Sony Masterworks – New Single Midnight Dreamer Out Today
PR Photo: Credit – Alex Lake (Download)
Pioneering Composer and Pianist
Alexis Ffrench
New Single: Midnight Dreamer
Out Today - Listen Here
Taken From Upcoming Album, 24
Worldwide Album Release Date: October 2, 2026
Pre-Save Here
New York, NY – Pioneering pianist, composer and chart-topping Classical Soul artist Alexis Ffrench has shared new single, Midnight Dreamer, out now from his forthcoming album 24 - listen here. The album set for release on October 2, 2026 and available for pre-save here. “Midnight Dreamer is all about quiet, introspection, and meditation. It represents the space between the end of one and the start of another.” says Ffrench.
Formed of 24 meticulously crafted piano pieces and intended as a musical companion to the clockwork regularity of everyday life, 24 unveils as an intimate and immersive snapshot of a singular day.
Gently guiding listeners from dawn to dusk – through the quiet of early morning into the busy heart of day and on to the evening’s golden hour – 24 is woven from daydreams, memories of human connection and the desire for authenticity amongst an ever evolving and increasingly simulated digital age.
Made at legendary Provençal studio Miraval, owned by Brad Pitt and Damien Quintard, Ffrench recorded 24 during ten-days of near-total immersion on an array vintage of grand pianos, upright pianos and organs. Adding delicate ripples of percussion to the record’s kaleidoscopic sound, 24 also enlists a string ensemble featuring harp and upright bass.
Inspired in part by the many messages Ffrench has received from listeners throughout his career, 24 finds Ffrench reflecting on what his music means to those who find solace in it and the cherished moments it has served to soundtrack. He explains: “I wanted this album to reflect the everyday miracles in people’s lives.”
Throughout his career, Ffrench has asked one question above all others: “what do my listeners need from me?” Now, with 24, the answer is both simple and profound: music to live by.
2026 also marks the 20th anniversary of Ffrench’s seminal debut album Piano Diaries. With each piece evoking the pull of a series of intimate and reflective moments, the record fuses cinematic simplicity with an emotionally direct and highly accessible composition that welcomes all listeners to step directly into Ffrench’s intimate and atmospheric world.
One of the world’s most exciting artists, Alexis Ffrench has played a pivotal role in bringing instrumental music to an ever-increasing audience. His accolades speak for themselves, with well over 1 billion streams across his catalogue, multiple No.1 albums and Gold-selling status in the USA for his single “Bluebird.”
Whether he’s performing at the King’s Coronation Concert to an audience of over 18 million, scooping an ARIA Award for his Apple Music show Classical Connections, hosting brand-new Classic FM series “Music to Live By”, performing at major festivals and selling out venues worldwide, hosting masterclasses with schools & charitable organizations or putting his own spin on contemporary pop hits for his enthusiastic social media audience, Alexis is driven by the desire to make music accessible to all.
Refusing to be penned in by genre, time period or the expectations of the kind of musician he should be, and rather than leaning into the traditional understanding of the ‘classical’ genre, Alexis instead leans outward – with his expansive perspective drawing on a multifarious mosaic of influences that takes his listeners by the hand and leads them on a journey through a world of possibility.
With the new album acting as a timelessly enchanting musical journey through the in numerous possibilities held inside one singular day, 24 is the first studio album from Alexis Ffrench since 2024’s Classical Soul Vol. 1 – welcoming in a contemplative and captivating new dawn for the forerunner of contemporary classical music.
Alexis Ffrench - New Album 24 out October 2, 2026
Listen to Midnight Dreamer and Pre-Save 24 here
About Alexis Ffrench
Alexis Ffrench is an artist with a special ability to create music for the soul. A pioneering superstar and trailblazer of ‘Classical Soul’, Alexis’ sound refuses to be penned in by genre, time period, or the expectations of the kind of musician he should be. Rather than leaning into the narrow, traditional understandings of ‘classical’, Alexis instead leans outward, expansive in his perspective, drawing on a multifarious mosaic of influences that takes the listener by the hand and leads them on a journey through a world of possibility.
Alexis’ accolades speak for themselves, as he has surpassed a staggering 1 billion streams across his catalogue, his record Evolution and his single ‘Bluebird’ achieved RIAA Gold status in the US.
A passionate advocate for music education, Alexis is the first-ever Artistic Director of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) in its 133-year history. He is also Trustee and Governing Body Member and Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music, London, and Honorary Fellow of Homerton College, Cambridge. Alexis is an Ambassador for Restore The Music, who work with state schools to provide funding to buy musical instruments and ensure every young person has access to music.
Alexis Ffrench Socials
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Sony Music Masterworks comprises Masterworks, Sony Classical, Milan Records, XXIM Records, and Masterworks Broadway imprints. For email updates and information please visit www.sonymusicmasterworks.com/.
