Friedemann Master

Friedemann - The Master Tracks (2015) {Biber 76865 Digital Download}
FLAC (tracks) - 16bit/44kHz - Official Digital Download (qobuz.com) -> 432 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 158 Mb | Cover | 5% repair rar
© 2015 Biber Records / in-akustik | Biber 76865
Jazz / Contemporary Instrumental Music / Nu-Jazz / Guitar

For half a century his life has been his music. And on this long and wondrous way the German composer and guitar player Friedemann has come across some deep rivers and some high mountains. Or as he himself puts it: »The music has made me poor and rich, happy and unhappy. It makes me ill and it heals me. It frustrates me, frightens me and gives me hope. Sometimes I hate it. But, it lives within me; it nourishes me and it inspires me to new deeds.«

Friedemann - The Concert (2005) {Biber 76786 Digital Download rel 2015}
FLAC (tracks) - 16bit/44kHz - Official Digital Download (qobuz.com) -> 430 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 164 Mb | Cover | 5% repair rar
© 2005, 2015 Biber Records / in-akustik | Biber 76786
Jazz / Contemporary Instrumental Music / Nu-Jazz / Guitar

SACD review: When Friedemann was in the studio with his long term »sound master« Johannes Wohlleben mixing the audio for the DVD of the same title, the video was always running along with the sound track. This is standard practise to make sure that sound and picture are in sync and compatible. But there were certain moments when Friedemann shut his eyes. He wanted to »see the music« rather than the musicians.

Wilhelm Friedemann Bach (1710-1784), considered by many the most talented of J. S. Bach's children, is also the least known of the great master's three composing sons. In contrast to his father's orderly, wholesome and responsible lifestile, Wilhelm Friedemann's was erratic and characterized by excesses. Add to that a puzzling inability to "market" himself, and you will easily understand why this genius ended his life in abject powerty.

Fazil Say is one of the world's most prominent pianists but he is also a much-admired composer with a substantial catalogue of works. He combines both these accomplishments in his two Violin Sonatas, the first of which is suffused with Turkish motifs and dances, such as the horon. The second sonata takes as its theme the abuse of nature and the need to resist despoliation. His Violin Concerto is subtitled 1001 Nights in the Harem and is full of rich melodies and atmosphere, and features an array of Turkish percussion instruments.

The son of the peerless Johann Sebastian, Wilhelm Friedemann was the least famous Bach of his time. Yet he is now regarded by some as the most brilliant of the Bach children, and is occasionally reported to have been his father's favourite. A master of numerous different keyboard instruments, he was not particularly prolific, and of his 100 or so known works, many remained unprinted until the 20th century.