Armin van Buuren Unveils Piano, His First-Ever Acoustic Album
Armin van Buuren has announced his first-ever acoustic album, Piano, set for release on October 31 via Armada Music. In a special partnership, the 16-track project will be available exclusively on Apple Music and Apple Music Classical for one week before its wide release across all streaming platforms on November 7. The album’s lead single, ‘Sonic Samba’, is available now on Apple Music and Apple Music Classical.
The announcement was celebrated in Amsterdam with a surprise in-store piano performance at Apple’s Leidseplein store, followed by a panel and playback at Dolby Atmos House during Amsterdam Dance Event.
A Classical Journey
Far from a departure from his electronic roots, Piano emphasizes the classical influences that have shaped Armin’s music for decades. Raised in a home filled with classical, rock, and electronic music, and inspired by his piano-playing father, Armin’s connection to melody and harmony runs deep.
What began as a decade-long pursuit to learn piano for creative enrichment evolved into a project under the mentorship of classically trained composer Geronimo Snijtsheuvel. Each track is inspired by meaningful moments and people in Armin’s life, including his wife Erika, his father, and his brother. The first piece he composed for the album, ‘Fathers & Sons’, set the emotional tone for the entire record.
“Creating melodies behind the piano has always been the foundation of my music. Together with my teacher Geronimo, sketches grew into fifteen pure pieces, free from beats. This project shows another side of me: intimate, honest, direct. After decades of trance and festivals, I longed for music without pressure — just fingers on keys. This album is my most personal work: from heart, to keys, to ears.”
Captured at ConcertLab in Dolby Atmos
Recorded and filmed earlier this year at ConcertLab in Utrecht, the world’s first purpose-built Fine Arts Music studio ‘Piano‘ was tracked over seven days, with each piece recorded in a single take. The album also features contributions from a cellist, a chamber orchestra, and renowned violinist Lisa Jacobs.
Mixed in Dolby Atmos®, Piano highlights Armin’s unfiltered performance. Alongside his original compositions, the album reimagines Robert Miles’ timeless trance classic ‘Children’ as a piano interpolation bridging his electronic heritage with his classical sensibilities.
With Grammy nominations, five #1 DJ Mag Top 100 DJ titles, and a career spanning over three decades, Armin van Buuren continues to explore new artistic territory. From trance mainstages to intimate piano recordings, Piano showcases the most personal side of his artistry yet.
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