His lifelong involvement with music begun since the age of six: classic piano studies where followed by the creation of his first rock band. At that time, being just fourteen years old, Volker Bertelmann was also composing television themes. After graduating school, he enrolled at Cologne Pharmaceutical School which he switched for financial studies afterwards.
His true calling was music though. He returned to Düsseldorf, adopted the Hauschka pseudonym, and since his 2004 debut release, has become famous for his prepared piano compositions.
Wedging pieces of leather, felt or rubber between the piano strings, wrapping aluminium foil around the hammers, placing small objects on the strings or joining them together with guitar strings and adhesive tape, Hauschka has established himself as one of the most innovative minimalist composers.
His integration of other musical instruments, as well as the collaboration with an array of cellists, trombonists and violinists has given a more fluent, melodic edge to his experimental song themes.
He has recorded for the legendary Deutsche Grammophon label, collaborated with bands as diverse as Calexico, composed film scores as well as electronic music under the Tonetraeter moniker, he has travelled throughout the globe to perform his special brand of music, and today he is visiting Thessaloniki, a city eager to indulge in his adventurous sonic explorations.
Tickets booking: https://www.viva.gr/tickets/music/theatro-ems/hauschka/