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Artist: Anna Lapwood
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Anna Lapwood:

'Limina Luminis' from 'Firedove'

One of the most gifted and visionary artists of her generation, Anna Lapwood, releases her brand-new album, ‘Firedove’, May 30th on Sony Classical. It is the follow-up to her acclaimed album ‘Luna’. The lead track is the captivating ‘Limina Luminis’, commissioned for and first performed at the 2023 BBC Proms, composed for Anna by Italian composer Olivia Belli. “This piece was part of my first solo recital at the BBC Proms, and I’ve played it in nearly every concert since, because I love it so much.” Anna says.

Already renowned for introducing the organ to new generations of music fans through her extraordinary interpretations of both classical and contemporary works, Anna Lapwood has become known to millions through viral TikTok videos, high-profile collaborations and sold-out live concerts.

Anna recorded her new album ‘Firedove’ through the night at Nidaros Cathedral, a spectacular Gothic masterpiece founded in the 11th century in Trondheim, Norway.

“I wanted to create an album where the listener doesn’t quite know where it’s going to go next,” Lapwood says. “There are lots of little easter eggs in there that you wouldn’t expect – even the first appearance of the choir – and a through-line of flight and spreading wings, because this does feel as though I’ve found what I want to say as an artist. I’m very proud of it.”

‘Firedove’ effortlessly demonstrates Anna’s open-minded approach to music, one where a Vierne scherzo can sit alongside a rendition of Robbie Williams ‘Angels’, and Maurice Duruflé’s ‘Prelude and Fugue’ with Bob Dylan’s ‘Make You Feel My Love’.

The repertoire choices on her album clearly indicate that it is Anna’s most personal record to date. She is no stranger to blending classical music with pop having performed with RAYE, Florence & The Machine & Aurora, even finding time to give Tom Cruise an impromptu organ lesson during a late- night rehearsal at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

Anna was appointed Director of Music at Pembroke College, Cambridgeshire when she was 21, the youngest person ever to hold that position at either an Oxford or Cambridge University College. Now, nine years later, she is stepping down to pursue her live and recording career full time.

On ‘Firedove’ Anna Lapwood brings a breath of fresh air into classical musical making. “Since I started focusing on the music I loved and stopped worrying about what others felt I ‘should’ be doing, I have fallen in love with the organ again in a completely new way” she says.

The results are staggering, and Anna’s intense musical passion is evident throughout ‘Firedove’. An intoxicating listen.

Anna Lapwood:

Luna

Marking an exciting new chapter in her career, organ sensation Anna Lapwood stands on the cusp of something special as she announces her eagerly anticipated new album Luna - out September 29th on Sony Classical.

The album follows a flurry of exciting activity this year.  She picked up the prestigious RPS Gamechanger Award at The Royal Philharmonic Society Awards, celebrated the release of her stunning 5 track EP Midnight Sessions At The Royal Albert Hall and is about to perform a solo recital as part of this year’s BBC Proms season. 

An album that represents a rounded reflection of her highly impressive career to date, Luna is a fifteen-track collection of traditional classical repertoire alongside contemporary composers and new film music transcriptions.  The album predominantly features Anna as an organist, but the other side of her musical life is showcased too, conducting the Pembroke College Chapel Choir for two of the tracks. 

Anna explains: “One of the highlights of my year is the time I spend teaching music in Zambia.  I love it for the people, the music & the laughter, but I also always look forward to the first time I see the Zambian night sky again.  You look up and it’s just completely full of stars.  Bright stars, dull stars; some twinkling, some static; some glowing orbs and others dots smaller than pinpricks.  With this album, I’m imagining we’re standing there, gazing at the sky, overwhelmed by the magnitude of what we can see.  I’m imagining that as we stare upwards, our minds can almost take us there, travelling through the night sky and exploring individual stars with their unique personalities and characteristics.”

Anna Lapwood:

Midnight Sessions at the Royal Albert Hall

Anna Lapwood is like no other musician, and after recently signing a major label deal with Sony Classical, she releases her 5 track Midnight Sessions At The Royal Albert Hall EP of film transcriptions - out now - recorded on the organ of the Royal Albert Hall. An album will arrive later this year, as well as a host of prestigious organ recitals and concertos this Spring.

The first single from the EP - ‘Cornfield Chase (From “Interstellar”)’ is composed by Hans Zimmer - is out today (listen here), and you can get to know this extremely exciting and talented artist via her Introduction video here.

Of the EP and first single, Anna comments; “Over the last 11 months I’ve been lucky enough to be let into the Royal Albert Hall in the middle-of-the night for practice sessions on the hall’s magnificent organ. As I’ve explored the strange, beautiful and wonderful colours that it has to offer, I’ve written a set of new film music transcriptions with that specific instrument in mind, capturing some of the magic that I feel in that iconic building after hours. Cornfield Chase is a special one because it started me off on this huge journey of exploration and discovery. I was performing a concert at Temple Church in London, where the Interstellar soundtrack was originally recorded, and couldn’t resist trying a little bit out. I posted a short clip on TikTok and it blew up straight away – I didn’t really look back after that!”

The 27-year-old from a small Oxfordshire village has been making waves with her exciting approach to organ playing, awakening the senses of young and old alike, opening the gateways to classical music and shining a light on an often under-appreciated instrument.