|
The Belgian harpsichordist, Frédérick Haas, was impassioned from childhood by the harpsichord. He began playing already at the age of 12, after initial tuition on the piano. He studied the harpsichord with a number of teachers, and was awarded solo diplomas at both the Sweelinck Conservatorium of Amsterdam and the Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles, in addition to a Musicology degree from the Sorbonne. He also participated in master-classes during which he received tuition from numerous masters. Those offering him the most enduring inspiration being Scott Ross, Jos van Immerseel, André Isoir (organ), and Jordi Savall.
Assiduously frequenting the workshops of instrument builders, Frédérick Haas has learnt, through the art of tuning and the adjustment of the instrument, to exploit to the full the sonorous potential of the harpsichord. He is familiar with many of the most exceptional instruments still in existence, and is received by many important collectors to whom he makes visits regularly. This fundamental source of inspiration has allowed him to develop an extremely rich sound ideal and has contributed decisively to his rediscovering the expressive possibilities of the harpsichord.
Frédérick Haas has participated in concerts and recordings with numerous early music ensembles (notably; Cantatas by J.S.Bach with Andreas Scholl and Philippe Herreweghe). He performs throughout Europe, as a soloist, with Mira Glodeanu, or directing the ensemble Ausonia (Festival of Ambronay, Festival Baroque de Pontoise, Philharmonic Society of Brussels, Concertgebouw of Amsterdam, Academies Musicales de Saintes, Festival of Cordes, Castello Sforzesco of Milan, Chateau d'Assas, Bucarest Bach Festival, Concerts Parisiens, Printemps des Arts de Nantes, Festival of Brezice (Ljubljana), St. Petersburg International Early Music Festival...).
For the Calliope label Frédérick Haas has recorded a disc of Suites by Jean-Henri d'Anglebert: "Can one imagine a more vibrant harmony between the work and its interpretation? Not a moment of tedium or monotony on listening to this disc. An undeniable success." (Diapason); the integral works for harpsichord by J. Ph. Rameau: "Haas, whose complete Rameau is a spectacular achievement." (Gramophone); the English Suites of J.S.Bach: "Bach appears to us transparent, effortless, without restraint, ... quite simply reinvented!" (Classica), and a CD of 21 sonatas by D.Scarlatti: "Once again Frédérick Haas lends an essential clarity to the repertoire he touches, and offers us a fascinating disc, as maturely conceived as it is imaginative." (Piano Magazine), "This is a stunning recording." (Gramophone), "Searing, supple, sublime, these are the three words which characterise this interpretation of the highest calibre." (Repertoire).
Frédérick Haas is professor of harpsichord at the Royal Conservatorium of Brussels. He teaches regularly in master-classes in Germany, Italy, France, England, Belgium and Romania. |
