DeLange’s biography
DeLange (1972) is a Dutch neo-romantic composer and pianist. He experiences music in colors and shapes (a condition called chromesthesia, or sound-to-color synesthesia). “For me, it has always been natural to picture sounds in my mind, but now I could take advantage of it and compose music as a painter works on a painting: with shapes and colours playing the leading part.”
This year, DeLange’s composition ‘Tristesse’ entered the Classical Top 400 on Dutch national radio as third highest new entry.
Born and raised in a musical family, Frank DeLange soon grew familiar with the sound of the great piano composers from the romantic and early modern era. All through his childhood his parents endlessly played recordings of the works of Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Satie and Debussy and thus introduced young Frank to the world of Romanticism. DeLange completed his classical training at the conservatory and started working as a pianist writing for and accompanying other artists. The urge to capture his emotions of a life that had always been full and intense led him to work on a repertoire of his own. He had to turn 46 before he felt his evolution as a pianist, composer and as a human being was at its crowning point and he started writing, producing and recording his first album “Images”.
DeLange released his debut album in September 2020. He has garnered more than 30 million streams worldwide so far. His first tour where he visited renowned concert venues throughout The Netherlands was completely sold out. DeLange writes in his own distinctive style, best described as neo-romantic.
DeLange’s work is heavily melodic, somewhat mantric and mainly to be played with ‘feather touch’ -an expression he likes to use as it best describes the dynamics of his work.
Piano & horns
Most recently, DeLange embarked on a new journey. Experimenting with new sounds and refraining from adding electronics, he recorded new compositions for piano accompanied by a horn quartet. His latest release is called ‘Boy of the Sea’. This new palette finds support on Dutch national radio where programs such as NPO Klassiek – Voor de Dag and Radio 1 – Vroege Vogels are playing DeLange’s music.
Contemplations ~ Opus I & II
For his second album ‘Contemplations ~ Opus I & II’, he chose his long lost upright piano as a perfect companion to compose his new pieces on. DeLange about ‘Contemplations ~ Opus I’: “We all need time to ponder on our lives, but rarely take the time to contemplate. I decided to secure my own pondering time and keep a diary in the form of musical phrases that reflect the emotions of that day. Recorded at night in my living room at my upright piano. Each night a small time-space oasis to escape the immediate surroundings reflect and to on past events.” Using vintage microphones he got from his dad – also a musician, he captured the warm and characteristic sound of the piano. As a listener, you feel like you’re in the room with the composer. Up close and personal.
For all covers of the different compositions, DeLange made a series of abstract photo art to capture the colors, forms and shapes he envisioned while composing that particular piece.
Miniatures
In the impressive space of The Royal Concert Hall Amsterdam, DeLange set up a studio where he recorded 5 new compositions that are inspired by the acoustics of this world-renowned building. The result is a collection of short stories without words DeLange calls ‘Miniatures’. He played the pieces on an upright piano with the celeste pedal held down, resulting in an up-close -almost tangible- sound of the instrument.
Press
“From the late 1800’s we’re graced by the nimble fingers of Van Gogh. And I predict the next gracing of nimble fingers will come from todays – in the form of a Dutch painter of sound, if you will, a neo-romantic pianist named Frank DeLange.” – Glasse Factory
“These melodies express artistry at the highest level.” – LeFuturewave.
“The hypnotic patterns mix with elements of classic romanticism to form a composition that is endearing and lovely.” – Staccatofy.
“We discovered DeLange relatively recently, but he’s quickly become one of the composers who commands my attention with each new piece.” – Ear To The Ground Music
Tour 2024
February 10 – Leeuwarden (NL)
February 15 – Utrecht (NL)
February 24 – Groningen (NL)
February 29 – Eindhoven (NL)
March 3 – Rotterdam (NL)
June 13 – Scheveningen (NL)
September 25 – Alkmaar (NL)
October 4 – Breda (NL)
October 6 – Amersfoort (NL)
October 19 – Heerlen (NL)
October 20 – Oss (NL)
Contact: info@delangepiano.com
Facts & Figures
Spotify followers: 29k
Stream count main DSP's: 30 million worldwide Instagram followers: 23k YouTube subscribers: 8k