HAVASI – METAMORPHOSIS – NEW ALBUM FROM VIRTUOSIC COMPOSER-PIANIST INCORPORATES NEW INFLUENCES AND CONVEYS A MESSAGE OF HOPE
5 MAY 2023 (TORONTO, ON) — Award-winning composer, pianist, and musical visionary HAVASI announces his second release, Metamorphosis, since signing to Universal Music Group earlier this year. Displaying the exceptional Hungarian artist’s trademark energy and imagination, the ten-track album is mixed by AIR Studios’ Grammy award-winning film scoring master Geoff Foster (The Dark Knight, Interception, Black Swan). It will be released on 5 May 2023 and follows on from the earlier beautifully curated best-of album THE WORLD OF HAVASI.
Metamorphosis is the result of an intense two-year period for HAVASI, which was filled with lots of inspiration, personal moments, and time spent in the studio transforming his original compositions into extraordinary music and songs. "The title [Metamorphosis] stands for the infinite possibilities of creating new things all the time. As a musician, I can take very different elements from all genres, from the great classical masters to pop, rock, and now electronic music – it's about change and freedom", says HAVASI.
The new album features elements of pop, rock, and electronic music as well as a complete symphony orchestra (Budapest Art Orchestra), marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in HAVASI’s creative output, as he explains: “This was the first time in my career that, as a composer, I used electronic music elements in the centre of some of the tracks and combined them with symphonic sound. This was great fun for me since I have always been a huge fan of electronic music from Vangelis to Avicii. Metamorphosis also symbolizes the transformation of the piano itself, and I think we were able to create some tracks that could change the view of the audience of how a ‘classical piano’ or ‘piano music’ sounds.”
Conveying an overall message of hope and encouragement to remember our strengths, the upcoming recording features new original compositions that create powerful images and spine-tingling sound experiences. Taking listeners on a cinematic, emotional journey, this is the perfect soundtrack for our emotions, memories, and dreams. HAVASI notes: "The common theme, if you can call it that, is certainly the feeling of hope that resonates in all the songs. And the piano. For me, music has exceptional power."
The variety on Metamorphosis is simply impressive - from gentle, subtly instrumented songs and a childlike lightness to powerful, driven songs of pure energy. ‘Out Of The Woods’ is the opening track of the album and conveys the sentiment that life always goes on, even if the world around us just seems dark. It's also an homage to Vangelis, Jean-Michel Jarre, and electronic music which have been great influences on the artist.
About ‘The Force’ HAVASI comments: “I usually play it standing up to put more power into the piano and the music. Some people might think it's for the show, but no, for this song I have to put all my body weight in to get to that level of power."
Described as “Hungary’s biggest musical export since Bartók” (The New York Independent), HAVASI’s sell-out arena shows and rock-star charisma have earned him a rapidly growing fanbase worldwide. He has sold more than half a million tickets and his original compositions have been performed across the world's most iconic venues including New York's Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House, Wembley Arena in London, and Berlin’s Mercedes Benz Arena.
HAVASI is a classically trained virtuoso pianist, having graduated from the Franz Liszt Academy of Music, Hungary’s most prestigious conservatoire. He draws inspiration from different ages and different genres – his classical roots come from Liszt and Chopin, combined with the cinematic scope of today’s leading soundtrack composers and modern influences from the world of rock, pop and beyond. In his shows, HAVASI has collaborated with artists such as Leona Lewis, Ronan Keating, Lebo M., Sir Karl Jenkins, Youssou N'Dour and Lisa Gerrard – who described him as a “national treasure”.
After 30 years on stage, the US-based Hungarian pianist has mastered the art of creating extraordinary music and unforgettable live shows – combining piano, orchestra, choir, vocalists, visuals, fireworks, and acrobatics to create an electric, rock-star spectacle. His YouTube videos have clocked up 130 million views across more than 150 countries. His forthcoming tours include dates in London, Europe, and the USA.