Lemonade, the sixth studio album released by Beyoncé, dropped April 23 and made quite a sweet splash, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard chart with 485,000 album sales and 115 million streams following its premiere on HBO.

In June 2015, some Los Angeles wind and brass musicians – including AFM Local 47 members Richard Lucchese (trombone) and Christopher Gray (trumpet) – recorded a couple of tracks for the album. The following March, a 33-piece AFM string orchestra recorded at Hensen Studios on March 14, and 16 string players recorded at Capitol Studios on March 29.

“My dear friend Jon Brion contacted me saying that he was arranging strings for what he called ‘a top secret, high profile project’ and asked me to orchestrate his arrangements and lead the string section as concertmaster,” says Eric Gorfain. “I always love working with Jon, but it was an extra added surprise when the project turned out to be Beyoncé’s new album.  Jon’s arrangements enhanced the songs and even pushed some boundaries, so writing the orchestrations was a joy and an honor. After a few all-nighters of working on the orchestrations, I assembled a string section of my trusted colleagues, who of course sounded fantastic. And to top it all off, toward the end of the session it made my day to look over and see a smile on the lovely Beyoncé’s face.”

The album encompasses genres including R&B, pop, hip hop, blues, rock, soul, funk, country, gospel, and trap. Streaming service Tidal described the Lemonade concept as “every woman’s journey of self-knowledge and healing.” It features guest vocals from James Blake, Kendrick Lamar, The Weeknd and Jack White. Experience the visual album Lemonade at beyonce.tidal.com.

“Lemonade” AFM Local 47 String Musicians

March 14, 2016 – 33 musicians @ Hensen Studios

Violin
Eric Gorfain, concertmaster
Daphne Chen, contractor
Marisa Kuney
Amy Wickman
Ina Veli
Charlie Bisharat
Josefina Vergara
Crystal Alforque
Gina Kronstadt
Mary Kathleen Sloan
Lisa Dondlinger
Neel Hammond
Radu Pieptea
Serena McKinney
Songa Lee
Susan Chatman
Yelena Yegoryan
Terence Glenny
Leah Katz
Sung Eun (Grace) Park
Alma Fernandez
Anna Bulbrook

Viola
Rodney Wirtz
Briana Bandy

Cello
Richard Dodd
John Krovoza
Ira Glansbeek
Vanessa Freebairn-Smith
Mary (Ginger) Murphy
Adrienne Woods

Contrabass
Denise Briese
Ryan Cross
Geoffrey Osika

Orchestrator
Eric Gorfain

Copyist
Christopher Anderson-Bazzoli

Conductor/Producer
Jon Brion (former member)

March 29, 2016 – 16 musicians @ Capitol Studios

Violin
Eric Gorfain, concertmaster
Marisa Kuney
Amy Wickman
Charlie Bisharat
Gina Kronstadt
Lisa Dondlinger
Radu Pieptea
Songa Lee
Terence Glenny
Yelena Yegoryan

Viola
Rodney Wirtz
Leah Katz
Jeanie Lim

Cello
Richard Dodd
Ira Glansbeek
John Krovoza

Orchestrator/Copyist
Eric Gorfain

Contractor
Richard Dodd

Conductor/Producer
Jon Brion (former member)