Out Today: New Single from Violinist Esther Abrami's Sony Classical Album Amour - Carmen: L'amour est un oiseau rebelle "Habanera"
Out Today: New Single from Violinist Esther Abrami's Sony Classical Album Amour - Carmen: L'amour est un oiseau rebelle "Habanera"
Acclaimed Violinist Esther Abrami
Releases New Album Amour on Sony Classical
Album Marks Major Artistic Milestone For Abrami
Who Presents Her First Own Large-Scale Composition
New Single: L'amour est un oiseau rebelle Habanera (Arr. for Violin & Orchestra) from Carmen
Out Today - Listen Here
Worldwide Album Release Date: October 9, 2026
Pre-Order Available Now
Celebrated violinist and social media sensation Esther Abrami will release her new album Amour on October 9, 2026 on Sony Classical. The new single, out today, is L'amour est un oiseau rebelle Habanera (Arr. for Violin & Orchestra) from Bizet's Carmen. One of the most popular opera melodies ever written made into an epic instrumental version: Esther Abrami reimagines Georges Bizet's Habanera from Carmen for solo violin and orchestra. Originally written for the opera's lead character, the aria has become one of the best-known works in the classical repertoire. Esther's new arrangement brings the famous melody to the violin, offering a fresh take while preserving the character of Bizet's original.
Marking a major artistic milestone, ‘Amour’ is the first album where Abrami presents an original own large-scale composition at its core: a self-written nine-part suite. Conceived as an intimate and deeply expressive exploration of love in all its forms, the work captures the full spectrum of emotions, from tenderness and passion to longing and heartbreak, and stands at the heart of a project that blends original music with newly reimagined works for violin and orchestra.
“With ‘Amour’, I wanted to explore love in all its forms – not just the joy and beauty, but also the vulnerability, the longing, the anger and the pain that often comes with it. Writing my own suite of nine movements allowed me to express a range of very personal emotions, while the other pieces on the album reflect how universal these feelings are across time and genres. Love is something that we all experience, for the best and the worst but at the end, that’s what connects us all. I hope this album resonates with anyone who listens to it,” says Esther Abrami.
Beyond the central suite, ‘Amour’ brings together a diverse selection of iconic classical works about love, each newly arranged for solo violin and orchestra. A particular highlight of the album is Nino Rota’s ‘Romeo and Juliet: Love Theme’, featuring the celebrated mezzo-soprano Marina Viotti. Viotti’s vocals add a captivating dimension to the piece as she engages in a duet with Esther’s violin. The programme further includes epic versions for violin and orchestra of Céline Dion’s All by Myself’ and Georges Bizet’s Carmen: L’amour est un oiseau rebelle from Habanera. New arrangements of Francis Poulenc’s Les chemins de l’amour, Christoph Willibald Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice: Dance of the Blessed Spirits (Melodie), and the virtuosic intensity of Tomaso Antonio Vitali’s Chaconne in G minor add even more musical colours to this collection of works centred around love. The album also features a new version arranged by Esther Abrami of Charlie Chaplin’s Désillusion amoureuse from the movie “The Circus”, a poignant composition that reveals the legendary filmmaker’s deeply expressive musical voice.
Throughout her career, Esther Abrami has been known for her ability to connect classical music with a wide and diverse audience, bringing fresh perspectives to the repertoire. With ‘Amour’, she reaches a new artistic dimension, uniting her work as a composer with her unique voice as an interpreter, thus shaping a musical language that is unmistakably her own.
This new chapter in her career follows a period of exceptional success. Since the release of her album ‘Women’ in April 2025, Esther Abrami has become one of the most visible young artists in classical music. Especially in her home country, France, she has appeared on major television programmes, performing for millions of viewers and captivating audiences through a series of highly successful concerts. Her book ‘La musique est (aussi) une affaire de femmes’ has quickly become a genre bestseller and will be released in English and German in September under the title ‘Music is (also) a Women’s Affair’. In recognition of her artistic impact, she will receive an Opus Klassik Award 2026, the most important classical music prize in the German speaking world.
Amour features the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of conductor Irene Delgado-Jiménez and will be available for streaming and digital download in stereo and the immersive format Dolby Atmos. The album will also be released as CD and a limited-edition 2x Ecorecord InkPlosion Colour LP – pre-order here.
