Hauschka
A customised piano sounds different to an ordinary one. An alien element is placed between piano strings to produce a special sound. John Cage introduced this technique in the 1940s. One of the most interesting performers of this technique today is the Dusseldorf based musician Volker Bertelmann, who has been releasing albums under the name Hauschka since 2004. Hauschka places marbles in the piano, sticks paper onto strings and hits the keys in an almost electronic rhythm. The transparency of this customised piano is an impressive part of his performance. But Hauschka’s sound universe has no limits: it connects experimental melodies with Classic music; on his recent album "Salon Des Amateur" he develops the percussive capabilities of his piano to a Minimal and House inspired sound. His pieces always hit the listener on two levels; although his music is on a highly intellectual level, his melodies, variations and motives are very accessible. It’s the simple rhythm of dreaming.
