Hauschka
Encyclopedia
Hauschka is the alias
of Düsseldorf
-based pianist
and composer
Volker Bertelmann.
- a playfully disruptive intervention into the preconceived idea of the piano
as a pure-toned, perfected instrument.
Bertelmann explores and influences the outcome of his music by modifying parts of the instrument, attaching various objects to the strings
to create a sound described as "a delicate, sometimes haunting form of experimental piano music".
Hauschka's sound borrows as much from John Cage
's same-titled prepared piano works and the historic predecessors of Les Six
– namely Erik Satie
.
In 2007 his first full album for FatCat Room to Expand was released to critical praise.
In November 2008, Hauschka toured the East Coast of the United States with Icelandic band, múm
, selling all of his merchandise in one day for the first time.
In 2009 Hauschka did his Ferndorf Tour in Japan playing 10 concerts in total 8 different cities.
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
of Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf is the capital city of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and centre of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region.Düsseldorf is an important international business and financial centre and renowned for its fashion and trade fairs. Located centrally within the European Megalopolis, the...
-based pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
Volker Bertelmann.
Background
Bertelmann's work is based upon an exploration of the possibilities of the prepared pianoPrepared piano
A prepared piano is a piano that has had its sound altered by placing objects between or on the strings or on the hammers or dampers....
- a playfully disruptive intervention into the preconceived idea of the piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
as a pure-toned, perfected instrument.
Bertelmann explores and influences the outcome of his music by modifying parts of the instrument, attaching various objects to the strings
Strings (music)
A string is the vibrating element that produces sound in string instruments, such as the guitar, harp, piano, and members of the violin family. Strings are lengths of a flexible material kept under tension so that they may vibrate freely, but controllably. Strings may be "plain"...
to create a sound described as "a delicate, sometimes haunting form of experimental piano music".
Hauschka's sound borrows as much from John Cage
John Cage
John Milton Cage Jr. was an American composer, music theorist, writer, philosopher and artist. A pioneer of indeterminacy in music, electroacoustic music, and non-standard use of musical instruments, Cage was one of the leading figures of the post-war avant-garde...
's same-titled prepared piano works and the historic predecessors of Les Six
Les Six
Les six is a name, inspired by The Five, given in 1920 by critic Henri Collet in an article titled "" to a group of six composers working in Montparnasse whose music is often seen as a reaction against the musical style of Richard Wagner and impressionist music.-Members:Formally, the Groupe des...
– namely Erik Satie
Erik Satie
Éric Alfred Leslie Satie was a French composer and pianist. Satie was a colourful figure in the early 20th century Parisian avant-garde...
.
In 2007 his first full album for FatCat Room to Expand was released to critical praise.
Tours
When preparing for performances on stage, it would take Bertelmann two hours to set up his instruments, but he has since brought the preparation time down to 10 minutes due to constraints of the venues at which he has performed.In November 2008, Hauschka toured the East Coast of the United States with Icelandic band, múm
Múm
múm are an experimental Icelandic musical group whose music is characterized by soft vocals, electronic glitch beats and effects, and a variety of traditional and unconventional instruments.- History :...
, selling all of his merchandise in one day for the first time.
In 2009 Hauschka did his Ferndorf Tour in Japan playing 10 concerts in total 8 different cities.
Albums
- Substantial (2004)
- The prepared piano (2005)
- Room to Expand (2007)
- Versions of the Prepared Piano (2007)
- FerndorfFerndorf (Hauschka album)Ferndorf is the fourth studio album by avant-garde musician Hauschka, released on October 7, 2008. The album features more electronic and instrumental overdubs than previous efforts, while still retaining the prepared piano sound Hauschka is usually associated with...
(2008) - Snowflakes and Carwrecks (2008)
- Small Pieces (2009)
- Foreign Landscapes (2010)
- Salon Des Amateurs (2011)
External links
- www.hauschka-net.de
- MySpace: Hauschka
- Last.fm: Hauschka
- FatCat: Hauschka
- 2010 NPR interview with Hauschka
- Interview with Hauschka on Headphone Commute (Jan, 2010)