Amour - Track List
1. Désillusion amoureuse (Charlie Chaplin)
2. – 10. Amour Suite (Esther Abrami)
11. Romeo and Juliet: Love Theme (Nino Rota) – feat. Marina Viotti
12. All by Myself (Céline Dion)
13. Carmen: L’amour est un oiseau rebelle (Bizet)
14. Moods, Impressions and Souvenirs, Op. 41: Lento (Fibich)
15. Les chemins de l’amour (Poulenc)
16. Orpheo and Euridice: Dance of the Blessed Spirits (Gluck)
17. Chaconne in G minor (Vitali)
* City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, Irene Delgado-Jiménez
Aug. 28: Emanuel Ax, Leonidas Kavakos, and Yo-Yo Ma Announce Fifth Album in Beethoven For Three Series on Sony Classical
Emanuel Ax, Leonidas Kavakos, and Yo-Yo Ma Announce Fifth Album in Beethoven For Three Series on Sony Classical
Emanuel Ax, Leonidas Kavakos, and Yo-Yo Ma
Announce Fifth Album in Beethoven For Three Series
Symphony No. 3 Eroica and Leonore Overture No. 3
with Violist Antoine Tamestit
Arranged for Piano Quartet by Shai Wosner
Scherzo from Symphony No. 3 Eroica
Out Now - Listen Here
Worldwide Album Release Date: August 28, 2026
Pre-Order Available Now
Emanuel Ax, Leonidas Kavakos, and Yo-Yo Ma announce the fifth album in their acclaimed Beethoven for Three series, out August 28, 2026 on Sony Classical. Pre-order is available now. Pairing Beethoven's Symphony No. 3, Eroica, with Leonore Overture No. 3 from the composer’s only opera, Fidelio, this new recording marks another milestone in three friends' journey through the marvels of one extraordinary composer. This installment welcomes celebrated violist Antoine Tamestit into the ensemble for the first time. The Scherzo from Symphony No. 3, Eroica, is available now – listen here.
Beethoven for Three features three friends in pursuit of the essential elements of Beethoven's musical language, presenting his most iconic symphonies in arrangements for small groups. By performing the symphonies on three (and now four) instruments, the artists give audiences a rare look at Beethoven's compositional language at its most intimate and raw.
"We all feel that being able to participate in a symphony is such a wonderful thing to do," says Ma. "One of the things that has separated people since recording began is the categories that we put people in, in which chamber musicians, orchestra players, people who play concertos, people who do transcriptions, people who compose, people who conduct, are all viewed as separate categories with no overlap. That siloed thinking discourages actual creativity and collaboration between people. And so, we feel that one of the things that is really important to do today is to actually go back to the first principles of music, the simple interaction between friends who want to do something together."
"The beginnings of all this music were first arranged," says Ax. "It used to be completely normal that the first release of a symphony would not be the full score. You wouldn't get that music until dozens of years later. You would get the arrangement for one piano four hands, or trio, or quartet, that was done by the composer and handed to the publisher. And that's how you got to know the music."
An avid performer of chamber music, violist Antoine Tamestit joins the group following a recent collaboration with the trio in recital at the Koussevitzky Music Shed at Tanglewood, opening the 2025–26 Tanglewood season. Tamestit, a founding member of Trio Zimmermann with Frank Peter Zimmermann and Christian Poltéra, has a rich, deeply colored tone and formidable technique that have made him one of the most sought-after violists of his generation, with premieres including Jörg Widmann's Viola Concerto, which was written for him.
Pianist and composer Shai Wosner’s arrangements have become central to the project's distinctive sound and reflect the tradition of Beethoven's own era, when symphonic works were commonly disseminated through chamber arrangements. Wosner has arranged Beethoven's Symphonies Nos. 1, 4, and 6 for the trio in addition to this new arrangement of "Eroica" for quartet. His arrangement of the Sixth Symphony, "Pastorale," was singled out by Gramophone for the way it honors Beethoven's original writing without being confined by it. Wosner's own honors as a pianist include an Avery Fisher Career Grant and a Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award.
This new album brings together two defining masterpieces from Beethoven's heroic period, the "Eroica" Symphony's journey from struggle to triumph and the Leonore Overture's vivid musical drama capture a composer expanding the possibilities of Classical form and paving the way toward the early Romantic era.
Beethoven's Symphony No. 3 Eroica represents one of the most profound artistic statements of the composer's heroic period. Originally conceived as a tribute to Napoleon Bonaparte, whom Beethoven admired as a champion of the ideals of the French Revolution and the promise of a new age, the symphony underwent a profound transformation when Napoleon crowned himself emperor in 1804. Disillusioned by what he viewed as Napoleon's abandonment of those ideals, Beethoven famously erased the dedication and instead presented the work as a broader exploration of heroism itself.
Complementing the “Eroica” on the album is Beethoven's Leonore Overture No. 3, originally conceived as an overture to Fidelio. First composed around 1803, the opera underwent nearly a decade of revision before achieving success in its final 1814 version. In the process, Beethoven wrote four overtures for the work: three now known as the Leonore Overtures, named after the opera's heroine, and a fourth, the Fidelio Overture. Of the four, Leonore No. 3 has become the most celebrated as a standalone concert work. The piece references the dramatic climax of the final act of Fidelio, distilling the essence of Beethoven's heroic-humanist opera into a concentrated fifteen minutes of potent, exhilarating music.
Ax, Kavakos, and Ma first performed together as a trio at the 2014 Tanglewood Festival, playing a program of Brahms's piano trios; their first recording effort, Brahms: The Piano Trios, was released in 2017 to universal critical acclaim, with Gramophone observing that the performances "get straight to the heart of Brahms's music, relishing its pull of opposites."
