With the August 2nd, 2024 release of “Pianists of the World” EP just around the corner, the classical music scene is abuzz with excitement. At the heart of this anticipation is Norwegian artist John Vegard Schow, whose vision has brought together a blend of piano artistry from across Europe. Schow, both architect and participant in this four-track EP, offers an exciting glimpse into a project that’s set to redefine collaborative piano music. Each composition, a duet between Schow and a fellow European artist, promises listeners a passport to unexplored musical territories.
“‘Pianists of the world’ is an EP with 4 songs released as singles from May to August 2024,” Schow explains. This ambitious project brings together talents from across Europe, including Tom Kristiaan from Belgium, Ron Adelaar from the Netherlands, Christof R Davis from the UK, and Rasmus Høisgaard Thomsen from Sweden/Denmark.
The genesis of this project traces back to September 2023, when Schow embarked on a musical pilgrimage. “I met with the composers in their studios in Belgium, Netherland and UK,” he recalls. This journey, supported by Music Norway, Musikkforleggerne, and other sponsors, laid the foundation for what would become a truly international collaboration.
Schow’s musical journey began in his childhood. “My mother always sang for me when I was a child,” he reminisces. “I remember I recorded rock-n-roll songs on a cassette player as a little child.” From these early experiences, Schow’s musical repertoire expanded to include various instruments, ultimately leading him to the piano and a professional career that began in 2001.
The EP showcases four distinct collaborations. “Swans of Bruges” with Tom Kristiaan was released on May 25th, followed by “Fawns of Amersfoort” with Ron Adelaar on June 13th. “Lamb of the Midlands,” created with Christof R Davis, came out on July 14th.The final piece, “Crane Dance of Närke” with Højsgaard, is set to release alongside the complete EP on August 2nd.
This project is just one facet of Schow’s prolific career. His recent works include solo piano albums like “FOG – Lyrical pieces for piano” (2020), “Meistersaal Sessions – Live from Berlin” Parts 1 and 2 (2022 & 2023), and the “REST” EP (2023), which has garnered nearly 4 million streams.
Looking ahead, Schow reveals, “I am working on new music for solo piano that will be released during the fall and winter of 2024-2025.” He’s also delving into more ambitious projects, including compositions based on the Song of Songs and 150 songs inspired by the Psalms.
From a business perspective, the Norwegian company Make Music Publishing AS holds publisher rights for all tracks on the EP, underscoring the project’s international nature while maintaining local connections.
As the release date approaches, Schow encapsulates the essence of “Pianists of the World”: “It’s a masterful collaboration that brings together the creative minds of John Vegard Schow, Ron Adelaar, Christof R Davis, Tom Kristiaan and Højsgaard (Rasmus H Thomsen). It’s an album that transcends boundaries, cultures, and languages, offering a universal language etched in the language of the piano.”
With its diverse array of talent and cross-cultural collaboration, “Pianists of the World” stands as a testament to the unifying power of music. As August 2nd draws near, music enthusiasts worldwide await this unique fusion of European piano artistry, ready to embark on a musical journey that promises to captivate, inspire, and transcend borders.
You can follow and connect with John Vegard Schow and keep up with the project via his official website, Spotify, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
To listen to all currently released tracks, visit the official Spotify playlist, here.
