Violinist Esther Abrami’s eponymous Sony Classical debut album is a creative melting pot of different styles of classical music – full of new and inspiring compositions. Collaborating with a great variety of contemporary composers and musicians as well as the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, Esther Abrami has set a creative and inspiring musical landmark representing a new generation of classical musicians.
British composer and pianist Alexis Ffrench, Dutch neo-classical pianist Annelie, French pianist and composer Alban Claudin, Oscar-winning British composer Rachel Portman, British Cellist and composer Julian Llyod Webber and American film-composer Jacob Shea all contributed new compositions to Esther Abrami. Next to this, the album features original compositions by Clara Schumann and Amy Beach as well as several unique new arrangements of some of the most famous classical melodies by Pjotr Tchaikovsky, Eric Satie or Frédéric Chopin. Composer and pianist Florian Christl has written a new arrangement based on Bach’s famous violin concerto and producer and composer Wide Eyed created an atmospheric new variation over Mozart’s legendary “Eine kleine Nachtmusik”. A special highlight on the album is “Sainte Victoire en sol mineur” – a great orchestral composition Esther wrote together with French producer Worakls.
“I've decided to perform different styles to connect with all my audience. People who get to know me via TikTok aren’t the same as those who found me on YouTube or on the radio. I wanted to link all of them together. I don’t think we should just be put in a box with only one music style. In classical music, musicians have a tendency to fade behind the music, but with this album people can discover who I really am as I’ve satisfied all my musical tastes and been able to be myself” says Esther.
She adds: “I’ve worked directly with Rachel Portman, who was one of my idols when I was younger. It was very important for me, as it’s going in the same direction as with Tomorrow by Annelie or Romance by Clara Schumann. I want to inspire young women to become a classical composer or musician, as we are still too few. It’s time to change things!’’
REVIEW:
Abrami’s self-titled debut album is a pleasing patchwork of pieces, from familiar items in new arrangements to works by high-profile newcomers. Radio airplay is surely guaranteed for this playlist, the gloss of which is almost blinding. Some lovely moments.
-- BBC Music Magazine
Tracklisting
Pjotr IljitschTchaikovsky: Swan Lake Variation
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Paganini Variation
Julian Lloyd Webber: Jackie's Song (Romanza)*
Annelie: Tomorrow
Johann Sebastian Bach: Bach Variation feat. Florian Christl*
Alexis Ffrench: Hope, Ascending
Jacob Shea: Mozart Variation
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Mozart Variation feat. Wide Eyed
Maurice Ravel: Ravel Variation
Frédéric Chopin: Chopin Raindrop Variation
Clara Schumann: Three Romances for Violin and Piano, Op. 22: I. Andante molto
Worakls, Esther Abrami: Sainte Victoire en sol mineur*
Rachel Portman: Themes from "Chocolat"*
Alban Claudin: Sunken Dreams
Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman: Scales and Arpeggios (from "Aristocats")*
Eric Satie: Satie Variation (after Gymnopédie No. 3)
This new release is a stunning collection of classical-soul, piano-led pieces composed, arranged and performed by Alexis Ffrench. It is the perfect follow up album to his chart-topping Sony Music debut, ‘Evolution,’ and includes works for solo piano, piano & orchestra, and a special guest feature from international cello superstar Tina Guo. Alexis Ffrench has high ambition. This exceptional pianist and composer who trained at the Purcell School, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Royal Academy wants to bring joy to a world of troubled times. He also wants to change the way people perceive classical music and to help make it more inclusive and democratic, more relevant to the society in which we live.
“In writing the album, Dreamland, I wanted to shine a light in times of darkness as an antidote to our troubled times; to give listeners an opportunity to stop, listen and breathe, if only for one three minute track. I hope listeners use Dreamland as a form of escapism, to transport them to a safe and calm oasis in which they can create time for self-care, often an afterthought in our busy, stressful working lives.” -- Alexis Ffrench
“EVOLUTION is inspired by the extremes and inherent fragility of the human experience - loss, love, birth, sorrow, vulnerability, triumph and despair but, above all, our ability to come through adversity and radiate the best versions of ourselves. In a world ever more divided by fear, mistrust and prejudice, dissonance and disharmony have been normalised and amplified through every day experience. Yet, even in the darkest of times, and through fragmented and shattered unions, our innermost selves desire to be connected. This album explores the beauty that lies beneath and the truths that bind us.” -- Alexis Ffrench With an impressive 75 million streams to date and over 1.5 million active listeners a month, contemporary pianist and composer Alexis Ffrench is a rising star in the streaming world. Alexis is an alumnus of some of the most prestigious music institutions in the country: Purcell School Of Music, Royal Academy Of Music and Guildhall School Of Music and Drama. As likely to be found listening to Kendrick Lamar or Chance the Rapper as Bach and Beethoven, Alexis’ combination of classical training and love for R&B and Roots music has helped define his unique sound. With a brand new album on Sony Music, several high profile performances, and an exciting partnership with Modest! Management, 2018 is already setting up to be Alexis’ most exciting year to date.