Beethoven for Three: Symphony No. 3 Eroica and Leonore Overture No. 3
Yo-Yo Ma, Leonidas Kavakos, Emanuel Ax, Antoine Tamestit
Symphony No. 3 in E-Flat Major, Op. 55 Eroica
1. I. Allegro con brio
2. II. Marcia funebre. Adagio assai
3. III. Scherzo. Allegro vivace
4. IV. Finale. Allegro molto
5. Leonore Overture No. 3 in C Major, Op. 72b
The concept of Beethoven for Three has its origins at the 2021 Tanglewood Music Festival, where Ax, Kavakos, and Ma first performed Beethoven's Symphony No. 2 in trio format. The performance was an instant success, leading to the first release in the series, Beethoven for Three: Symphonies Nos. 2 and 5, released December 3, 2021 on Sony Classical, featuring an arrangement of Symphony No. 2 attributed to Beethoven's friend and student Ferdinand Ries, working under the composer's supervision, alongside a new arrangement of Symphony No. 5 by contemporary English composer Colin Matthews. Gramophone noted that "the performance by Ax, Kavakos and Ma is not just aptly intense—the opening Allegro con brio is as involving as any orchestral performance I've heard—but also incredibly sensitive to the music's crucial juxtapositions, as one can hear in the Andante con moto, where they so deftly balance delicacy and heroic swagger—note the vulnerability in Kavakos's tone at 1'42"—in a way that I find deeply moving."
The second installment, Symphony No. 6 "Pastorale" and Op. 1, No. 3, followed on November 11, 2022, offering listeners two very different sides of the composer using the same three voices: the brilliant exploration of each instrument's expressive capabilities in the C Minor piano trio, and, in the "Pastorale," lovingly reimagined for trio by Shai Wosner, a vision of the piano, violin, and cello transcending their own identities to become, in turn, bird, brook, and storm. The Strad noted that "the blend and balance between these three hugely experienced players is just about ideal in the relaxed outer movements [of Symphony No. 6] and in the 'Scene by the Brook', while the 'Peasants' Merrymaking' is as rustic and playful as the 'Storm' is disruptive...This is Ax's stamping ground and he brings his string-playing friends along with him for a performance that beguiles and delights from beginning to end."
The third volume, pairing the unforgettable "Archduke" trio with Symphony No. 4, again arranged by Wosner, was released March 15, 2024. The London Times wrote, "Ax's ten fingers provide most of the symphony's harmonic support, leaving Ma and Kavakos free to concentrate on melodic charms and quirks. All unite in ensemble verve and kaleidoscopic hues... intimate chamber music playing doesn't come much better than this."
The fourth volume, released August 22, 2025, featured Symphony No. 1 (Op. 21) alongside the "Gassenhauer" (Op. 11) and "Ghost" (Op. 70, No. 1) piano trios — three works spanning more than a decade of the composer's output, from his early years well into his "middle" period.
Sony Music Masterworks comprises Masterworks, Sony Classical, Milan Records, XXIM Records, and Masterworks Broadway imprints. For email updates and information please visit www.sonymusicmasterworks.com/.
APPROVED PR IMAGE (Credit: Vincent Tullo): Download
Left to Right: Leonidas Kavakos, Emanuel Ax, Antoine Tamestit, Yo-Yo Ma
Sept. 18: Cellist Sol Gabetta Releases New Album on Sony Classical – Saint-Saëns & Lalo: Cello Concertos with Les Siècles New Single Out Now
Cellist Sol Gabetta Releases New Album on Sony Classical – Saint-Saëns & Lalo: Cello Concertos with Les Siècles New Single Out Now
Sol Gabetta Releases New Album on Sony Classical Saint-Saëns & Lalo: Cello Concertos with Les Siècles
New Single Out Now - Listen Here
II. Allegretto con moto
from Camille Saint-Saëns: Cello Concerto No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 33
Worldwide Release Date: September 18, 2026
Pre-Order Available Now
On September 18, 2026, cellist Sol Gabetta’s new albumSaint-Saëns & Lalo: Cello Concertoswill be released on Sony Classical – pre-order is available now. Recorded with the French orchestra Les Siècles, performing on period instruments, the cellist presents Camille Saint-Saëns’ two Cello Concertos alongside Édouard Lalo’s Cello Concerto in D minor—three cornerstone works of the Romantic cello repertoire. New single, II. Allegretto con moto from Cello Concerto No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 33 by Camille Saint-Saëns is out now - listen here.
Bringing together historically informed orchestral sound with her own distinctive voice, Sol Gabetta explores the contrasting musical worlds of these concertos. Saint-Saëns’ First Concerto and Lalo’s concerto, composed within a span of just a few years, both place a strong emphasis on the orchestra, creating a dynamic dialogue between soloist and ensemble. By contrast, Saint-Saëns’ Second Concerto—written three decades later—emerges as a highly virtuosic and structurally expansive work that demands exceptional technical and expressive range from the soloist.
