In an exciting musical collaboration that’s got piano enthusiasts buzzing, five renowned pianists from across Europe are poised to release their highly anticipated EP, “Pianists of the World,” on August 2nd, 2024. This unique project, the brainchild of Norwegian composer and pianist John Vegard Schow, brings together a diverse group of talented musicians to create what promises to be a mesmerizing blend of piano-driven compositions.
The EP features four tracks, each a collaboration between Schow and a different European pianist-composer. As of today, July 30th, 2024, three of the four singles have already hit streaming platforms, ramping up excitement for the full EP launch.
The journey kicked off on May 25th with the release of “Swans of Bruges,” a hauntingly beautiful collaboration between Schow and Belgian pianist Tom Kristiaan. Hot on its heels came “Fawns of Amersfoort” on June 13th, featuring the delicate touch of Dutch pianist Ron Adelaar. The third single, “Lamb of the Midlands,” a partnership with UK-based Christof R Davis, dropped on July 14th and has been steadily climbing playlist charts. The final piece of the puzzle, “Crane Dance of Närke,” featuring Swedish-Danish pianist Rasmus Høisgaard Thomsen (known professionally as Højsgaard), is set to make its debut alongside the complete EP on August 2nd.
John Vegard Schow, the mastermind behind this international project, is no stranger to pushing musical boundaries. With a career spanning over two decades, Schow has left his mark as a composer, producer, and professor of music. His diverse portfolio reads like a musical smorgasbord, including compositions across multiple genres, from jazz and pop to gospel and even film scores. Schow’s recent solo piano albums, including the ethereal “FOG – Lyrical pieces for piano” (2020) and the soul-soothing “REST” (2023), have struck a chord with listeners, with the latter racking up an impressive 4 million streams.
The seed for “Pianists of the World” was planted back in September 2023, when Schow embarked on a whirlwind European tour, popping into the studios of his collaborators in Belgium, the Netherlands, and the UK. This journey, backed by organizations like Music Norway and Musikkforleggerne, laid the groundwork for what would blossom into a truly international musical endeavor.
When asked to describe his music, Schow thoughtfully replied, “It’s peaceful music with strong melodies that invites listeners to dream, focus, and relax.” Pressed about his hopes for listeners, he expressed a heartfelt desire to inspire “calmness, rest, revelations, new ideas and a lot of fun” through his compositions.
The “Pianists of the World” EP is shaping up to be more than just a collection of songs; it’s a cross-cultural musical conversation. Each track is a unique blend of styles and influences, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of the contributing artists. This collaborative approach has resulted in a rich blend of piano music that’s bound to strike a chord with listeners around the globe.
The Norwegian company Make Music Publishing AS has thrown its hat into the ring, holding publisher rights for all tracks on the EP. This backing underscores the project’s international scope and commercial potential.
As the release date inches closer, music lovers and industry insiders are on the edge of their seats, eager to experience this innovative project. The EP is expected to showcase not only the individual brilliance of each artist but also the magic that sparks when these musical minds collide.
For those itching to follow the project’s progress or dive deeper into the artists’ backgrounds, there’s a wealth of information available online. John Vegard Schow’s official website offers a peek into his work, while his social media presence on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube keeps fans in the loop with regular updates. To get an early listen, there’s you can visit John’s artist profile on Spotify or check out the playlist featuring the currently released tracks here.
With its blend of diverse pianistic expressions and cross-cultural collaboration, “Pianists of the World” is set to make waves in both classical and contemporary piano music circles. As August 2nd draws near, anticipation is building for this unique musical offering that promises to take listeners on a global journey through the universal language of piano music. Mark your calendars, music lovers – this is one release you won’t want to miss!
