Highly anticipated solo piano album by Multi-Grammy and Oscar Award winner Jon Batiste via Verve Records / Interscope.
Jon Batiste‘s eighth studio album, Beethoven Blues (Batiste Piano Series, Vol. 1), on Verve Records / Interscope marks the first volume of Batiste’s new solo piano series, where he reimagines Beethoven’s most iconic compositions through the lens of the blues. The result is a collection that not only honors Beethoven’s genius but also reflects Batiste’s signature genre-blending approach, embodying what The New York Times calls his “message of open-armed inclusivity.”
The idea for Beethoven Blues began to take shape after a 2023 interview with CNN’s Chris Wallace. During the conversation, Batiste demonstrated how music could cross genre boundaries by transforming Beethoven’s “Für Elise” at the piano, sparking a wave of enthusiasm across social media. That response encouraged Batiste to bring his long-held vision of an album dedicated to these reimagined classics to life. While he has often woven classical music into his previous albums and performances, Beethoven Blues is the first time he dedicates an entire album to this concept.
“For each piece on the album, I started with one of Beethoven’s original works,” Batiste explains. “From there, I created something new at the piano, in real time. Spontaneous composition is a nearly lost practice in classical music, which can sometimes feel too canonized. Recording this album was a deeply spiritual experience, allowing me to honor Beethoven’s artistry while bringing his work into conversation with my own creative journey.”
Batiste’s career has been defined by his versatility and passion for connecting people through music. He’s been praised as “a certified musical genius” by The Guardian and described as “a protean pianist and megawatt personality” by Variety. With classical training from Juilliard and deep roots in Louisiana’s musical traditions, Batiste has forged a unique path, blending genres to create something wholly his own.
He returned to his classical roots during the 2021-22 season with a multi-concert “Perspectives” series at Carnegie Hall, culminating in the premiere of his American Symphony in 2022. The orchestral work, commissioned by Carnegie Hall, was hailed by Classical Source as “a joyous and beefy blend of orchestral sounds, funk, Dixieland, Latin, gospel, country, cool jazz, swing, hip-hop, R&B, as well as other styles and genres,” underscoring Batiste’s ability to bring together diverse musical influences into a cohesive, uplifting experience.
Label: Verve Records / Interscope
Tracklist:
- Für Elise-BatisteY
- Symphony No. 5 Stomp
- Moonlight Sonata Blues
- Dusklight Movement
- Seventh Symphony Elegy
- American Symphony Theme
- Ode to Joyful
- 5th Symphony in Congo Square
- Waldstein Wobble
- Life of Ludwig
- Für Elise-Reverie
Buy: Vinyl