Known for her expressive intensity and clarity of interpretation, Sol Gabetta shapes each of these works with a strong sense of narrative and colour, highlighting their lyrical qualities while bringing out their distinctive characters. The collaboration with Les Siècles adds a further dimension to the recording, offering a sound palette that reflects the stylistic context of the late 19th century while remaining vivid and immediate.
Saint-Saëns & Lalo: Cello Concertos by Sol Gabetta with Les Siècles will be available from September 18, 2026 on CD, as well as for download and streaming in Stereo and in Dolby Atmos.
Sol Gabetta is one of the leading cellists of her generation, internationally acclaimed for her expressive playing and wide-ranging repertoire. She performs regularly with major orchestras and conductors worldwide and is known for her close engagement with both core repertoire and lesser-known works. She appears with leading orchestras such as the Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic, and London Symphony Orchestra, and is a frequent guest at major international venues and festivals including the Lucerne Festival and New York’s Lincoln Center. Following her recent return to the United States, she made her debut with the New York Philharmonic and appeared with The Cleveland Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, while her international touring activity has also taken her to Asia, including appearances at the BBC Proms Japan. Sol Gabetta performs on a rare Matteo Goffriller cello from 1730.
Repertoire:
Camille Saint-Saëns:
Cello Concerto No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 33
I. Allegro non troppo
II. Allegretto con moto
III. Molto allegro
Cello Concerto No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 119
I. Allegro moderato e maestoso – Andante sostenuto
II. Allegro non troppo – Cadenza – Molto allegro
Édouard Lalo:
Cello Concerto in D Minor
I. Prélude. Lento – Allegro maestoso
II. Intermezzo. Andantino con moto – Allegro presto
III. Introduction. Andante – Allegro vivace
OUT TODAY: Guitarist Marcin Releases Live Sessions – New Sony Music Masterworks EP
OUT TODAY: Guitarist Marcin Releases Live Sessions – New Sony Music Masterworks EP
EP Artwork (Download)
Marcin Releases Live Sessions
New EP on Sony Music Masterworks
Out Today - Listen Here
New Video: Art Of Guitar (Live) Feat. Yamandu Costa
Watch Here
Catch Marcin Live on His Art of Guitar World Tour
Tickets & Info Here
JULY 31 – NEW YORK, NY – Today, Marcin releases LIVE SESSIONS, a new EP of nine songs that capture the guitar mastermind’s extraordinary musicianship in its purest form — listen here. The EP was recorded live without an audience and showcases Marcin’s unique fusion of virtuosity, percussive guitar technique, and genre-defying arrangements. It features classics such as the Moonlight Sonata and Chopin Nocturne alongside original compositions, and his recent streaming hit Art of Guitar. Accompanying the EP is the release of a new live video for “Art of Guitar,” this time, featuring renowned Brazilian guitarist and composer, Yamandu Costa – watch here.
Of his new Live Sessions EP, Marcin notes: “As I'm working on my second studio record, I wanted to keep things fresh, so I decided to record a brand-new EP featuring live studio versions of my most engaging arrangements and compositions. It includes songs from Dragon In Harmony, as well as some older arrangements that I play at my shows. Meeting Yamandu Costa for this project was a highlight for me. I've been following him for a long time, and he's a real inspiration for me. Collaborating with him in Warsaw on a remix of “Art of Guitar” was a real honor. His performance on the song is fantastic, and I’m also excited about the new reworked elements added in this live version. I'm very proud of this release. It captures raw, unfiltered performances of songs I love to play, and I hope audiences enjoy listening to them.”
Fans can experience Marcin performing live on the final leg of his Art of Guitar World Tour, which kicks off in Asia on August 7, and includes stops in India, Thailand, China, Indonesia, as well as three sold out shows in his native Poland. For ticketing and information, please visit https://marcin.tix.to/tour.
LIVE SESSIONS: TRACKLIST
1. Just The Two Of Us (Live)
2. Smooth Operator (Live)
3. Tribute to Paco (Live)
4. Art of Guitar (Live), feat. Yamandu Costa
5. Chopin Nocturne (Live)
6. Toccata (Live)
7. Carmen (Live)
8. Bite Your Nails (Live)
9. Moonlight Sonata (Live)
ABOUT MARCIN
Named “one of the most talented guitarists of his generation” by Guitar World, Marcin is one of the pioneers of a new percussive style, rooted in flamenco and classical. With nods from Rolling Stone, Billboard, Guitar World, Premier Guitar and more, plus a performance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and his first-ever cover for Total Guitar, Marcin continues to captivate millions of fans and followers with his show-stopping guitar style across multiple platforms. In a few short yet explosive years, Marcin’s virtuosic technique has been championed by the likes of Tom Morello, Paul Stanley, Madonna, BTS’ Jungkook, Timbaland, Ty Dolla $ign and Wyclef Jean, to name a few. In 2022, Marcin launched a signature guitar with Ibanez Guitars as an ambassador for the Japanese brand. The electrifying performances by this Polish-born musician extend far beyond the screen, selling out across Asia and Europe in weeks. Marcin is currently on the road for his first-ever global headline Art of Guitar tour performing hits and music from his debut album, Dragon in Harmony (Sony Masterworks).
