Hauschka - Different Forest - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

The follow-up to 2008's breakthrough Ferndorf, Hauschka's Foreign Landscapes represents another tremendous shift for FatCat's engaging composer/pianist nine of it's twelve tracks feature a 12-piece string and wind ensemble from San Francisco's Magik*Magik Orchestra alongside Volker Bertelmann's own prepared piano. Now dark and intimate, now playful, now driving - the ensemble's fleshed-out instrumentation enables Hauschka to bring his exuberant versatility to a new and vital level. With Foreign Landscapes, Hauschka stretches for - and reaches - stunning new realms.

Tenor Salvatore Champagne became fascinated by the work of Italian composer Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco through his longtime pianist and collaborator, Howard Lubin. The introduction led to 15 years of research by Champagne, during which he uncovered the influential composer's unpublished Shakespeare Sonnets as well as a song cycle setting Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass. In them Champagne found music of profound beauty and intimacy-and he became intent on sharing these treasures through his singing and in his work with students. The discoveries led to this premiere recording and the 66-page book that accompanies it a fascinating exploration of Castelnuovo-Tedesco's life, work, and influence among a generation of U.S. composers and musicians. In addition, the book features rarely seen personal photographs and other artifacts that capture the essence of Castelnuovo-Tedesco.

For Volker Bertelmann, aka Hauschka, music is not solely about it's sound, but also a means to facilitate the exchange of ideas and foster meaningful interactions between individuals, revealing his fascination with human connection and engagement. Despite being known for his distinctive prepared piano sound, the Academy Award-winning composer intentionally named his 15th solo studio album PHILANTHROPY to express his compassion and openness. The album's song titles, such as InchDiversity,Inch InchNature,Inch InchLoved Ones,Inch and InchAltruism,Inch perfectly align with their respective musical compositions. Hauschka's albums often serve as a to provoke dialogue on specific themes, and PHILANTHROPY follows this pattern, aiming to offer optimism and energy in response to the challenges of recent years. The album combines upbeat and pensive pieces, featuring moments of joy, introspection, and peaceful interludes. Overall, PHILANTHROPY showcases Hauschka's compositional prowess and serves as a gift that sparks reflection and celebration.1. Diversity2. Searching3. Inventions4. Detached5. Limitation of Lifetime6. Nature7. Science8. Loved Ones9. Generosity10. Magnanimity11. Altruism12. Noise