Paddington Trio to Release Freakshow Album in 2027
The chamber ensemble debuts on the PENTATONE label with a collection of works by Shostakovich and Sam Perkin.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Classical
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The Paddington Trio will release their debut album, Freakshow, on 22 January 2027. The recording features both of Dmitri Shostakovich's piano trios alongside a new work by contemporary composer Sam Perkin.
Why it matters
The album serves to connect classical compositions with contemporary narratives by exploring the stories of individuals historically marginalized as freaks. By pairing these eras, the group aims to create a dialogue centered on themes of human experience and historical upheaval.
The album includes seven musical miniatures written by Sam Perkin in 2016 and both of Dmitri Shostakovich's piano trios from 1923 and 1944. This project serves as the inaugural recording partnership between the Paddington Trio and the PENTATONE label.
The players
Paddington Trio
Formed in London, this ensemble consists of members Tuulia Hero, Patrick Moriarty, and Stephanie Tang.
Sam Perkin
An Irish composer born in 1985 whose work has been performed across 20 countries.
Dmitri Shostakovich
A prominent Soviet-era composer who lived from 1906 to 1975 and is known for his complex piano trios.
PENTATONE
A professional record label that has entered into a new recording relationship with the Paddington Trio.
The details
The album features the first-ever recording of Sam Perkin's Freakshow, a work composed in 2016 consisting of seven distinct musical miniatures. The ensemble, comprising Tuulia Hero, Patrick Moriarty, and Stephanie Tang, chose the Shostakovich compositions to provide thematic resonance regarding personal loss.
Timeline
The physical CD is scheduled for release in January 2027.
The digital version of the album arrives on 22 January 2027.
Industry Dynamics
This release extends the PENTATONE record label catalogue by integrating contemporary Irish works with established 20th-century Russian piano trio repertoire. It highlights the growing trend of modern chamber ensembles bridging the gap between historical canon and new experimental compositions.
Listeners can access the full album via digital platforms starting on 22 January 2027. Physical CD copies will also be available for purchase at that time through standard music retail channels.
The takeaway
This project illustrates how modern performers use the contrast between different eras to elevate lesser-known stories into the classical spotlight. Listeners interested in new music may find value in how these pieces treat historical trauma through modern musical miniatures.
Further reading
Explore more about new compositions and ensemble debuts in the Classical music section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Broadway World.
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