Lara Downes
An iconoclastic pianist whose artistry has been called "luscious, moody and dreamy" by the The New York Times and "ravishing" by Fanfare Magazine, Lara Downes takes inspiration where she finds it, going beyond labels like “classical” or “eclectic" to make music that is timeless and timely, starts conversations, and resonates with the world we live in. Lara's forays into the broad landscape of American music have led to her newest chart-topping release, America Again (Sono Luminus, 2016), which was selected by NPR as one of "10 Albums that Saved 2016", and hailed as "a balm for a country riven by disunion" by the Boston Globe. A trailblazer onstage and off, Lara is a laureate of the 2016 Sphinx Medal of Excellence award, recognized as a leader in expanding the reach of the arts as a performer, an entrepreneur, and a cultural visionary. She enjoys creative collaborations with a range of leading artists, from cellist Yo-Yo Ma to former U.S. Poet Laureate Rita Dove, and her partnerships with prominent composers span genres and generations. Hew newest project, Anniversaries for Lenny, celebrates the American legacy of Leonard Bernstein on the 100th anniversary of his birth.
"Downes reminds us just who we are, a nation of diverse voices and experiences. "— NPR Music
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FOR LENNY, due out on Sony Classical on February 9, 2018, is a celebration of Leonard Bernstein for this 100th birthday and is also Lara's debut album with Sony Classical. The album includes his Anniversaries for Piano, new arrangements of his songs, and world premiere tributes by leading American composers.
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