Solo Nils Frahm

• 1 Ode 04:35
• 2 Some 04:14
• 3 Circling 03:45
• 4 Merry 04:08
• 5 Chant 05:13
• 6 Wall 04:45
• 7 Immerse! 10:47
• 8 Four Hands 05:19
• Total Runtime 42:46

Info for Solo

Nils Frahm has surprisingly released a new album called 'Solo' which is especially dedicated to 'Piano Day'. The album holds 8 piano-only, balladesk songs and is aimed to be a charity album. With the money collected through the sales of the album, Nils Frahm supports David Klavins, a passionate piano maker who is in the process of building the biggest piano on earth. So it is no coincidence that 'Solo' has been created and recorded in Tübingen, with the biggest piano there is right now.

Now Nils launches his very own Piano Day worldwide, for everyone to participate in. With a number of pianos being thrown away every year, Nils hopes to inject some passion and love back into this age-old instrument.

'What's this all about? At the end of 2014 I had an immediate urge to release a solo piano album which I recorded some time ago, and I was looking for a specific occasion to do so. I wanted it to be a nice surprise for everyone, so I thought of a meaningful release date to begin with.

Seconds later it came to my mind: I was about to create my own holiday in order to come up with a reason for this release. Moreover, if I could be proud of something, then of being responsible for an annual celebration of the piano. And here comes the best bit, Piano Day will happen on the 88th day of the year, which most of the time is the 29th of March. Piano Day is intended to be the most joyful of all holidays.

The Klavins M450: If we meet our goal, piano builder David Klavins can fulfill his lifelong dream and build the Klavins M450.

Our friend David Klavins isn't out for profit on this one. As he is only driven by hearing his invention himself, he simply wants materials and labor to be covered. I will donate all income generated with –solo– until the financial means are achieved. Building the Klavins M450 will take about two years and we are confident that we will organise a festival around this incredible invention on Piano Day 2017 here in Berlin.

My new record – solo – was recorded on the prototype of the instrument under discussion. Although being a slightly smaller version with 3.7 meters in height, the Klavins M370 is already tremendous and gigantic sounding. But listen for yourself and see if the sound is worth the effort. I have, of course, no doubt it is. If you also feel that the world is in need for an instrument like this, please feel free to donate by buying the record or by donating online. It is much appreciated and everyone who donates or signs up to the newsletter will receive infrequent updates on the building of this unique instrument. Now I have two years to organise a room to place it in and make it accessible to as many ears and hands as possible …'

Nils Frahm
was born in 1982 and from a very young age, he really enjoyed piano lessons, amongst others those given by Nahum Brodski, one of Tchaikowsky ́s last pupils. In his early days he also discovered Keith Jarrett ́s epochal improvisational music and the boundary-pushing musical worlds of the exceptional label ECM. Classical and jazz music have since become equal sources of inspiration for the pianist, alongside minimalist music and pop.

Nils Frahm had an early introduction to music. During his childhood he was taught to play piano. It was through this that Nils began to immerse himself in the styles of the classical pianists before him as well as contemporary composers.

Today Nils Frahm works as an accomplished composer and producer from his Berlin-based Durton Studio. His unconventional approach to an age-old instrument, played contemplatively and intimately, has won him many fans around the world. For a musician this early in his career, Frahm displays an incredibly developed sense of control and restraint in his work, catching the ear of many fans.

As the recognition continues to grow for his previous solo piano works 'Wintermusik' (2009) and ‘The Bells’ (2009), 2011 saw the release of his critically acclaimed record 'Felt' on Erased Tapes Records. The album was followed by the solo synthesiser EP 'Juno' and 'Screws' (2012) – a birthday gift to his fans he recorded while recovering from a thumb injury. Nils released his follow up to Juno titled 'Juno Reworked' (2013) with guest reworks by Luke Abbott and Clark.

Nils returned with his new album 'Spaces' in 2013, expressing his love for experimentation and answering the call from his fans for a record that truly reflects what they have witnessed during his concerts.

In 2013 Nils Frahm released his first music book, entitled 'Sheets Eins'. Nils is currently on his worldwide 'Spaces Tour 2014'.

This album contains no booklet.