My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Ocean's Kingdom – Paul McCartney 2011


Ocean's Kingdom Album Cover Art - Paul McCartney About the Album: Marking his first foray into the world of dance, Paul McCartney has announced the general release of Ocean's Kingdom, commissioned by the New York City Ballet. The recording will be released by Hear Music/Telarc and is conducted by John Wilson, produced by John Fraser and performed by The London Classical Orchestra.

Ocean's Kingdom is the first time Paul has written an original orchestral score or any kind of music for dance and is the result of a collaboration between Paul and Peter Martins, the Ballet Master in Chief of the New York City Ballet, who have worked together to present the world premiere of a new ballet for the company's 2011/2012 season this September.

Though the work is Paul's first ballet, he approached the project in the same way he writes all other music, driven by his heart rather than his head and inspired by feeling rather than specific technical knowledge. While this may have been another new turn for his staggeringly varied career to take, Paul knew it had to be influenced by his own personal experience and that he needed to create a story the audience would find equally compelling and moving.

Paul's first step was to visit the Royal Opera House to see Adolphe Adam's Giselle, danced by the Royal Ballet. Afterwards, Paul met the dancers and discussed the work with them, realising as he did so that he was still without a central theme to his work. Keen to tell a story through his music, Paul decided to focus on the purity of the ocean and within just two months, the first draft had been completed. He then went through the music again thinking specifically of the ballet itself, thereby creating a world featuring distinctive characters and a vibrant underworld kingdom. Finally Paul spent many more weeks working alongside Peter Martins to refine the work, before Peter created the choreography with the NYCB dancers.

An hour long score featuring four stunning movements - "Ocean's Kingdom," "Hall of Dance," "Imprisonment" and "Moonrise" - the ballet tells of a love story within the story of an underwater world whose people are threatened by the humans of Earth. A potently expressive and richly varied work, the score is Paul's most challenging and emotionally complex yet. As he explains: "What was interesting was writing music that meant something expressively rather than just writing a song. Trying to write something that expressed an emotion - so you have fear, love, anger, sadness to play with and I found that exciting and challenging."

The premiere of the ballet Ocean's Kingdom will take place at NYCB's Fall Gala on Thursday 22nd September 2011 while the release of the orchestral score will follow on October 4th, available digitally, on CD and on vinyl. It was recorded in June in London.

The artwork that accompanies the release is equally striking and inventive. Though it seems to suggest a city skyline, it is actually a digital readout of the notes from the ballet score.

Although this is his first orchestral score for dance, Paul is already quite at home in the world of classical music. His back catalogue already carries four classical albums, the most recent of which was the Classical BRIT Award winning Ecce Cor Meum (Behold My Heart); a work for chorus and orchestra in four movements that was released in 2006.

Label: Hear Music / MPL / Telarc



Related Articles
Listen: The Lumineers' Neyla Pekarek Releases THE QUEEN OF MAGIC EP
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 22, 2026

The new EP The Queen of Magic, the new musical written by Neyla Pekarek – the singer/songwriter formerly of The Lumineers – is out now.

Listen: PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK: THE MUSICAL Recording Out Now
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 22, 2026

Picnic at Hanging Rock: The Musical – Original Off-Broadway Cast Recording is now available in digital and streaming formats.

'Busted Broadway' Launches Record Label for Unhinged Musical Comedy Albums
by Josh Sharpe - May 21, 2026

Busted Broadway has launched an independent musical theatre record label positioned to release original dark-humor concept cast albums geared towards absurd, edgy, and intentionally outrageous musical theatre titles.

Sherri Shepherd Sets Debut Romance Novel LIFE IS A K DRAMA
by Josh Sharpe - May 21, 2026

Sherri Shepherd, who is wrapping a four-year run as host of the daytime talk show Sherri, is entering the world of publishing with her debut novel, Life is a K Drama.

Exclusive Listen: Reese Sebastian Diaz Sings 'My Path' From PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 21, 2026

Picnic at Hanging Rock: The Musical – Original Off-Broadway Cast Recording is being released in digital and streaming formats.

Listen: Henry Patterson Releases 'Broadway Maybe' Album of Musical Theater Covers
by Josh Sharpe - May 20, 2026

Award-winning performer Henry Patterson has released his debut studio album, Broadway Maybe, featuring new renditions of songs from the musical theater and Broadway canon.

The Farm Theater and Stage Partners to Launch Exclusive Publishing Partnership
by A.A. Cristi - May 19, 2026

The Farm Theater and Stage Partners announced an exclusive deal making College Collaboration Project plays available for productions worldwide, kicking off with works by Gina Femia and Lia Romeo.

Samantha Pauly, Savy Jackson and More to be Featured on CAESAR: THE MUSICAL Studio Cast EP
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 19, 2026

The studio cast EP Caesar: The Musical will be released in digital and streaming formats, featuring Samantha Pauly, Savy Jackson, and more.

Expand the Canon Will Release Classic Monologue Collection by Historic Women Playwrights
by Stephi Wild - May 19, 2026

Expand the Canon announced a debut monologue collection featuring 100+ classical pieces from plays by women between 1640 and 1987, spanning 34 playwrights across 15 countries, edited by Artistic Director Emily Lyon.

