Renowned electronic artist Armin van Buuren is proud to announce his first-ever acoustic album, Piano, arriving October 31 via Armada Music. In a unique partnership, Piano will be available exclusively on Apple Music and Apple Music Classical for one week before its wide release across all major streaming services on November 7.
The first track, ‘Sonic Samba‘ from the album, is out now on Apple Music and Apple Music Classical. The announcement was celebrated with a surprise in-store performance from Armin at Apple‘s Leidseplein store in Amsterdam, followed by a panel and playback at Dolby Atmos House, both held earlier today during Amsterdam Dance Event.
Far from being a departure from his electronic roots, Piano emphasizes the classical influences that have long shaped Armin‘s sound. His music is deeply rooted in a lifelong connection to classical tradition —nurtured by a piano-playing father and an early immersion in composers whose works instilled in him a lasting respect for melody, harmony, and structure.
What began as a decade-long pursuit to learn piano—initially intended to enrich his electronic work and support his mental well-being—evolved into a creative journey of its own.
Growing bored of playing existing scores, Armin began composing his own melodies, which later developed into fully realized pieces under the mentorship of classically trained composer Geronimo Snijtsheuvel.
Each composition on Piano is inspired by a feeling, emotion, moment, or person(s) deeply important to Armin, including his family — his wife, Erika, his father, his brother — as well as the natural world. The album translates these memories and emotions into piano-driven narratives. The first piece Armin composed for the project, ‘Fathers & Sons‘, set the tone for the album and inspired him to continue in a similar emotional vein.
Armin van Buuren says:
“Creating melodies behind the piano has always been the foundation of my music. Together with my teacher Geronimo, sketches grew into fifteen pure pieces, free from beats. This project shows another side of me: intimate, honest, direct.
My roots lie in a home filled with classical, rock, and electronic music, shaped by my father, brother, and artists like Vangelis and The Orb. After decades of trance and festivals, I longed for music without pressure — just fingers on keys. In 2025, I recorded everything in one take at ConcertLab. This album is my most personal work: from heart, to keys, to ears.”
Recorded and filmed at ConcertLab – the world’s first purpose-built filming studio dedicated to Fine Arts Music – in Utrecht in early 2025, and mixed in Dolby Atmos®, Piano was captured over seven days, with each performance recorded in a single take. The album features van Buuren playing the piano, both solo and with other musicians including a cellist and a chamber orchestra, notably the renowned violinist Lisa Jacobs.
The album’s lead single, ‘Sonic Samba‘, will be available across all major streaming services from October 31, offering a glimpse into the album’s offering ahead of the album’s wide release.
In addition to original compositions, Armin van Buuren revisits one of his all-time favorite trance classics, ‘Children‘ by Robert Miles, as a fresh piano interpolation that bridges his electronic roots with his classical sensibilities.
Piano will be available on Apple Music and Apple Music Classical exclusively from Friday, October 31 and released in Dolby Atmos®, and widely across all major streaming services from Friday, November 7.
Listen to the tracks below.