Connect With Marcin:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube
ART OF GUITAR TOUR DATES:
TICKETING AND INFO HERE
AUG 7 – Mumbai, India – NMACC
AUG 8 – Bengaluru, India – PCPA
AUG 9 – Delhi, India – Siri Fort Auditoriums
AUG 12 – Shillong, India – Latiri
AUG 15 – Bangkok, Thailand – MGI Hall (2)
AUG 18 – Hong Kong, China – Tung Po
AUG 20 – Haikou, China – Hainan Centre
AUG 22 – Jakarta, Indonesia – Lalala Festival
DEC 13 – Wrocław, Poland – Narodowe Forum Muzyki
DEC 22 – Warsaw, Poland – Palladium
DEC 23 – Warsaw, Poland – Palladium
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Sony Music Masterworks comprises Masterworks, Sony Classical, Milan Records, XXIM Records, and Masterworks Broadway imprints. For email updates and information please visit www.sonymusicmasterworks.com/.
Sony Classical Releases Serge Koussevitzky: The Complete Boston Symphony Recordings (1928–1950) - 55 Albums Out Digitally November 20
Sony Classical Releases Serge Koussevitzky: The Complete Boston Symphony Recordings (1928–1950) - 55 Albums Out Digitally November 20
Photographic portrait of Serge Koussevitzky (Garo)
Coming this Fall:
Serge Koussevitzky: The Complete Boston Symphony Recordings(1928–1950)
Historic Collection Encompassing 55 Albums To Be Released Digitally by Sony Classical in November 2026
Please note that this is a digital-only release. There will be no advance press copies or downloads available.
As the annual Tanglewood Music Festival marks its founder Serge Koussevitzky’s 152nd birth anniversary this weekend, the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Sony Classical announce the digital release this November of Serge Koussevitzky: The Complete Boston Symphony Recordings(1928–1950). The landmark collection encompasses all 55 albums recorded during Koussevitzky’s quarter-century tenure as the BSO’s conductor and music director and includes several first recordings of works the BSO premiered by composers that Koussevitzky championed like Prokofiev, Copland, and Harris. Also included are major works of the great symphonic canon by Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart, Ravel, Schubert, Sibelius, Strauss, Stravinsky, Tchaikovsky, and others. Set to be released globally on November 20 on the Sony Classical label, the complete Koussevitzky-BSO collection will be available to download and stream, newly remastered and presented in the highest quality audio across digital music platforms, made possible by the generosity of BSO donors.
The earliest album from November 1928 is the Boston Symphony’s very first electrical recording: Stravinsky’s Petroushka and Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé suites. The latest recordings of the set, acclaimed performances of Sibelius’s Second Symphony and Grieg’s The Last Spring, were made on November 29, 1950, just six months before Koussevitzky died in Boston.
The highly anticipated collection offers many important works, notable guest soloists, and first recordings, among them:
The first recording of Bach's St. Matthew Passion in its entirety and all of his Brandenburg Concertos and Orchestral Suites.
The first recording of Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf (a later version featured Eleanor Roosevelt as narrator), his Symphony No. 5, and his Violin Concerto No. 2, with soloist Jascha Heifetz. The BSO gave the American premieres of all three works.
The first studio recording of Copland's Appalachian Spring orchestral suite and the first recording of Lincoln Portrait.
The first recording of Harris's Symphony No. 3, a BSO premiere regarded as among the most important mid-century American works.
The first recording of Ravel's Koussevitzky-commissioned orchestration of Modest Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition (BSO gave the American premiere under Koussevitzky) and one of the earliest recordings (1930) of Ravel’s Boléro.
Koussevitzky was considered one of the great Tchaikovsky interpreters, and the collection includes the Tchaikovsky symphonies nos. 4, 5, and 6, as well as recordings of Romeo and Juliet and Francesca da Rimini.
Mozart is represented by six symphonies as well as overtures from his operas; Dorothy Maynor sings an aria from The Magic Flute.
A special highlight is an album on which Koussevitzky himself plays the double bass, including the beautiful slow movement from his own Double Bass Concerto.
More information about Serge Koussevitzky’s life and work with the Boston Symphony Orchestra may be found in the BSO’s online digital exhibits prepared during the celebration of the Koussevitzky 150 Celebration in 2024. Additional information about Sony Classical is available at Sony Classical.
