H is for Hauschka

By Sarah

few posts ago I wrote about my favorite instrumental band, Explosions In The Sky. This time around it's Hauschka, a close second, and music that I find myself addicted to this beautiful fall season here in Portland.

Indie-classical? Is that a thing?

I don't know, but if it is, Hauschka would likely be it. Hauschka's 2008 release Ferndorf has been on constant rotation for me the past couple of months or so. I came across the track "Heimat" sometime last year and have been hooked ever since.

Hauschka is Volker Bertelmann, a German musician who incorporates the use of the prepared piano in his work. In contrast to a "regular" piano, a prepared piano creates altered, different sounds by having the musician place various objects between or on the strings. This tweaks a traditional piano sound just enough to give it an ethereal, experimental quality. Add the accompanying strings and percussion, and the result provides a lovely soundtrack for my walks into downtown from my apartment.