Eunike Tanzil: The First Of Everything (Crystal Clear) (180 g) (LP)

In April last year, Eunike Tanzil signed with Deutsche Grammophon, becoming the first Asian composer to be signed to the yellow label. Now the LA-based Indonesian composer, pianist and producer has recorded her debut album "The First of Everything". The 12 tracks are musical snapshots of a series of significant firsts in her life and reveal the gift of storytelling that is central to her work, whether she is writing for the stage, screen or concert hall. In collaboration with orchestrator Max Knoth, Eunike recorded The First of Everything at Berlin's Teldex Studios with the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester and conductor Anna Handler. She plays the piano, celesta, bells and even the snare drum herself, while her DG colleague Sophie Kauer plays the solo cello on two pieces. The First of Everything reflects the versatility, sense of freedom and spirit of adventure that are all part of Tanzil's modern take on orchestral music. "There's a story behind every piece, and all the pieces are based on personal experiences, especially first experiences - the key moments in my life that have made me who I am today," she explains. "Once I found the flow and knew what I wanted the album to be about, it all came naturally." She tells her musical stories with great stylistic and instrumental variety, from more minimalist pieces to expansive, cinematic orchestral pieces.