In anticipation of the world premiere of his piano concerto at the 2025 Queen Elisabeth Competition, Kris Defoort releases his complete solo piano works for the first time. Dedicatio Book 1 & 2 presents two virtuosic cycles — musical letters born from improvisation and refined into detailed compositions.

Widely known as a jazz composer, pianist, and opera creator (winner of the 2022 International Opera Award), Defoort reveals his classical voice. Book 1 includes the 2007 Competition’s semi-final piece. Book 2, composed after seven years of operatic focus, pays tribute to artists like Matisse, Rothko, and Toni Morrison.

Performed by leading pianists Jan Michiels (Book 1) and Cédric Tiberghien (Book 2), this double album brings Defoort’s poetic and vividly expressive sound world to the fore.[info sheet from distr.]