Julius Asal

Julius Friedrich Asal (born 12 February 1997) is a German classical pianist. He signed an exclusive recording contract with Deutsche Grammophon in 2023 and was named a BBC New Generation Artist for 2024–26.

He studied at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin with Eldar Nebolsin and at the Kronberg Academy with András Schiff from 2021 to 2024. His debut album featuring works by Prokofiev was released in 2022, followed by his Deutsche Grammophon debut pairing Scriabin and Scarlatti in 2024. In 2025, Deutsche Grammophon released his second album for the label, Siena Tapes, which combines piano works by Maurice Ravel with original pieces by Asal; it was recorded in 2024 in a chapel on the estate of American record producer Rick Rubin in Tuscany near Siena. His recordings and concert programs feature unexpected pairings between composers, while improvisation remains central to his artistic practice.

In 2025, Asal was awarded the Terence Judd-Hallé Award and became the inaugural Academy of St Martin in the Fields BBC New Generation Associate. He has performed at venues including Wigmore Hall, the Vienna Musikverein, and the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg.

Early life and education

Asal was born on 12 February 1997 in Bad Homburg vor der Höhe, Germany, and grew up in Oberursel in the Taunus mountains near Frankfurt. He grew up in a musical family. His mother is a pianist and his father was solo clarinetist at Frankfurt Opera. He is the grandson of German-British Schlager singer . Asal began improvising at the piano at age three, before formal instruction, teaching himself by ear. He was a junior student (Jungstudent) at the Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Frankfurt from 2013 with Oliver Kern. The album was named "Album of the Week" by rbbKultur and Klassik Heute, and "Album of the Month" by Stereoplay magazine in July 2022.

In October 2023, Asal signed an exclusive recording contract with Deutsche Grammophon. His debut album for the label, Scriabin · Scarlatti, was released in May 2024. The album pairs Scriabin's Piano Sonata No. 1 in F minor with selected preludes and études alongside six keyboard sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti, connected by Asal's own improvisational transitions.

BBC New Generation Artist (2024–2026)

As a BBC New Generation Artist (2024–2026), in March 2025 Asal became the inaugural Academy of St Martin in the Fields BBC New Generation Associate.

On 3 March 2025, Asal was awarded the Terence Judd-Hallé Award, announced on the 25th anniversary of the BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists Scheme.

Le Monde praised the "enchanting uniqueness" of his interpretations and his approach to creating "secret and subtle alliances" in program selection. The Telegraph included Asal among "The 10 most exciting young musicians in the world," noting "there's a fierceness in him which belies the elfin blonde looks." Pianist Menahem Pressler stated that "Julius Asal's piano playing immediately left me in awe. The instrument seemed to whisper a secret to him," describing Asal as having a "uniquely beautiful sound and special sonority."

Awards and honors

Major international recognition: 2015: Steinway Prize 2017: Young Concert Artists European Auditions – First Prize 2018: International Johannes Brahms Competition – Second Prize (with Arcon Trio) 2019: Palma d'Oro International Piano Competition – Silver Medal 2022: Melómano de Oro (for Prokofiev: Piano Works) 2022: Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik nomination (for Prokofiev: Piano Works) 2024: Classic FM Rising Star (30 under 30) 2024–26: BBC New Generation Artist 2025: Academy of St Martin in the Fields BBC New Generation Associate (inaugural recipient) 2025: Terence Judd-Hallé Award