Lara Downes presents Hold These Truths, a deeply personal and timely musical journey shaped by an extraordinary two-year odyssey across the United States. Traveling from California to New York, from Vermont to Alabama, Downes uses music as both compass and passport – connecting with communities, sharing stories, and reflecting on the complexities of contemporary American life as she observes this 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding. The result is a richly woven programme that brings together voices past and present, from early American songs and spirituals to works by Copland, Bernstein, and Oscar Peterson, alongside new music by composers who define today’s American sound (Carlos Simon, Christopher Tin, and others). Each piece is illuminated by the words and perspectives of those encountered along the way, offering an intimate and collective portrait of a nation in search of truth, identity, and hope.

Both reflective and forward-looking, Hold These Truths confronts the tensions of the present while affirming the enduring power of shared human experience. Themes of freedom, resilience, and belonging resonate throughout, culminating in a programme that is as emotionally compelling as it is culturally significant. Featuring collaborations with a remarkable group of artists and composers, this album captures Downes’ unique ability to blend storytelling with artistry, creating a space for dialogue, empathy, and connection. Lara Downes returns to PENTATONE following her acclaimed albums Love at Last (2023) and This Land (2025).

Lara Downes – piano