SIENA TAPES Julius Asal | Deutsche Grammophon

German pianist Julius Asal releases his second DG album Siena Tapes. The project features a selection of pieces by Ravel, a new composition by the producer of the album, Christian Badzura, as well as three new improvisational pieces Cascades I-III, written by Asal himself.

Originally conceived as a 150th-anniversary tribute to Ravel, the album grew into a very personal project during the writing and recording process. “In a miraculous way,” he notes, “Ravel had access to all sound colours. Even his more subtle works for piano contain shades and forces that you would usually find only in a complex symphony.”

All of the pieces were recorded at American record producer Rick Rubin’s Chapel in Siena in September 2024.