Isata Kanneh-Mason’s Album ‘Romance’ Tops Classical Chart

Pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason’s debut album Romance – The Piano Music Of Clara Schumann shot to the top of the UK Official Classical Artist chart today. The record heralds the 200th anniversary of Romantic composer Clara Schumann’s birth, which falls in September 2019, and is the first ever Clara Schumann record to top the Classical Artist chart.

Clara Schumann was one of the very few female concert pianists and composers of the nineteenth century. Her influence on piano performance and on other composers of her day has been widely acknowledged; however, her own compositions are only now being discovered and appreciated more widely by critics and music historians. Isata Kanneh-Mason joined forces with conductor Holly Mathieson, violinist Elena Urioste and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra to record selected works by Clara, wife of Robert Schumann, for her debut album Romance.

Speaking from Napa, California, where she is currently performing with younger brother cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Isata said: “What a wonderful message to wake up to! I am overwhelmed by the news that my album has debuted at the top of the classical chart and want to extend my thanks to the team at Decca for their efforts in championing this project. I’m thrilled that the release elevates Clara’s remarkable music to a wider audience. The support of my incredible family and friends can’t be overstated, and I look forward to celebrating with you all very soon!”

On 13th September, Isata will perform at the gala reopening of the Schumann-Haus in Leipzig to mark the 200th anniversary of Clara Schumann’s birth on 13 September. She will perform on the historic piano that Clara once played – built in 1866 by her cousin, Wilhelm Wieck. The performance is part of the official CLARA19 festivities taking place throughout the year in Leipzig, Clara’s birth town.

Isata will make her BBC Proms television presenting debut on 22nd August, introducing Prom 46 which features the CBSO, Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, and her brother, cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason.

Isata already enjoys a successful career as a solo artist throughout the UK and internationally and is currently undertaking postgraduate studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London. She has won numerous awards, played in some of the world’s finest concert venues, appeared at international music festivals, and has performed with Elton John. Together with her brothers Sheku and Braimah, she performs internationally as the Kanneh-Mason Trio.

Isata Kanneh-Mason’s Romance is out now and can be bought here.

Format: UK English