Released in 1995

A Leaf

Written by Paul McCartney

Last updated on March 30, 2025

Album This song officially appears on the A Leaf CD Single.

Timeline This song was officially released in 1995

Related session

This song was recorded during the following studio sessions:

"A Leaf" / "Spiral" session
Nov 09, 1988

Related interview

"Standing" in the Shadow of Love
Sep 27, 1997 • From Billboard

From Wikipedia:

“A Leaf” is a classical piece written by Paul McCartney, with assistance from John Fraser, and performed by Anya Alexeyev on piano. The piece is split into 7 parts. The piece was recorded live in front of Prince Charles as part of the “An Evening with Paul McCartney & Friends” concert on 23 March 1995 at Royal College of Music, while it was debuted on US radio as part of a radio special, titled Classical McCartney.

An attempted orchestrated version was recorded on 23 July 1996, at AIR Studios, in London. An extended version, performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, appears on McCartney’s 1999 album, Working Classical.

Tracklisting

“Andante Semplice” – 1:12

“Poco Piu Mosso” – 1:19

“Allegro Ritmico” – 1:51

“Andante” – 2:04

“Allegro Ma Non Tanto” – 1:15

“Moderato” – 1:18

“Adante Semplice (II)” – 0:54

Officially appears on

A Leaf
CD Single • Released in 1995
9:56 • Live • A
John Kurlander : Recording engineer Matthew Cocker : Tape editor John Fraser : Producer Anya Alexeyev : Piano
Concert From "An Evening With Paul McCartney & Friends - Royal College Of Music Benefit" in London, United Kingdom on Mar 23, 1995
Working Classical
Official album • Released in 1999
11:08 • Classical version • B
Paul McCartney : Executive producer Eddie Klein : Recording engineerPerformed by : London Symphony Orchestra Keith Smith : Recording engineer Steve Rooke : Mastering John Fraser : Arranger, Producer Lawrence Foster : Conductor Jonathan Tunick : Orchestration Arne Akselberg : Balance engineer Paul Baily : Editor Caroline Haigh : Editor
Session Recording: February 21-25th, 1999 • Studio EMI Studios, Abbey Road

Bootlegs

MoMac's Hidden Tracks Vol.24
Unofficial album
2:08 • Soundcheck
Concert From the concert in Tokyo, Japan on Nov 12, 1993
A Royal Performance
Unofficial live • Released in 1995
10:38 • Live • A
John Kurlander : Recording engineer Matthew Cocker : Tape editor John Fraser : Producer Anya Alexeyev : Piano
Concert From "An Evening With Paul McCartney & Friends - Royal College Of Music Benefit" in London, United Kingdom on Mar 23, 1995

Live performances

“A Leaf” has been played in 5 concerts and 3 soundchecks.

Year	Soundchecks	Concerts
1960	0	0
1961	0	0
1962	0	0
1963	0	0
1964	0	0
1965	0	0
1966	0	0
1967	0	0
1968	0	0
1969	0	0
1970	0	0
1971	0	0
1972	0	0
1973	0	0
1974	0	0
1975	0	0
1976	0	0
1977	0	0
1978	0	0
1979	0	0
1980	0	0
1981	0	0
1982	0	0
1983	0	0
1984	0	0
1985	0	0
1986	0	0
1987	0	0
1988	0	0
1989	0	0
1990	0	0
1991	0	0
1992	0	0
1993	1	0
1994	0	0
1995	0	1
1996	0	0
1997	0	2
1998	0	0
1999	0	0
2000	0	0
2001	0	0
2002	0	0
2003	0	0
2004	0	0
2005	0	0
2006	0	0
2007	0	0
2008	0	0
2009	0	0
2010	2	1
2011	0	0
2012	0	1
2013	0	0
2014	0	0
2015	0	0
2016	0	0
2017	0	0
2018	0	0
2019	0	0
2020	0	0
2021	0	0
2022	0	0
2023	0	0
2024	0	0
2025	0	0

Latest concerts where “A Leaf” has been played

"Heart Strings" Benefit Concert
Sep 07, 2012 • USA • Pittsburgh • Heinz Hall
Washington • Library Of Congress • USA
Jun 01, 2010 • USA • Washington • Library Of Congress
"Standing Stone" US Premiere
Nov 19, 1997 • Part of Standing Stone
"Standing Stone" world premiere
Oct 14, 1997 • Part of Standing Stone
An Evening With Paul McCartney & Friends - Royal College Of Music Benefit
Mar 23, 1995 • United Kingdom • London • St. James' Palace

Going further

Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 2) 1990-2012

This new book by Luca Perasi traces Paul McCartney's post-Beatles output from 1990 to 2012 in the form of 250 song entries, filled with details about the recordings, stories behind the sessions and musical analysis. His pop albums, his forays into classical and avant-garde music, his penchant for covering old standards: a complete book to discover how these languages cross-pollinate and influence each other.

The second volume in a series that has established itself as a unique guide to take the reader on a journey into the astonishing creativity of Paul McCartney.

Read our exclusive interview with Luca Perasi

Buy on Amazon

Talk more talk, chat more chat

Notice any inaccuracies on this page? Have additional insights or ideas for new content? Or just want to share your thoughts? We value your feedback! Please use the form below to get in touch with us.

Jean-Jacques Massé • 10 years ago

FIrst time on your site : it looks fabulous and extremely well documented.

While browsing, I find the "A Leaf" notice.

For me, the original version is the official single with the Alexeyev piano version : it's EMI, McCartney is written on it. It precedes the orchestral one & should be the reference (or at least be added).

Anyway, your job is incredible, I'll sure fall into it thoroughly some time.

As for me, I'm trying to collect and classify ALL covers of Beatle & solo tracks ever done.

From time to time...

See you soon.

Regards

Jean-Jacques

Down in France

admin • 10 years ago

Hi Jean-Jacques,

Many thanks for the kind words ; and for the detail on "A Leaf". I didn't know about this piano version, and will add it.

Nicolas

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