March 23, 2015
New album featuring K-State's Pinkall tops Billboard charts
Submitted by Communications and Marketing
A new album celebrating Rachmaninoff and featuring Kansas State University's Bryan Pinkall, assistant professor of music, is topping the music charts around the world.
Released March 10, Rachmaninoff's "All-Night Vigil" has reached No. 1 on iTunes, Amazon and just debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Classical Albums and Traditional Classical music charts.
"All-Night Vigil" features conductor Charles Bruffy, his two Grammy Award-winning professional choirs, the Kansas City Chorale — of which Pinkall is a member — and the Phoenix Chorale, and several soloists, including Pinkall.
"Recording this piece was a very emotional experience for me," Pinkall said. "I am honored that so many people from around the world are also finding meaning and joy from this music, but to top the Billboard Charts, I can't believe it."
"All Night Vigil" was released by Chandos on the 100th anniversary of the first performance of Rachmaninoff's masterpiece and was only the second classical music album ever selected for iTunes Radio First Play. It is available for purchase online.
The album follows Pinkall's success as artistic director of the production of the 2014 Olympic Opening Ceremony, which won an Emmy.
"The beautiful thing about this album for me is that whether you are a classical music fan or not, you will know that we are singing from our hearts," Pinkall said. "I'm very thankful to Chandos, Naxos, iTunes and everyone who made this possible so we could share it with the world."