Frédérick Haas
clavecin, basse continue
Frédérick Haas, educated at the Sweelinck Conservatorium in Amsterdam, the Royal Conservatoire in Brussels, and the Sorbonne in Paris, has held a fascination for the harpsichord and the craft of early instrument making since childhood. Immersed in French classical culture and captivated by Japan, he thrives on the cross-fertilization of cultures and the comparison of human and artistic experiences—acting as antidotes to the stereotypes sometimes associated with today's 'historically informed' approach.
"Frédérick Haas is a regular guest at major venues dedicated to Baroque music, both as a soloist and leading the Ausonia ensemble. His approach to the keyboard—harpsichord, organ (studied with André Isoir), and fortepiano—illuminates the works he performs. This is evident in his solo discography, consistently praised and awarded by the specialist press. Notable recordings include Suites by d'Anglebert, the complete works for harpsichord by Rameau, English Suites, Goldberg Variations, Concertos, The Well-Tempered Clavier, Partitas by J.S. Bach, a significant selection of Scarlatti Sonatas (including five recorded at the age of 26), and the complete works for harpsichord by J.S. Bach. His discography also encompasses Scarlatti Sonatas (five discs spanning from 2002 to 2022) and six albums dedicated to François Couperin.
In 2007, he collaborated with Mira Glodeanu to record J.S. Bach's six Sonatas for violin and obbligato harpsichord. Over the course of twenty-five years, he has curated original programs for the Ausonia ensemble, a collaborative effort founded with violinist Mira Glodeanu. The ensemble serves as a laboratory for researching performance techniques and exploring expressive possibilities. Notable recordings by the ensemble include works by Francœur, Rameau (particularly acclaimed after ten years of dedicated work), J.S. and C.P.E. Bach, Biber, Tartini, and more.
In 2015, Frédérick Haas established the publishing company Hitasura Productions. Its inaugural recording of J.S. Bach concertos with Ausonia was released in spring 2016, garnering acclaim from Tokusen de Record Geijutsu, 5 stelle de Musica, and 5 de l'Écho. Subsequent releases include three discs of Sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti in 2017, praised by Choix de France Musique, Joker de Crescendo, and ***** Suonare News. Additionally, J.S. Bach's second Well-Tempered Clavier, released in the same year, earned the title of "disc of the year" by Trouw.
J.S. Bach's Musical Offering was published in 2023.
In 2018, Frédérick Haas served as the artistic coordinator of the Scarlatti 555 project. This ambitious initiative, organized in collaboration with France Musique and the Festival de Radio France Occitanie Montpellier, aimed to present the complete 555 sonatas by Scarlatti. The project featured 35 recitals by 30 harpsichordists from around the world, all meticulously recorded and filmed. In conjunction with the event, Haas curated a night of archive footage featuring harpsichordist Scott Ross for France Musique.
Since 1997, Frédérick Haas has served as a professor of harpsichord at the Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles. His expertise extends globally, having conducted master classes in Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, Hungary, and Japan. Additionally, he has served as a distinguished member of the jury at various international harpsichord competitions.
Frédérick Haas maintains the Henri Hemsch harpsichord from 1751, alongside a Hofmann pianoforte from Vienna, circa 1785.
Achievements
Discography
Solo harpsichord
With the Ausonia ensemble (conductor and harpsichord)