Bryce Dessner 2024

Versatile composer, sought-after musical collaborator and guitarist Bryce Dessner will make his Sony Classical début on August 23, 2024 with Solos, a collection featuring a series of unaccompanied instrumental works written by the composer over the past few years. Dessner, who is also a founding member of Grammy Award-winning rock band The National has selected works from both his classical and soundtrack worlds, which showcase not only his compositional flair but also the immense talent of his acclaimed collaborators, many of whom work regularly with him and are his friends. Featured soloists include cellist Anastasia Kobekina; violinist Pekka Kuusisto; pianist Katia Labèque; harpist Lavinia Meijer; violist Nadia Sirota; percussionist Colin Currie; and Bryce Dessner himself on guitar.

Rich in contemporary colour and contrast, LIFE is inspired by the Norwegian violinist’s experience of becoming a mother. Known for her vibrant and imaginative programming as well as her passionate and virtuosic playing, Samuelsen has created a kaleidoscopic musical reflection of some of the emotional discoveries that come with parenthood. The album presents music by Olivia Belli, Bryce Dessner, Ludovico Einaudi, Nils Frahm, Jóhann Jóhannsson, Mário Laginha, Hania Rani, Max Richter and Steve Reich, with a dash of Schubert also thrown into the mix. Samuelsen is joined on the album by a small group of fellow musicians, including the string players of Scoring Berlin, conducted by Jonathan Stockhammer.