Out Today: Second Single from Violinist Esther Abrami's Sony Classical Album Amour - Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet
Out Today: Second Single from Violinist Esther Abrami's Sony Classical Album Amour - Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet
Acclaimed Violinist Esther Abrami
Releases New Album Amour on Sony Classical
Album Marks Major Artistic Milestone For Abrami
Who Presents Her First Own Large-Scale Composition
Second Single "Love Theme" from Romeo and Juliet is Out Today
Listen Here
Worldwide Album Release Date: October 9, 2026
Pre-Order Available Now
Celebrated violinist and social media sensation Esther Abrami will release her new album Amour on October 9, 2026 on Sony Classical. The second single, out today, is "Love Theme" from Romeo and Juliet. Abrami and mezzo-soprano Marina Viotti join forces to present a truly unique interpretation of Nino Rota’s legendary love theme. Viotti’s voice adds a captivating new dimension to the piece, engaging in a duet with Abrami’s violin using vocalizations only. The track was recorded with the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of conductor Irene Delgado-Jiménez.
Marking a major artistic milestone, ‘Amour’ is the first album where Abrami presents an original own large-scale composition at its core: a self-written nine-part suite. Conceived as an intimate and deeply expressive exploration of love in all its forms, the work captures the full spectrum of emotions, from tenderness and passion to longing and heartbreak, and stands at the heart of a project that blends original music with newly reimagined works for violin and orchestra.
“With ‘Amour’, I wanted to explore love in all its forms – not just the joy and beauty, but also the vulnerability, the longing, the anger and the pain that often comes with it. Writing my own suite of nine movements allowed me to express a range of very personal emotions, while the other pieces on the album reflect how universal these feelings are across time and genres. Love is something that we all experience, for the best and the worst but at the end, that’s what connects us all. I hope this album resonates with anyone who listens to it”, says Esther Abrami.
Beyond the central suite, ‘Amour’ brings together a diverse selection of iconic classical works about love, each newly arranged for solo violin and orchestra. A particular highlight of the album is Nino Rota’s ‘Romeo and Juliet: Love Theme’, featuring the celebrated mezzo-soprano Marina Viotti. Viotti’s vocals add a captivating dimension to the piece as she engages in a duet with Esther’s violin. The programme further includes epic versions for violin and orchestra of Céline Dion’sAll by Myself’ and Georges Bizet’sCarmen: L’amour est un oiseau rebelle from Habanera. New arrangements of Francis Poulenc’sLes chemins de l’amour, Christoph Willibald Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice: Dance of the Blessed Spirits (Melodie), and the virtuosic intensity of Tomaso Antonio Vitali’s Chaconne in G minor add even more musical colours to this collection of works centred around love. The album also features a new version arranged by Esther Abrami of Charlie Chaplin’sDésillusion amoureuse from the movie “The Circus”, a poignant composition that reveals the legendary filmmaker’s deeply expressive musical voice.
Throughout her career, Esther Abrami has been known for her ability to connect classical music with a wide and diverse audience, bringing fresh perspectives to the repertoire. With ‘Amour’, she reaches a new artistic dimension, uniting her work as a composer with her unique voice as an interpreter, thus shaping a musical language that is unmistakably her own.
This new chapter in her career follows a period of exceptional success. Since the release of her album ‘Women’ in April 2025, Esther Abrami has become one of the most visible young artists in classical music. Especially in her home country, France, she has appeared on major television programmes, performing for millions of viewers and captivating audiences through a series of highly successful concerts. Her book ‘La musique est (aussi) une affaire de femmes’ has quickly become a genre bestseller and will be released in English and German in September under the title ‘Music is (also) a Women’s Affair’. In recognition of her artistic impact, she will receive an Opus Klassik Award 2026, the most important classical music prize in the German speaking world.
Amour features the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of conductor Irene Delgado-Jiménez and will be available for streaming and digital download in stereo and the immersive format Dolby Atmos. The album will also be released as CD and a limited-edition 2x Ecorecord InkPlosion Colour LP – pre-order here.
Amour - Track List
1. Désillusion amoureuse (Charlie Chaplin)
2. – 10. Amour Suite (Esther Abrami)
11. Romeo and Juliet: Love Theme (Nino Rota) – feat. Marina Viotti
12. All by Myself (Céline Dion)
13. Carmen: L’amour est un oiseau rebelle (Bizet)
14. Moods, Impressions and Souvenirs, Op. 41: Lento (Fibich)
15. Les chemins de l’amour (Poulenc)
16. Orpheo and Euridice: Dance of the Blessed Spirits (Gluck)
17. Chaconne in G minor (Vitali)
* City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, Irene Delgado-Jiménez
Oct. 2: Classical Soul Pianist Alexis Ffrench Releases New Album 24 on Sony Masterworks – New Single In Flight Out Today
Oct. 2: Classical Soul Pianist Alexis Ffrench Releases New Album 24 on Sony Masterworks – New Single In Flight Out Today
PR Photo: Credit – Alex Lake (Download)
Pioneering Composer and Pianist
Alexis Ffrench
New Single: In Flight
Out Today - Listen Here
Taken From Upcoming Album, 24
Worldwide Album Release Date: October 2, 2026
Pre-Save Here
New York, NY – Pioneering pianist, composer and chart-topping Classical Soul artist Alexis Ffrench has shared new single, In Flight, out now from his forthcoming album 24 - listen here. The album set for release on October 2, 2026 and available for pre-save here.
