Bryce Dessner, the accomplished composer and member of The National is set to release a classical album, El Chan which features three distinct works: “Concerto for Two Pianos,” “El Chan,” also for two pianos, and “Haven,” for two pianos and two guitars. “Haven” is an eight minute piano ensemble which produces a translucent yet steady flow throughout.

Dessner has said that “El Chan,” is dedicated to Babel and Birdman director Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu. The two previously collaborated with Ryuichi Sakamoto and Alva Noto on the score for 2015’s The Revenant. Per a statement, Dressner says, “The work is inspired by the mythical guardian spirit, ‘El Chan,’ of a pool of water nestled in the canyons close to Iñarritu and [his wife Eladia] Hagerman’s hometown of San Miguel de Allende, in the stunning Mexican landscape, and which has been the source of popular legends for many centuries. Iñárritu in turn created the cover artwork for this new album.”

Dessner recently won a Grammy for Best Alternative Album (The National – Sleep Well Beast) and has collaborated with noteworthy artists from Alejandro Iñárritu, Paul Simon, Sufjan Stevens, Caroline Shaw, Bon Iver, Justin Peck, Ragnar Kjartansson, Nico Muhly, as well as Philip Glass and Steve Reich. Dessner is known to many as guitarist and founding member of the Grammy Award-winning rock group, The National.

Other forthcoming highlights of Dessner’s creations in-concert include Triptych (Eyes of One on Another), a major new 70-minute work for 10-voice choir and ensemble which explores the profound impact and influence of the master photographer, Robert Mapplethorpe, and which will be premiered by the LA Philharmonic in March 2019.

El Chan

PIANO CONCERTO FOR TWO PIANOS
1 – First Movement
2 – Second Movement
3 – Third Movement
4 – HAVEN

EL CHAN
5 – El Charco del Ingenio
6 – Points of Light
7 – Four Winds
8 – Ballade d’Allende
9 – Coyote
10 – Pool of El Chan
11 – Mountain

Minimalist Dream House Tour
4/7  – Paris, FR Philharmonie de Paris
4/8 – Lyon, FR Auditorium de Lyon
4/9 – London, ENG Barbican
4/10 – Hamburg, GER Elbphilharmonie

Photo Credit: Demian Becerra