Get ready to be captivated by the enchanting melodies of Alexis Ffrench, an extraordinary composer, pianist, and producer. With an impressive track record of over half a billion streams, Ffrench released “Peace” and was one of the performers at His Majesty’s Coronation Concert. Listeners will be able to see Alexis live this Christmas for a special UK and European tour.
CCM: What inspired you to create an EP with a focus on the natural world and its beauty?
Alexis Ffrench: I’ve always been drawn to the beauty of the natural world as a way of getting closer to my core and the peace I derive from being closer to nature brings me clarity and a feeling of being present.
CCM: How did your personal experiences exploring the Scottish Highlands with your youngest son Jobim inspire the compositions in this EP?
Alexis Ffrench: The experience of exploring the Scottish Highlands was awe inspiring and I found the vastness and wonder of the landscape a truly spiritual experience. It was deeply affecting and I accessed the memory of these personal experiences in writing Peace.
CCM: Can you tell us more about your classical-soul style and how it is showcased in this EP?
Alexis Ffrench: It’s a style derived from my journey improvising on Chopin Etudes and Bach Prelude and Fugues, aged 5, in between listening to and improvising on Motown classics. My musical world was borderless and my classical-soul sound of today is imbued by the truth of my story.
CCM: What do you hope listeners take away from your new EP, “Peace,” both musically and thematically?
Alexis Ffrench: I hope they take away the gift of time – time to decompress, reset, and bathe in the comfort of a ‘peace within’- in tune with the stillness of their heartbeat.
CCM: You were invited to perform at King Charles III’s Coronation Concert. How do you feel about this honor?
Alexis Ffrench: I felt tremendously honoured, privileged and humbled to be asked.
CCM: The EP includes original compositions as well as arrangements of classical pieces by Bach. How did you choose which pieces to include, and what was your approach to arranging them?
Alexis Ffrench: It’s a very personal approach. Pieces I am moved by, both over time, and in the moment.
CCM: You’ve had over half a billion streams to your name. How does it feel to have such a large and diverse audience, and how does this influence your music-making process?
Alexis Ffrench: When making music I firstly excavate my ideas to distill, subtract and find meaning and resonance and then, when I feel there is truth of message, I continue. Commercial considerations of writing for many don’t really come into it. I write, play and record for people as individuals – one voice connecting with one heart.
CCM: With the EP’s focus on the importance of protecting the planet for future generations, do you have any specific environmental causes or initiatives that you support?
Alexis Ffrench: We all have a duty to make sustainability a thread that runs through every aspect of our lives to truly make a difference for the future.
CCM: What’s next for Alexis Ffrench, both in terms of upcoming projects and personal artistic growth?
Alexis Ffrench: Some big announcements coming. As ever, I’m juggling multiple projects but looking forward to meeting people where they are: whether that be through my records, in concert, through film/tv music or record production or, indeed, through my educational work as Artistic Director of the ABRSM.
Stream “Peace” Now on Spotify!
