Pianist and conductor David Greilsammer has signed an exclusive long-term recording agreement with Sony Classical. His first disc, due for release in early 2012, will feature a selection of Baroque and contemporary works for solo piano.

Since his concert debut at New York’s Lincoln Center in 2004, the Israeli-born musician has been keen to transcend traditional classical barriers. His concert programmes frequently combine Renaissance and early Baroque works with the contemporary and Avant-Garde. In 2009 he became music director of the Geneva Chamber Orchestra and their forthcoming two-year residency at Paris’s La Gaité Lyrique will reflect his interest in creating innovative projects with a series of dance, theatre and music events.

Greilsammer is also artistic director of the Suedama Ensemble in New York. In 2008 he recorded Mozart’s early piano concertos with the group for Naïve, earning praise from Gramophone’s Nalen Anthoni for his “meticulously observed” phrasing, “infectiously light-handed spiritedness” and “rhythmically precise” playing and direction (11/08). “fantaisie_fantasme”, his 2008 solo piano album also recorded for Naïve, was similarly commended by Gramophone’s Philip Clark for its fine performances, although he thought the mix of different styles was less successful (12/07).

“This collaboration with Sony is an extraordinary opportunity for me to explore new worlds, new visions, new ideas, new challenges,” said Greilsammer. “The world is changing and it is our responsibility as artists to change with it and take risks.”

Sony Classical president Bogdan Roscic added, “David is a deeply serious artist with a unique approach to music – on stage and in the studio. He has a keen understanding of how the context for classical music has changed and he is not shy to draw his own conclusions about what that means for the way it is presented and heard. I look forward to ruffling some more feathers while putting out the outstanding recordings he is capable of.”