Julius Asal (piano, exclusive artist of Deutsche Grammophon)
Biography, Audio/Video, Photos, Discography, Concerto Repertoire, Programmes
www.julius-asal.com/
Biography
Praised by Menahem Pressler for his “uniquely beautiful sound and special sonority“, German pianist Julius Asal is quickly establishing himself as one of the promising performers of his generation.
In October 2023, Deutsche Grammophon has announced the exclusive signing with Julius
Asal. Moreover, he was recently selected as a BBC New Generation Artist from September 2024 for two years.
The young pianist, named as Rising Star 2024 by Classic FM, is a regular guest at international festivals (Oxford Piano Festival, Rheingau Music Festival, Sommets Musicaux de Gstaad, L‘Esprit du Piano Bordeaux, Davos Festival, Festspiele Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Gustav Mahler Festival Toblach etc.) and has performed in prestigious concert halls such as Wigmore Hall London, Musikverein Vienna, Suntory Hall Tokyo and Laeiszhalle Hamburg.
Julius Asal grew up as the eldest son of a musical family in the Taunus near Frankfurt am Main. His first encounters with the piano occurred even before he started talking. As a toddler, he improvised freely and played by ear on the instrument. It was only years later that he received formal lessons and later studied at the Hanns Eisler Academy of Music in Berlin and at Kronberg Academy. In recent years, Asal has been particularly influenced by his mentors Eldar Nebolsin and Sir András Schiff. He also received artistic inspiration from musicians such as Alfred Brendel, Gidon Kremer, and Menahem Pressler.
In spring 2022, Julius Asal’s debut album was released by the Spanish label IBS Classical featuring works by Sergei Prokofiev as well as Asal‘s own arrangements from the ballet Romeo and Juliet, which gained international recognition.
The ability to improvise and thus maintain an almost native-like approach to the piano has remained with him to this day and is evident at times in his concerts; such as in October 2023 at the Yellow Lounge of Deutsche Grammophon, where the pianist stepped in at short notice with an innovative concept that combines classical works with improvisations. His interpretations and the composition of his programs were described by the French newspaper Le Monde as “enchanting uniqueness,” with the headline, “The secret and subtle alliances of Julius Asal.”
D. SCARLATTI: Sonate für Klavier c-Moll, K. 56
A. SCRIABIN: 24 Préludes, op. 11: Nr. 21 B-Dur. Andante
Links to the relevant streaming platforms on DG Website: click
photos: Michael Reinicke
Concerto-Repertoire
Piano Concerto in d minor, BWV 1052
Piano Concerto no 3 in E major, Sz. 119
Piano Concerto No 4 in G major Op. 58
Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat major, Op. 83
Piano Concerto No. 2 in f minor, Op. 21
Piano Concerto in a minor, Op. 16
W. Lutoslawski
Paganini Variations for piano and orchestra
Piano Concerto No. 1 in g minor, Op. 25
Klavierkonzert Nr. 22, E flat major, K 482
Piano Concerto No. 3 in C major, Op. 26
Piano Concerto No. 2 in c minor, Op. 18
M. Ravel
Piano Concerto in G major M83
Piano Concerto in a minor, Op. 54
Piano Concerto in a minor, Op. 7
Prométhée – Le Poème du feu, Op. 60
Piano Concerto in F sharp minor, Op. 20
Piano Concerto No. 1 in b flat minor, Op. 23
…
Programmes
Programme 1
Pensées, Op.62
Kreisleriana, Op.16
Intermission
Ghost variations WoO 24
Romeo & Julia (Excerpts)
_______________
Programme 2
Suite for Piano, Op. 14
3 Intermezzi, Op. 117
3 Burlesques, Op. 8c Sz. 47
Intermission
Piano Sonata No. 3 in f minor, Op. 5
_______________
Programme 3
Piano Sonata No. 1 in f minor, Op. 2/1
Prelude, Chorale and Fugue, Op. 21
Intermission (or without)
Preludes (selection)
Piano Sonata No. 32 in c minor, Op. 111
_______________
Programme 4
Piano Sonata No. 1 in f minor, Op. 2/1
Piano Sonata No. 1 in f minor, Op. 6
Intermission
Piano Sonata No. 3 in f minor, Op. 5
_______________