UK-based French violinist Esther Abrami today releases her self-titled debut album via Sony Classical. From classic pieces by Clara Schumann to modern compositions with Alexis Ffrench and movie scores by Rachel Portman, the album is a melting pot of classical music with a contemporary feel.
25-year-old Abrami made it her mission to spotlight female composers on this album, so that girls entering the classical music world would have positive role models, as well as expanding the repertoire written by women. The album includes ‘Tomorrow’ by Annelie and ‘Romance’ by Clara Schumann, which was released on International Women’s Day 2021.
It also includes Esther’s latest single ‘Chocolat’ by Academy Award winner Rachel Portman, especially arranged by Rachel herself for Esther, and ‘Hope, Ascending‘, an uplifting and warm modern piece composed by the classical-soul pioneer, composer, producer and pianist Alexis Ffrench. Commenting on the tracklist, Esther says “I decided to perform different styles of music to connect with all of my audience. People who get to know me via TikTok aren’t the same as those who have seen my videos on YouTube, or heard my recordings on the radio. As an artist, I don’t want to be put in a box playing only one specific style of music.”
To celebrate International Women’s Day 2022 and to use her large social platform to amplify the voices of women, Esther started her YouTube series ‘Women In Classical’, filmed at Abbey Road studio. In each episode, Esther interviews a different woman from the classical music industry, who offer inspiration and advice through recounting challenging experiences and personal anecdotes. Rachel Portman, the first female composer to win an Academy Award, supported the young violinist as she sat with her for an episode. WATCH HERE
In November, Esther toured with one of the world’s most successful classical singers Katherine Jenkins OBE, and was one of five musicians featured in the Sky Arts TV special, Classic FM’s Rising Stars with Julian Lloyd Webber. In 2019, she became the first classical musician ever nominated in the Social Media Superstar category at the Global Awards. Through TikTok and Instagram she has welcomed a whole new audience into her musical world, sharing welcome practice and sight-reading videos together with tips and helpful techniques for aspiring young musicians. So far, her passion for music has united more than 365k followers on TikTok, 243k followers on Instagram and 192k subscribers on YouTube. She was even recently invited by TikTok to create a playlist for the platform in celebration of #classicalmusic day.
Esther studied at the Royal College of Music and was awarded a full scholarship for a Master’s degree at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Esther plays a fine Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume violin, kindly loaned to her through the Beare’s International Violin Society.
Listed by Julian Lloyd Webber as one of the ‘30 under 30 classical artists to watch’ on Classic FM and ‘Rising Star’ by BBC Music Magazine, Esther is recognised as one of the most promising young classical music artists of her generation. With her debut album already being celebrated by fans, and additional live performances on the way, Esther has fast become a new artist to watch beyond the classical genre.
