Cameron Carpenter

The "extravagantly talented" (The New York Times) American organist Cameron Carpenter releases his first album on Decca Gold, a recording of J.S. Bach's The Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 juxtaposed with his own transcription of American composer Howard Hanson's Symphony No. 2 in D-flat Major, Opus 30, W45, "Romantic." Both works are performed on Carpenter's tailor-made instrument, the International Touring Organ, which was designed to allow him to perform at almost any location worldwide.

"The Sound of My Life" follows virtuoso organist Cameron Carpenter on his journey to realize a dream ten years in the making building his own International Touring Organ and presenting it to the world. The film tells Cameron's personal story…

Like many purveyors of shock, organist Cameron Carpenter trades in several kinds. The Liberace-like image may grab some looks but is of relatively little importance in the end. The title of the album, All You Need Is Bach, hints at a pop influence that isn't really there. The packaging and the notes emphasize Carpenter's instrument, the International Touring Organ. The name gives you the wrong idea of its importance; its portability is unusual, but not unprecedented, and Carpenter plays other organs besides.

The smasher of cultural and classical music taboos (LA Times) is releasing here his first recording with orchestra. Rachmaninoffs famous Paganini variations arranged for organ and orchestra by Cameron Carpenter himself. The album was recorded on the International Touring Organ, together with the Konzerthausorchester Berlin and Christoph Eschenbach A virtuoso composer-performer unique among keyboardists, Camerons approach to the organ is smashing the stereotypes of organists and organ music while generating a level of acclaim, exposure, and controversy unprecedented for an organist. His repertoire from the complete works of J. S. Bach and Cesar Franck, to his hundreds of transcriptions of non-organ works, his original compositions, and his collaborations with jazz and pop artists is perhaps the largest and most diverse of any organist. He is the first organist ever nominated for a GRAMMY® Award for a solo album.

Der Name „Kuschel Klassik“ ist etwas irreführend, da viele der Stücke auf der Doppel-CD zu schwer klingen für romantische Momente. Dazu kommen noch Kompositionen aus der geistlichen Musik, die ebenfalls nicht zum Kuscheln einladen. „Entspannungs-Klassik“ träfe die Sache schon eher. Denn die Doppel-CD ist eine Einladung zu einem akustischen Kurzurlaub, der den Alltagsstress mit beruhigenden Klängen vergessen macht.

Red Hot + Bach charts a new pathway into the musical universe of Johann Sebastian Bach. Through the collaboration of performers, producers, DJs and artists from around the world and across the spectrum of contemporary music, different facets of Bach's centuries-old masterpieces are transformed with fresh energy and modern virtuosity that know no limits. Red Hot + Bach is available everywhere June 17, 2014, from Sony Music Masterworks.