Darlene Koldenhoven headshot
The GRAMMY® Award-winning artist’s newest solo piano release takes home prizes in classical crossover, easy listening, and spoken-word categories
LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES, September 17, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Darlene Koldenhoven’s newest work, A Grand Memoir, has quickly become one of the artist’s most celebrated efforts, securing awards and accolades from music organizations both domestically and abroad.
In the latest round of honors, Koldenhoven took home five trophies at the 2026 Indie Music Channel Awards on September 6, including Best Easy Listening Songwriter for “Jacaranda Joy” and Best Easy Listening Female Artist for “Le Petit Carrousel” from the record. This recognition underscores the wide-ranging scope of A Grand Memoir, which goes beyond Koldenhoven’s original piano compositions and performances to include the audiobook edition of her book, Put Your Dress Down and Sing – A Memoir, where the piano pieces serve as the score: Best Spoken Word Producer, Best Spoken Word Artist, and Best Spoken Word Recording, forging a distinctive link between the album and the memoir that goes beyond its initial inspiration.
These latest wins add to an already substantial list of honors for the project. Additional awards and acknowledgments for A Grand Memoir include:
• Best Classical Crossover Album from LIT Music Awards, London.
• Best of Pangea — Classical Crossover for “Impressions” from the Intercontinental Music Awards
• Best Classical Crossover Album from Clouzine International Music Awards
• Three European International Music Awards: Best Contemporary Classical Album – Gold, Best Classical Solo Piano Single – Gold, Best New Age Solo Piano Single – Silver
• Best Classical Crossover Album – Silver from the Global Music Awards
The album has additionally earned finalist and nomination slots from other music organizations, such as the Creativity Awards (winners pending), World Entertainment Awards (winners announced Feb. 6), Intercontinental Music Awards, Elite Music Awards, and two European International Music Awards, broadening its footprint within the independent music scene.
A Grand Memoir marks Koldenhoven’s third solo piano album and her fourteenth release on her TimeArt® Recordings label. The collection features ten original New Age–Classical Crossover tracks, including one improvisation, with pieces that range from tranquil and introspective to lively and inspiring.
The project draws its inspiration from Koldenhoven’s book, ebook, and audiobook, Put Your Dress Down and Sing: A Memoir. While composing the memoir, Koldenhoven started having dreams filled with music that later became the tracks on A Grand Memoir. She captured the album live on January 22, 2026, performing on a century-old Golden Era Steinway Model L Grand Piano that still has its original strings and ivory keys. The instrument was placed in Koldenhoven’s care by the family of its original owner, a concert pianist.
Critics have taken notice as well. Early reviews have commended Koldenhoven’s emotive piano playing, emotional resonance, and refined fusion of classical crossover and New Age elements, with critics highlighting the album’s ability to turn personal experiences into music.
Koldenhoven is a GRAMMY® Award winner with three GRAMMY® nominations and is recognized globally for her featured soprano solo in Yanni, Live at the Acropolis and for appearing as the tambourine-playing choir nun in both Sister Act films alongside Whoopi Goldberg’s choir nuns. Her earlier solo piano albums, The Grand Piano Spa and The Grand Piano Spa: Legacy, premiered at No. 4 and No. 8, respectively, on the Billboard Classical Crossover Charts in 2021. She also became the first inductee into the Indie Music Hall of Fame and has received numerous Lifetime Achievement, “Best,” and “Album of the Year” awards.
With recognition spanning classical crossover, easy listening, new age, and spoken word, A Grand Memoir showcases the range of Koldenhoven’s talents as a composer, pianist, vocalist, and spoken-word artist while continuing to introduce her music to fresh audiences.
A Grand Memoir is available on all major streaming services, and CDs along with sheet music can be purchased through Koldenhoven’s website.
To learn more about Darlene Koldenhoven, A Grand Memoir, her memoir, reviews, and upcoming performances, visit DarleneKoldenhoven.com and check the Upcoming Appearances page for the latest schedule.
Bruce Wawrzyniak
Now Hear This, Inc.
+1 813-854-8000
bruce@now-hear-this.net
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