Sufjan Stevens is back to announce his new album Reflections, a recording of his score for the ballet of the same name by choreographer Justin Peck, performed by Stevens with pianists Timo Andres and Conor Hanick. Stevens revealed that Reflections is about “energy, light, and duality.” He continued: “I’m constantly thinking about bodies moving through space when I’m writing for ballet—that is what has informed this music, first and foremost.”
Reflections follows 2019's The Decalogue is Stevens' second recorded release of piano-written compositions. “Although I've never taken a lesson,” Stevens said, “the piano was my first true love. Having two of them at my disposal was an exciting opportunity and gave me a real catharsis about the expansiveness of the instrument... I learned by ear, in a very rudimentary way, inspired by a wide range of music. A lot of the work that I compose is anachronistic as it doesn't follow a genealogy of aesthetic. It can be a cornucopia of styles.”
Today Stevens shared the first track from the release, "Ekstasis," along with a Brian Paccione–directed video showcasing Andres and Hanick performing the piece live. Watch the video below, and pre-order Reflections here before it arrives May 19 via Asthmatic Kitty.
