Hymn is the twelfth studio album by English soprano Sarah Brightman and first since 2013's Dreamchaser. The five-year gap between both studio albums marks Brightman's longest break between studio releases. This album marks Brightman's ninth studio collaboration with producer Frank Peterson. The album was released on 9 November 2018, entering at No. 1 on both the Billboard Classical Crossover Albums and overall Classical Albums, making Brightman the female artist with the most No. 1s in both charts.
Following the phenomenal success of the first Mozart y Mambo album, Sarah Willis returns to Cuba not only to record two more Mozart horn concertos but also to create a landmark original work that takes its place in Cuban music history. In Mozart y Mambo - Cuban Dances , Sarah commissions the very first Cuban horn concerto – calling on six young talented Cuban composers to each write an original dance for solo horn, strings, and percussion inspired by the most famous dance rhythms from across different regions of Cuba. Together with her beloved Havana Lyceum Orchestra conducted by José Antonio Méndez Padrón, Sarah takes us on a cross country musical road trip in this spectacular showcase of the roots and traditions of Cuba’s music and dance. Cuban Dances is Cuban music as it has never been heard before and a huge challenge for the horn player, not only technically but physically – “if you can’t dance it you can’t play it” she was told. So dance it she did! Mozart y Mambo - Cuban Dances is full of magic, energy, and passion, and Sarah’s love for Cuban music is evident in every track.
“HYMN: Sarah Brightman In Concert” was captured from the Festspielhaus in the enchanted Bavarian Alps, known for its magical lakes, mountains, castles, ‘cuckoo clock’ houses, and the historic and captivating Neuschwanstein Castle. Conceived and created by Sarah Brightman, Anthony Van Laast (“Mamma Mia”, “Beauty and the Beast”), and Frank Peterson, the two-act performance is a hybrid of a musical film and a large-scale concert production. Sarah is accompanied by her band, the Bavarian Philharmonic orchestra, a 50-voice choir and the Ludwig Ensemble of dancers, Special guest performers include Japanese superstar Yoshiki, Vincent Niclo, Mario Frangoulis and Narcis.
Sarah’s new album ‘FRANCE’ will be released on November 20th exclusively in France! The first single, “Just Show Me How to Love You,” a masterful duet with the greatest French voice performer Florent Pagny, accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra, will be released digitally on November 6th. The beautiful ‘FRANCE’ album also features artists Vincent Niclo, I Muvrini, Alessandro Safina, Roch Voisine, as well as other special guests such as Andrea Bocelli performing beloved classics. ‘FRANCE’ also includes a song by classical pianist Paul Ji, winner of Season 6 of ‘Prodiges,’ the acclaimed French musical competition television show on which Sarah will act as musical godmother in December.
This set features the great Sarah Vaughan in a typically spontaneous Norman Granz production for Pablo with pianist Oscar Peterson, guitarist Joe Pass, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer Louie Bellson. Sassy sounds wonderful stretching out on such songs as "Midnight Sun," "More Than You Know," "Teach Me Tonight," and "Body and Soul," among others. All ten of the melodies are veteran standards that she knew backwards but still greeted with enthusiasm. A very good example of late-period Sarah Vaughan.