Frédérick Haas

Frédérick Haas was born in 1969. Impassioned from childhood by the harpsichord, he began playing already at the age of 12, after initial classical 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 where he received tuition from numerous soloists - those offering him the most enduring inspiration being Scott Ross, Jos van Immerseel, and André Isoir (organ).
Assiduously visiting the workshops of instrument builders, he has learnt, through the art of tuning and regulation 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 existing, whose regular frequenting has allowed him to develop an extremely rich sound ideal and to contribute decisively to the rediscovering of the expressive possibilities of the harpsichord.
Frédérick Haas performs worldwide as a soloist, both on harpsichord and fortepiano, or directing the ensemble Ausonia, for which he conceives highly original programmes (Festival of Ambronay, Bozar Brussels, Festival of Sablé, Phoenix Hall Osaka, Munegutsu Hall Nagoya, Music Museum Vermillion SD, Musashino Cultural center Tokyo, Concertgebouw of Amsterdam, Academies Musicales de Saintes, Castello Sforzesco of Milan, Chateau d'Assas, Concerts Parisiens, Printemps des Arts de Nantes, St. Petersburg International Early Music Festival, Centre de musique baroque de Versailles, Oudemusiek Utrecht, Amuz Antwerp, MA Brugge, Freunde alte Musik Basel, Festival Classica, Bach Festival, Salle Bourgie Montreal...).
For the Calliope label he has recorded a disc of Suites by J.H. 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 disc 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). In 2007, the six sonatas for violon and obligato harpsichord, together with Mira Glodeanu, for Ambronay label : "They both play with captivating confidence, flexibility and maturity of insight. A triumph" (Goldberg). "A new reference to retain" (Resmusica). In 2008 and 2010, release of a series of four discs dedicated to François Couperin, recorded for the label Alpha in 2007 : "In such a performance, this Ordres are exalting the power of François le Grand" (Le Monde de la musique). "You deserve quite a strengh of character, to defend such a programme where the aim is to maintain the listener in suspense, to avoid the temptation of zapping. The physical engagement of Frédérick Haas allows him to hold these famous musical tensions (Arte Magazine). "The harpsichord player Frédérick Haas, new herald of François Couperin (Telerama). In 2009, release of an original Rameau programme with Ausonia for the label Alpha : "this disc, allowing to listen to Rameau in chamber version is a marvel of taste." (Le Monde, disc of the year 2009). "Reading the booklet and listening to this treasure, which is already to be put into the discs of the year, it appears evident that with Haas and his musicians, acts are following words. This disc is a miracle all along" (Classic today). "My first is neverheard, my second magic, my third an alliteration : my whole is the most inventive Rameau ever made" (Classica/Repertoire). In 2012 : Goldberg Variations for la Dolce Volta label. "Haas has produced a stimulating and deeply satisfying performance that bears many repeated listenings with something new and delightful at each one" (Classical Net)
Frédérick Haas is professor of harpsichord at the Royal Conservatorium of Brussels. He teaches regularly in master classes in Germany, France, Belgium, Romania and Japan. In 2010, he was a member of the jury at the International Harpsichord Competition of Bruges. He is curator of and also performs on an original Hemsch harpsichord of 1751, and a fortepiano by Ferdinand Hofmann, Vienna, ca. 1785-90.
In 2015, Frédérick Haas founds a new society of edition, Hitasura Productions, whose first publications will include concertos, and the Well-tempered Clavier by J.S. Bach, as well as new recordings of Scarlatti sonatas, to be published from Spring 2016.