Volker Bertelmann, aka Hauschka, will release his new record PHILANTHROPHY on October 20th.
Emotional and atmospheric sounds are part of the trademark of the ambient and classical musician Hauschka, who also takes this line with his new single “Loved Ones”. The instrumental piece, in the style of John Cages prepared piano, is intended to give a first taste of the upcoming album by the Düsseldorfer, which is called PHILANTHROPHY and will be released on October 20, 2023 via City Slang.
Hauschka leads a kind of double life in his artistic existence: he publishes his own music under the pseudonym, while he composes film soundtracks under his real name, Volker Bertelmann. Bertelmann was awarded a BAFTA and an Oscar for his work on the music for Edward Berger’s anti-war film “Nothing New in the West” (2022).
Now Bertelmann is turning back to his Hauschka side and with the work PHILANTHROPHY will deliver the successor to his 2019 album A DIFFERENT FOREST.
Watch the video for the first single “Loved Ones” here:
“Loved Ones” is carried by a gentle piano and intense strings. It is a piece that should be understood as an expression of Hauschka’s feelings for his family and all the people who are really close to him. According to Bertelmann, the other compositions on PHILANTHROPY should be emotional, but also “tidier”, according to the record’s press release. This would express itself through the increase of driving and repetitive sounds. The Oscar winner also brought in Icelandic band múm’s drummer, Samuli Kosminien, to the studio, who eventually contributed the drum parts for two tracks on the album.
PHILANTHROPHY: The track listing
1.Diversity
2. Searching
3. Invention
4. Detached
5. Restrictions
6. Nature
7.Science
8. Loved Ones
9. Generosity
10. Magnanimity
11. Altruism
12. Noie
The album artwork
Hauschka live
Hauschka will also play a concert in Berlin on November 8, 2023 at the Theater des Westens. Tickets are between 35 and 55 euros here.