Exclusive: Billy Eichner Looks Back on Theater-Filled Childhood in New Audio Memoir
by Josh Sharpe - May 19, 2026

In his new audio memoir, Billy Eichner looks back on his childhood, filled with movies, music, and Broadway musicals.

MASQUERADE – THE ORCHESTRAL SCORE Vinyl Now Available
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 18, 2026

Masquerade – The Orchestral Score vinyl album has been released.

THE LOST BOYS Will Soon Release Broadway Cast Album
by Nicole Rosky - May 18, 2026

The Original Broadway Cast Recording of THE LOST BOYS will be available to pre-order Friday, May 29.

LES MISÉRABLES: The 40th Anniversary All-Star Cast Recording Set for Release
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 15, 2026

Les Miserables: The 40th Anniversary All-Star Cast, a double CD and digital recording featuring Killian Donnelly, Bradley Jaden, and Katie Hall, will be released, timed to coincide with the Arena Spectacular World Tour's final dates.

BEAU THE MUSICAL to Release Off-Broadway Cast Recording
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 13, 2026

Beau The Musical will release an Original Off-Broadway Cast Recording led by Drama Desk Award nominee Matt Rodin.

Liza Minnelli's Signed Memoir Copies May Be Fake, Buyers Claim
by Josh Sharpe - May 12, 2026

Some buyers who purchased copies of Liza Minnelli's recent memoir, 'Kids, Wait Till You Hear This!' are seeking refunds after determining that the premium signed copies may not be authentic.

Niki J. Borger Releases New One-Act Play Collection IN-BETWEEN
by A.A. Cristi - May 08, 2026

Playwright Niki J.

Listen: Neyla Pekarek of The Lumineers Releases Single 'Never Enough' With Mary-Kate Morrissey
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 08, 2026

Joy Machine Records will release the new EP The Queen of Magic, the new musical written by Neyla Pekarek – the singer/songwriter formerly of The Lumineers.

Beanie Feldstein Will Release Brand New Picture Book, TEENY AND TILLY
by Team BWW - May 21, 2026

From actress Beanie Feldstein comes a sweet and heartfelt new story about two best friends who treasure each other just as they are.

HAMILTON is Coming to Blu-Ray With Special Collector's Edition
by Stephi Wild - May 08, 2026

The filmed version of Hamilton will be released for the first time in 4K UHD Blu-ray this summer.

Listen: Josh Groban Releases New Album 'CINEMATIC'
by Stephi Wild - May 08, 2026

Josh Groban released CINEMATIC, a 10-track album of classic film songs via Reprise Records.

THE OFFICE: SUPERFAN EPISODES Coming to Blu-ray This Summer
by Josh Sharpe - May 06, 2026

NBC's hit sitcom The Office will bring home the extended 'Superfan' cuts of the series in a new box set, as first seen on the Peacock streaming service.

DENAMIS and Sasco Team Up for Poetry Album 'Depletion Halos'
by Josh Sharpe - May 04, 2026

Electronic hip hop producer and composer Sascois is collaborating with poet DENAMIS (aka Dena Igusti) on an upcoming documentary poetry album titled 'Depletion Halos.

OLIVER! Star Shani Wallis Releases Retrospective Collection of Early Recordings
by Josh Sharpe - May 01, 2026

A new collection of recordings is now available from Shani Wallis, who starred as Nancy in the 1968 film adaptation of Oliver! The new release is the first retrospective CD spotlighting the early recordings of the performer.

Exclusive: Listen to 'Skyfall' from Josh Groban's New CINEMATIC Album
by Nicole Rosky - May 01, 2026

Josh Groban will soon release a new album, Cinematic.

PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK Cast Recording Set for Release on Streaming
by A.A. Cristi - April 30, 2026

Center Stage Records announced the release of the PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK: THE MUSICAL original Off-Broadway cast recording, featuring music by Greta Gertler Gold and lyrics by Hilary Bell, with a UK premiere planned for 2027.

Listen: Melissa Errico & Travis Moser Release Judy Collins Live Album
by Chloe Rabinowitz - April 27, 2026

Tony Award-nominee Melissa Errico and cabaret artist Travis Moser released 'Someday Soon: The Songs of Judy Collins Live at The Green Room 42,' recorded live following a City Winery tour.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC Tiny Vinyl Now Exclusively Available at Target
by Chloe Rabinowitz - April 24, 2026

The Sound of Music Tiny Vinyl is now available for purchase exclusively at Target.

Countertenor John Holiday To Release Debut Album 'Over My Head' on PENTATONE
by A.A. Cristi - April 23, 2026

Countertenor John Holiday announced his debut album, Over My Head, on PENTATONE, blending spirituals, art song, and world premiere recordings by Theo Morrison and Carlos Simon, with pianist Kevin Miller.

Betty Buckley Will Release 'Enough' Single, From Sara Bareilles' THE INTERESTINGS Musical
by Nicole Rosky - April 24, 2026

Tony Award–winning stage and screen icon Betty Buckley releases her  new single, “Enough,” written by GRAMMY® Award-winning singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles.



Back to Upcoming Releases...

Videos


TICKET CENTRAL
Hot Show
Tickets From $58
Hot Show
Tickets From $69
Hot Show
Tickets From $59
Hot Show
Tickets From $101