“It’s a beautifully played album, but more importantly, it’s a necessary musical reappraisal of America’s past and future appearing at just the right time.”
Billboard Chart-topping pianist and cultural visionary Lara Downes presents HOLD THESE TRUTHS, a 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.
This poignant and probing collection marks America’s 250th anniversary by celebrating the power of music to express the core essence of our founding promise. 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).
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.
Featuring INVOKE and the 9 HORSES Trio
Produced by Lara Downes and Silas Brown and recorded at Abeshouse Studios
Music by:
Jeff Beal, Leonard Bernstein, Caleb Burhans, H.T. Burleigh, Edmar Colón, Aaron Copland, Stephen Foster, Daniel Gilliam, Ricky Ian Gordon, Howard Hanson, Charles Ives, Willie Nelson, Shawn Okpebholo, Oscar Peterson, Elie Siegmeister, Carlos Simon and Christopher Tin
“A collection of pieces that evoke pathos as well as patriotism...syncopated sniping melts into a tremulous peace - an optimistic emblem for the U.S. itself”
“This wide scope of compassion and connection shows the range and depth of Downes’ inquisitive nature and musical talent.”
“Thoroughly enchanting... Downes’ piano traverses genres of music as tasty as salty potato chips & dark chocolate.”