Multi-Grammy and Oscar Award winner Jon Batiste today released “5th Symphony in Congo Square,” the second single from his highly anticipated forthcoming studio album, Beethoven Blues (Batiste Piano Series, Vol. 1), due November 15 via Verve Records / Interscope. Following the release of the album’s lead single “Für Elise-Batiste,” the new track continues to showcase Batiste’s unique approach to blending Beethoven’s classical compositions with the indomitable spirit of the blues. Stream/download “5th Symphony in Congo Square” HERE. Watch the music video HERE.
Beethoven Blues is available for pre-order on CD, standard black LP, and a webstore-exclusive translucent black ice LP, with limited signed editions available exclusively from Batiste’s webstore. Pre-save Beethoven Blues HERE.
As with the other tracks on the album, “5th Symphony in Congo Square” offers an expansive reimagining of Beethoven’s work, creating a fusion of classical and contemporary styles that embodies Batiste’s “message of open-armed inclusivity” (New York Times). The piece is part of a broader musical journey that honors Beethoven’s artistry while also drawing inspiration from Batiste’s own classical roots and the rich musical heritage of Congo Square, a historic meeting place of African, Caribbean, and European music traditions in New Orleans.
The release of “5th Symphony in Congo Square” follows the overwhelming response to Batiste’s reinterpretation of Beethoven’s Bagatelle No. 25 in “Für Elise-Batiste,” first demonstrated during a 2023 interview with CNN’s Chris Wallace, which has since garnered more than 20 million views. The profound response from fans laid the groundwork for Beethoven Blues, Batiste’s first full-length exploration of the intersection between classical and blues music.
Batiste has been variously described as “a certified musical genius” (The Guardian), “a protean pianist and megawatt personality” (Variety), and “a once-in-a-generation talent, with a passion for … connecting people through a shared love of music-making” (Classic FM). Born into a long line of Louisiana musicians, he trained as a classical pianist and received both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in piano from New York’s Juilliard School. He now works with students and faculty as an inaugural Juilliard Creative Associate, as well as serving on the Juilliard board. Additionally, Batiste is on the Board of Trustees at Carnegie Hall as an Artist Trustee.
He returned to his classical roots in the 2021-22 season, when he curated a multi-concert “Perspectives” series at New York’s Carnegie Hall. This was crowned by the world premiere of his American Symphony (2022), a Carnegie Hall commission, on the venue’s main stage. Classical Sourcewelcomed this large-scale orchestral work as “a joyous and beefy blend of orchestral sounds, funk, Dixieland, Latin, gospel, country, cool jazz, swing, hip-hop, R&B, as well as other styles and genres.”
Chronicling Batiste’s life during his composition of the work, a critically acclaimed documentary of the same name – American Symphony (2023) – was released by Netflix in partnership with Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground Productions. Batiste, in collaboration with Grammy® Award winning artist Dan Wilson, wrote and produced the song “It Never Went Away,” from the film, which earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song the year it was released.
Beethoven Blues follows the success of Batiste’s two most recent studio albums, both of which showcase the breadth and scope of his musicianship. “A concept album that challenges music’s provincial genre borders” (New York Times), World Music Radio (2023) received four Grammy nominations, including one for “Album of the Year,” while the tracks “Worship” and “Butterfly” were nominated for “Record of the Year” and “Song of the Year” respectively. Similarly, We Are (2021) made Grammy history, receiving eleven Grammy nominations in seven different categories, and going on to win “Album of the Year” and four more. Other notable successes include the Disney/Pixar film Soul (2020); Batiste’s hands provided the model for the animation of its piano-playing protagonist, while his music for the film won him the 2021 Academy Award for Best Original Score, as well as Golden Globe, BAFTA, NAACP Image, and Critic’s Choice awards.
A master collaborator, Batiste has worked with artists ranging from pop and jazz icons Beyoncé, Prince, and Herbie Hancock to classical legends Andrea Bocelli, Hilary Hahn, Lang Lang, Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Daniel Bernard Romain, and Chris Thile. In early 2025, he makes his debut on the hit UK TV show The Piano, following Lang Lang as mentor in the BAFTA-nominated Channel 4 series’ third season, which continues the search to find the UK’s best amateur pianists.
Most recently, Batiste contributed the innovative score for Jason Reitman’s film SATURDAY NIGHT, in theaters now. Depicting the chaotic 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of Saturday Night Live in 1975, the film is underscored by Batiste’s musical masterpiece, which features a blend of jazz, classical, and contemporary elements. Batiste composed and produced the music live on the soundstage in front of the cast and crew, perfectly capturing the intensity and unpredictability of the show’s debut episode.
Beethoven Blues Track List:
Für Elise-BatisteY
Symphony No. 5 Stomp
Moonlight Sonata Blues
Dusklight Movement
Seventh Symphony Elegy
American Symphony Theme
Ode to Joyful
5th Symphony in Congo Square
Waldstein Wobble
Life of Ludwig
Für Elise-Reverie
