HOLD THESE TRUTHS

LARA DOWNES & FRIENDS

Billboard Chart-topping pianist and cultural visionary Lara Downes presents HOLD THESE TRUTHS, a poignant and probing collection that marks America’s 250th anniversary by celebrating the power of music to express the core essence of our founding promise.

With this latest release in her acclaimed series of recordings exploring the vast terrain of the American musical landscape, Downes captures the soundtrack of our history - the music that has brought light in our darkness and comfort in our times of sorrow, our anthems of revolution and resistance, and the songs that bring persistent hope, in every era, for the promise of brighter days to come.

From old traditional songs that pre-date the nation’s founding to new works that define the sound of the American future, this music traces our roots and our journeys, connects us at our crossroads and centers us on common ground, offering a clear and open-hearted reminder that we the people are the holders of our truth, the stewards of our past, builders of our present, and designers of our future.

Coming on the Pentatone label, July 3, 2026

THE MUSIC

Edmar Colón - Welcome

Shawn Okpebholo -Wondrous Free

Oscar Peterson - Hymn to Freedom

Elie Siegmeister - Lusty and Joyful (from American Sonata)

H.T. Burleigh - On Bended Knee 

H.T. Burleigh - The Frolic

Charles Ives - In the Mornin’  

Daniel Gilliam - Jubilee

Traditional - In the Sweet By and By

Caleb Burhans - In Time of Desperation 

Stephen Foster - Hard Times Come Again No More

Christopher Tin - Hope is the Thing with Feathers

Carlos Simon - Hold Fast To Dreams

Leonard Bernstein (arr. Bill Evans) - Lucky To Be Me

Jeff Beal - Elation

Howard Hanson - Joy

Ricky Ian Gordon - Finding Home

Traditional/Aaron Copland - Simple Gifts