Hauschka - Philanthropy

A Closer Listen

Positive and optimistic, highlighting the best of humanity, Philanthropy offers a shot of essential encouragement.  After the pandemic, Hauschka writes, “I felt the urge to release a record that would help open the windows a little.”  The titles serve as reminders of humanity’s greatest values, including “Diversity,” “Generosity,” “Magnanimity” and “Altrusism.”  Throw in “Nature,” “Science” and “Inventions,” and Philanthropy is a recipe for rejuvenation, a panacea for daily woes.

The album returns Hauschka to his roots in prepared piano, while numerous guests are invited to join the fun: cellist Laura Wiek, violinist Karina Buschinger, and múm drummer Samuli Kosminen.  Synthesizer plays a major role, lending the music an electronic sheen.  Jubilant opener “Diversity” even contains hints of Orbital’s classic “The Box;” it’s his most upbeat piece since “Late Summer.”  “Altruism” (one of the two tracks to feature Kosminen) yields bright bells and laser synth, an organic-electronic hybrid that connects the past to the present.

The album is not all upbeat, as Volker Bertelmann knows just when to tone it down.  “Searching” is slower and more contemplative, befitting its title.  “Detached” is a lesson in objective observation.  First singles “Limitation of Lifetime” and “Loved Ones” are romantic and melancholic, curve balls to early listeners who may expect the rest of the album to follow.  Bertelmann is more interested in the breadth of life, focusing simply on where to land.  Hearing the titles, one is invited to reflect on their meaning and power.  In recent years, the world has not seemed generous, or magnanimous, or altruistic; but it could be.  Those who have fallen out of love with humanity might remember their early enchantment while listening to the calming tones of tracks such as “Magnanimity” or the more caffeinated “Inventions.”  Art itself is a reason to rejoice.  Unusual for an instrumental release, one almost doesn’t need the music; the most important aspect of the album is the list of reminders provided by the titles.  But of course we’re happy to have Hauschka back, and even happier to hear such empathetic tones, themselves tiny acts of philanthropy.  (Richard Allen)