Salon Des Amateurs
Salon des Amateurs finds Hauschka focusing on rhythmic possibilities of his own prepared piano, as well as his first recorded collaborations with kit drummers specifically the immensely creative Samuli Kosminen (of Múm and others), as well as Calexico's John Convertino. Joey Burns, also of Calexico, and Grammy-winning violinist Hilary Hahn provide additional instrumentation. Salon des Amateurs is like nothing you've heard before, but because Hauschka merges its disparate influences so successfully, there is nothing of the novelty here: the album is a thrillingly unique sonic achievement.
Best known for recordings for chamber ensemble or prepared piano, Haushcka here embraces house music. Members of múm and Calexico guest.
Though making prepared piano the focus of his work would seem limiting, Hauschka's Volker Bertelmann has pushed against any perceived boundaries with each of his albums -- except for Salon des Amateurs, where he smashes them.