Julius Asal

Julius Asal piano

Praised by Menahem Pressler for his “uniquely beautiful sound and special sonority”, German pianist Julius Asal is quickly establishing himself as one of the promising performers of his generation.

In October 2023, Deutsche Grammophon announced Julius Asal as one of its new exclusive recording artists. The following year, he was selected by BBC Radio 3 as a New Generation Artist for a two-year collaboration, and named Rising Star 2024 by Classic FM.

In 2025, he received the Terence Judd–Hallé Award, making his recital debuts at the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre and Kadoma Lumiere Hall in Osaka, Alte Oper Frankfurt, and appearing as soloist with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, the BBC Concert Orchestra, Munich Symphonic Orchestra and the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

Engagements in 2026 include performances at the Wigmore Hall, Vancouver Playhouse, and Het Concertgebouw Amsterdam, as well as returns to the Klavier-Festival Ruhr, for a tour to Korea, and solo appearances with the BBC Concert Orchestra, the Hallé Orchestra, and the Bremen Philharmonic.

In August 2025, Deutsche Grammophon released Asal’s latest album, Siena Tapes, an imaginative fusion of Maurice Ravel’s compositions and Asal’s own improvisations. His Deutsche Grammophon debut album, Scriabin-Scarlatti, released in May 2024, has already surpassed 25 million streams worldwide.

Improvisation – and the resulting spontaneous, almost native fluency with the instrument – is a hallmark of his artistry. The French newspaper Le Monde has described his performances and programming as possessing a “captivating strangeness,” writing under the headline: “The Secret and Subtle Alliances of Julius Asal”.

julius-asal.com

Programme

Beethoven Sonata for piano No.1 in F minor

Gonzales Selection from Vendettas (UK Premiere)

Asal Nutcracker Improvisations

Supported by The Terence Judd Trust