Hauschka is the alias of German pianist  and composer Volker Bertelmann. Having previously studied classical  piano for ten years, his work as Hauschka is based heavily upon an  exploration of the possibilities of the ‘prepared’ piano – a playfully  disruptive intervention into the preconceived idea of the piano as a  pure-toned, perfected instrument waiting for a gifted virtuoso to play  it.

Clamping wedges of leather, felt or rubber between the  strings; preparing the hammers with aluminium paper or rough films;  placing vibrators, ping pong balls or crown corks on the strings,  weaving guitar strings around the piano’s guts, or pasting them down  with gaffa tape – his resulting tracks are vivid, unconventional pieces  made in a spirit of playful research-enthusiasm.

Rather than  striving for any purist academic perfection, Volker’s playing seems as  much informed by modern electronica as it is by any classical cannon.  With the aid of his interventions, the piano becomes as much a machine  for generating rhythms as it does for melody. Besides the  piano, Hauschka has frequently utilised additional, non-piano sounds  such as synthesizer, drum machine, electric bass, or other acoustic  instruments like drums, vibraphone, strings or brass. A compulsive live  performer, Volker has also pursued numerous creative alliances  (including collaborations with violinist Hilary Hahn, drummer Samuli  Kosminen, cellists Hildur Gudnadottir and Jeffrey Zeigler, and also with  visual artists Semiconductor and Jeff Desom).

Before signing with 130701 in 2006, Hauschka released two albums on the Karaoke Kalk label –  ‘Substantial’ (2004) and ‘The Prepared Piano’ (2005); and a 7″, ‘What A  Day’ (2005) on the Ear Sugar label. His debut for 130701, ‘Room To  Expand’ was released in February 2007.  September 2008 saw a follow-up  album, ‘Ferndorf’. Where the previous album comprised mostly solo  recordings of Hauschka’s ‘prepared’ piano (with a few electronic and  instrumental overdubs), ‘Ferndorf’ is a far more expansive and  fully-realised album, with many of the tracks also featuring a string  duo, enabling an increased solidity. An EP, ‘Snowflakes and Carwrecks’,  was released in January 2009.

‘Foreign Landscapes’ (October 2010),  Hauschka’s striking third album for 130701 saw the artist making  ambitious advances on his critically-acclaimed previous work, in  stunning collaboration with San Francisco’s Magik*Magik Orchestra.  ‘Salon des Amateurs’ – an album of prepared piano-based dance tracks –  was released to great success and acclaim in April 2011. An original,  orchestral take on house/techno pieces, the album featured Joey Burns  and John Convertino from Calexico, mum drummer Samuli Kosminen and  Grammy-winning violinist Hilary Hahn. An album of remixes from ‘Salon  Des Amateurs’ (featuring the likes of Alva Noto, Steve Bicknell, Ricardo  Villalobos, Matthew Herbert, Michel Mayer, Patten and Vladislav Delay)  was issued towards the end of 2012. The following year Hauschka signed  to City Slang, where he continues to release fine records and be  involved in fantastic projects.

In 2017, Hauschka and Dustin O’Halloran’s jointly composed score for the film ‘Lion’ saw its authors  nominated for ‘best original score’ gongs at the Oscars, Grammy and  BAFTAs.