The classical guitar has been given a new facet of expression: Inmitten is the name of the album that gives its six strings a new performance that, combined with airy and atmospheric overtones, opens up a new world of sound. What happened?

Freiburg guitarist Ferdinand Kavall has recorded nine of his own compositions for his solo debut, and in a very unique way. The most striking aspect is that Kavall recorded all six strings of this electric guitar individually. This makes it possible to play each string as its own musical voice and assign it to a direction in space.

It is a new form of composition. Spatially choreographed tone sequences, circulating patterns and pulsating textures move through the space and merge with it,’ says Kavall.

Kavall describes his approach as ‘immersive minimalism’. To what extent the listener can actually interact with the music - which is what ‘immersive’ means - remains to be seen.

The fact is, however, that the guitar extends string by string across the entire listening room, which can be experienced more intensively with headphones than through loudspeakers. Headphones, on the other hand, fill the room better with the sound buildings that Kavall has created, which is also very appealing.

Recommended tracks are Bridged Circle, Flagolets and Gyra. Among others.

For all those who like guitars, all those who like classical music, all those who like to cross boundaries. (Thomas Semmler, HighResMac)

Ferdinand Kavall, guitar