RZA is venturing into new creative territory with his orchestral album “A Ballet Through Mud,” set to release on August 30 via Platoon and 36 Chambers. The title track, which shares its name with the album, was originally performed by the Colorado Symphony last year.
In anticipation of the album’s release, RZA has released a trailer offering a glimpse into the project’s creation. “I have been composing my whole life, although I didn’t know initially that was what I was doing,” RZA explains. “The inspiration for ‘A Ballet Through Mud’ traces back to my earliest creative efforts as a teenager. Its themes of love, exploration, and adventure are universal, and I hope listeners use it to enrich their own experiences, transforming everyday moments into something extraordinary.”
The concept for the project emerged during the pandemic when RZA rediscovered old notebooks from his youth. The completed work, featuring a blend of spoken word and orchestration, premiered as a ballet in 2023 at Boettcher Concert Hall in Denver, conducted by Christopher Dragon. RZA joined the orchestra for the performance, which narrates his journey from Staten Island to the concert stage, with characters inspired by Greek musical scales.
