Deutsche Grammophon signs Indonesian Composer and Pianist Eunike Tanzil
Berlin, 26 April 2024. Deutsche Grammophon is delighted to announce the signing of an exclusive agreement with Eunike Tanzil. The LA-based Indonesian composer, pianist and producer is already known for carefully-crafted musical narratives that resonate deeply with audiences in both the cinema and the concert hall. As well as contributing to the soundtracks of Asian Persuasion and I Wanna Dance with Somebody, she has recently seen the premieres of two orchestral works – Celestial Waves (Bangkok, 2023, “a marvel of thematic imagination” – Bangkok Post) and Scenes from a Voyage (Indianapolis, 2024).
Eunike is a leading social media creative, known in particular for her “Hum me a Melody” series. She uses her online presence to bring orchestral music to a wider audience and to provide inspiration for other creators. She also regularly collaborates with other artists, most recently Grammy®-winning singer-songwriter Laufey. The pair took the Bose/Porsche/She Is The Music “Turn the Dial” challenge, writing, recording and producing a brand-new track within just three hours.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Eunike Tanzil to the team,” says Nanja Oedi, DG Director Marketing New Repertoire. “Her creativity, both as a musician and digital strategist, aligns perfectly with our vision of empowering and amplifying unique voices.”
“To find myself in the company of my musical heroes, John Williams and Joe Hisaishi, within this label is an immense honour,” says Eunike Tanzil. “DG’s commitment to sound quality and supporting my creative vision is essential for me as an artist. This partnership allows me to articulate my emotions through music and connect with listeners around the world.”
Her career with DG is launched today with the release of a double digital single, Luna. Initially composed for cello and piano, Luna has now also been reimagined by the composer for solo piano. The recording of the original version, in which Eunike is joined by cellist Emanuel Keller, is accompanied by both a performance video and an animation short created by Michelle Flitman. “Luna is about connecting human existence to the enduring nature of the moon,” notes Tanzil. “Like the moon, people may experience solitude, conceal their true emotions, and project an outward image of strength and perfection.” Her debut DG album will follow in 2025.
Adding his welcome, Christian Badzura, Deutsche Grammophon’s Vice President A&R New Repertoire, says, “I discovered Eunike through her ‘Hum me a Melody’ series on Instagram. She’s a highly talented composer and pianist, with a strong affinity for melody and orchestral structures, and I’m delighted that she’s joining us as an exclusive artist.”
Eunike Tanzil was born on the Indonesian island of Sumatra in 1998 and started learning piano at the age of five. While still very young, she discovered the music of John Williams and realised that she felt a particularly close connection to music designed to tell stories. At 17, she moved to the US, going on to gain degrees from the Berklee College of Music and The Juilliard School, having won full scholarships to both. The mentorship of such leading figures of the music world as John Debney, Pinar Toprak and John Corigliano has played a key role in forging her artistic vision and identity.
Her work is notable for its stylistic variety, incorporating a range of influences – from traditional Indonesian gamelan music in her string quartet Three Balinese Dances to the jazzy harmonies of Kapustin in Winter Matcha, for clarinet and piano. This diversity is reflected in her collaborative projects with an equally varied range of artists including – as well as Laufey – TwoSet Violin, Arturo Sandoval and Ray Chen. Whether writing for solo piano, chamber ensemble or orchestra; for social media, film, TV, dance, theatre or the concert hall, Eunike Tanzil is using her original voice and gift for storytelling not only to conjure new worlds for listeners, but also to inspire other young people to explore their own creativity.
