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Andreas Vollenweider

Vollenweider was born in 1953 and is the son of Hans Vollenweider (1918-1993), an organist and composer. Andreas grew up in a creatively diverse and inspiring environment. A self-taught multi-instrumentalist, he searches for ‘his’ instrument. In 1975, Vollenweider discovered the harp and, finding its traditional versions too limited for his own musical ideas, developed his own playing technique, tailoring the instrument according to his needs. He created the electro-acoustic harp.

Early life

Vollenweider was born in 1953 and is the son of Hans Vollenweider (1918-1993), an organist and composer, while his mother was a painter. In 1971 he married Beata with whom he has two sons (Jonathan and Sebastian) and a daughter (Noëmi). In 1975, Vollenweider discovered the harp and, finding its traditional versions too limited for his own musical ideas, developed his own playing technique, tailoring the instrument according to his needs. He created the electro-acoustic harp. In 1975 he formed the trio ‘Poesie und Musik’ together with René Bardet (voice, guitar) and Orlando Valentini (bass), recording interpretations of the poetry of François Villon and Heinrich Heine which he left in 1978. During this period, Vollenweider also wrote music for films, mainly nature documentaries. Career 1980s

In 1979 he released his solo debut, “Eine Art Suite in XIII Teilen” in Switzerland. He subsequently began forming his ensemble “Andreas Vollenweider and Friends”, which included Walter Keiser (drums) Pedro Haldemann (percussion) Bobby Reveron (percussion) and Jon Otis (percussion). This five-piece debuted on July 11, 1981 at the Montreux Jazz Festival. Vollenweider was discovered by the German record-producer and manager Vera Brandes, who oversaw the release of “Behind the Gardens - Behind the Wall - Under the Tree…” through her label VeraBra Records. The album was distributed through CBS Records International and reached No. 32 in the German album charts in March 1982. The follow-up album “Caverna Magica” was recorded during the period May–November 1982 while Vollenweider and his band performed around Europe. Released in January 1983, the album managed to reach No. 11 in the German album charts. In 1983, he underlined his commitment to environmental issues with the EP &“Pace Verde” (“Peace Green”) in support for Greenpeace, which was accompanied by a video Vollenweider directed and produced himself. In October of that year he was awarded a Dutch Edison in the Instrumental category for “Caverna Magica”.

In 1984, the album “White Winds” entered the American billboard charts. Released through CBS Masterworks in North America, his records remained on catalogue, clocking up to six-figure sales. Vollenweider embarked on his first American tour in November of that year, making his debut at the Beacon Theatre, New York. It was presented by Carly Simon who had discovered his music a year earlier. She explained that “I knew I had discovered something that was going to change me in a wonderful way, I became so obsessed with his music that anyone who came to my house was introduced to it within the first 10 or 15 minutes”. Through CBS she contacted the artist and arranged for his American debut. As his instrumental tracks were generally deemed unsuitable for radio, he largely relied on word-of-mouth to gather a following.

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3
Album Review

Andreas Vollenweider: Slow Flow & Dancer

Read "Slow Flow & Dancer" reviewed by Robin B James


Instrumental music featuring the harps of Andreas Vollenweider, who plays his instruments traditionally, meaning in the classical style, and he plays in a jazzy way, and he plays in a new age style, and here for several tracks he rocks with an African beat. Remember, Vollenweider created the electro-acoustic harp in 1975, which changed everything. This album is a combination of two concepts. The first theme is Slow Flow, featuring a sparkling orchestra/band with the harp, an orchestra ...

9
Album Review

Andreas Vollenweider: Quiet Places

Read "Quiet Places" reviewed by Robin B James


Music for the heart and mind, bliss and joy for the ears and spirit. It has been 10 years since the last album from Andreas Vollenweider and now he emerges with new music--three new albums, the first is Quiet Places. The new album has 10 tracks and features several homages to ancient arts as well as more contemporary studies, secret doors into worlds of respite and relaxation. “Pygmalion" was in Greek mythology the Muse of sacred poetry, sacred hymn, dance, ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Slow Flow & Dancer

AVAF Music/MIG Music
2022

buy

Quiet Places

MIG Music
2020

buy

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