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Musicus Concentus
HAUSCHKA + SAMULI KOSMINEN
Hauschka (Volker Bertelmann), prepared piano
Samuli Kosminen, drum
in collaboration with Musicus Concentus
Hauschka is the alias of Düsseldorf-based pianist and composer Volker Bertelmann.
Having studied classical piano for ten years, his work is based upon an exploration of the possibilities of the 'prepared' piano. Creatively undermining the preconceived idea of the piano as a pure-toned, perfected instrument waiting for a gifted virtuoso to play on it, Hauschka instead modifies it by placing an assortment of material (gaffa tape, kitchen foil, felt wedges, bottle tops, ping pong balls, guitar string, etc) within its innards. What results are vivid, unconventional pieces made in a spirit of playful research-enthusiasm.
At Stazione Leopolda he plays together with Finnish drummer Samuli Kosminen, former member of Mum, one of the prominent band in today's electronic music scene.
Hauschka, after a couple of works for the German label Karaoke Kalk, released in 2007 Room to Expand on the prestigious English label Fat Cat, the same label of Sigur Ros.
The following cd, Ferndorft, published in 2008, is a far more expansive and fully-realized album, with many of the tracks also featuring a string duo, enabling an increased solidity. More dynamic, its staccato stabbing rhythms are rendered increasingly rousing and emotive with these additional strings.
Salon des Amateurs (2011) finds Hauschka focusing on rhythmic possibilities of his own prepared piano, as well as his first recorded collaborations with musicians like Calexico's Joe Burns, Grammy-winning violinist Hilary Hahn, and creative drummer Samuli Kosminen.
www.hauschka-net.de
[photo Berto Garcia]