Nine On Blue finds Alexis Ffrench stepping into a late‑night jazz trio, with piano, bass and drums in close conversation. Written for the 9pm chapter of his 24‑hour album, it weaves blue‑note harmony and rhythmic nods to David Brubeck and George Gershwin into an unmistakably Alexis Ffrench sound.
Formed of 24 meticulously crafted piano pieces and intended as a musical companion to the clockwork regularity of everyday life, 24unveils as an intimate and immersive snapshot of a singular day.
Gently guiding listeners from dawn to dusk – through the quiet of early morning into the busy heart of day and on to the evening’s golden hour – 24 is woven from daydreams, memories of human connection and the desire for authenticity amongst an ever evolving and increasingly simulated digital age.
Made at legendary Provençal studio Miraval, owned by Brad Pitt and Damien Quintard, Ffrench recorded 24 during ten-days of near-total immersion on an array vintage of grand pianos, upright pianos and organs. Adding delicate ripples of percussion to the record’s kaleidoscopic sound, 24 also enlists a string ensemble featuring harp and upright bass.
Inspired in part by the many messages Ffrench has received from listeners throughout his career, 24 finds Ffrench reflecting on what his music means to those who find solace in it and the cherished moments it has served to soundtrack. He explains: “I wanted this album to reflect the everyday miracles in people’s lives.”
Throughout his career, Ffrench has asked one question above all others: “what do my listeners need from me?” Now, with 24, the answer is both simple and profound: music to live by.
2026 also marks the 20th anniversary of Ffrench’s seminal debut album Piano Diaries. With each piece evoking the pull of a series of intimate and reflective moments, the record fuses cinematic simplicity with an emotionally direct and highly accessible composition that welcomes all listeners to step directly into Ffrench’s intimate and atmospheric world.
One of the world’s most exciting artists, Alexis Ffrench has played a pivotal role in bringing instrumental music to an ever-increasing audience. His accolades speak for themselves, with well over 1 billion streams across his catalogue, multiple No.1 albums and Gold-selling status in the USA for his single “Bluebird.”
Whether he’s performing at the King’s Coronation Concert to an audience of over 18 million, scooping an ARIA Award for his Apple Music show Classical Connections, hosting brand-new Classic FM series “Music to Live By”, performing at major festivals and selling out venues worldwide, hosting masterclasses with schools & charitable organizations or putting his own spin on contemporary pop hits for his enthusiastic social media audience, Alexis is driven by the desire to make music accessible to all.
Refusing to be penned in by genre, time period or the expectations of the kind of musician he should be, and rather than leaning into the traditional understanding of the ‘classical’ genre, Alexis instead leans outward – with his expansive perspective drawing on a multifarious mosaic of influences that takes his listeners by the hand and leads them on a journey through a world of possibility.
With the new album acting as a timelessly enchanting musical journey through the in numerous possibilities held inside one singular day, 24 is the first studio album from Alexis Ffrench since 2024’s Classical Soul Vol. 1 – welcoming in a contemplative and captivating new dawn for the forerunner of contemporary classical music.
Alexis Ffrench - New Album 24 out October 2, 2026
Listen to Nine on Blue and Pre-Save 24 here
About Alexis Ffrench
Alexis Ffrench is an artist with a special ability to create music for the soul. A pioneering superstar and trailblazer of ‘Classical Soul’, Alexis’ sound refuses to be penned in by genre, time period, or the expectations of the kind of musician he should be. Rather than leaning into the narrow, traditional understandings of ‘classical’, Alexis instead leans outward, expansive in his perspective, drawing on a multifarious mosaic of influences that takes the listener by the hand and leads them on a journey through a world of possibility.
Alexis’ accolades speak for themselves, as he has surpassed a staggering 1 billion streams across his catalogue, his record Evolution and his single ‘Bluebird’ achieved RIAA Gold status in the US.
A passionate advocate for music education, Alexis is the first-ever Artistic Director of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) in its 133-year history. He is also Trustee and Governing Body Member and Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music, London, and Honorary Fellow of Homerton College, Cambridge. Alexis is an Ambassador for Restore The Music, who work with state schools to provide funding to buy musical instruments and ensure every young person has access to music.
Alexis Ffrench Socials
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Sony Music Masterworks comprises Masterworks, Sony Classical, Milan Records, XXIM Records, and Masterworks Broadway imprints. For email updates and information please visit www.sonymusicmasterworks.com/.