Peter Finger (born 11 October 1954) is a German acoustic fingerstyle guitarist, songwriter, composer and record producer.[1] His most notable recordings include "Just Another Day in May", "Vielleicht Im Nächsten Leben", "Fanesca", "For You", "101 South", "Blue Horizon", and "No Man's Land".[2]
Peter Finger | |
|---|---|
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| Background information | |
| Born | 11 October 1954 Weimar, Bezirk Erfurt, East Germany |
| Genres | [1] |
| Occupations |
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| Instruments |
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| Years active | 1970s–present |
| Labels | Kicking Mule, Acoustic Music |
| Website | peter-finger |
AllMusic journalist, Tim Sheridan, noted when relating to Finger's 1999 album, Open Strings, that "Finger displays remarkable skill and sensitivity as a musician. The title track is a standout showcase of jaw-dropping technical skill and melodic invention".[3]
Biography
editLife and career
editPeter Finger was born in Weimar, Thuringia, Germany. He came from a musical family with his father being employed as an orchestral conductor, and Finger studied both violin and piano before taking lessons on guitar playing at the age of 13.[1] He won first prize for classical violin in the Jugend musiziert on two occasions.[4] He later studied music in Münster.[5]
His debut recording took place in 1973, which saw Bottleneck Guitar Solos issued by Kicking Mule Records.[4][5][6] Following further releases, Finger toured from 1976 onwards and performed worldwide. He later expanded his activities to include production work for radio, television and films.[5] In 1981, he commenced composing works for orchestral arrangements, and this led four years later to similar work for television and film productions.[1][5] In 1985, he was awarded first prize in a competition run by the Oldenburgisches Staatstheater, for his composition "Herbstwind" ("Autumn Wind").[5] In the same decade, Finger also performed in a duo with the vibraphone player, Florian Poser, and in a trio with Trilok Gurtu and Charlie Mariano.[7]
By 1988, Finger had set up his own music publishing business and record label, the latter being known as Acoustic Music Records. From 1995 onwards he worked as the publisher of the Akustik Gitarre magazine.[1]
Finger returned to recording in the early 1990s, which included the albums Niemandsland (1993) and Solo (1995).[1] In 2000, Finger produced the Open Strings Festival in Germany for the third time.[7]
Live performances
editIn 2008, Finger performed at the Guitares au Palais.
In 2009, Finger appeared at the International Çukurova Instrumental Music Festival.[8]
Production work
editFinger has produced albums such as Guitar Bazaar (Tim Sparks, 1995), One String Leads to Another (Tim Sparks, 1999), and Vicki Genfan Live (2003).
Equipment
editFinger uses mainly his own-built guitars under his 'Finger' brand, and guitars manufactured by the luthier, George Lowden.[9]
Discography
editAlbums
edit| Year | Title | Record label |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Bottleneck Guitar Solos | Kicking Mule |
| 1975 | Detlef & Finger | Kicking Mule |
| 1975 | Bottleneck Guitar Solos | Kicking Mule |
| 1978 | The Elf King – Acoustic Rock Guitar | Kicking Mule |
| 1979 | Zwei Seiten | Stockfisch Records |
| 1990 | The Colors of the Night | Shanachie Records |
| 1993 | Niemandsland | Acoustic Music |
| 1995 | Innenleben | Beachwood Records |
| 1995 | Solo | Acoustic Music |
| 1999 | Open Strings | Acoustic Music |
| 2002 | Between the Lines | Acoustic Music |
| 2003 | Blue Moon | Acoustic Music |
| 2004 | Dream Dancer | Acoustic Music |
| 2011 | Flow | Acoustic Music |
| 2014 | Made of Rosewood | Acoustic Music |
Compilation albums
edit| Year | Title | Record label |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | The Best of Peter Finger and Florian Poser | Acoustic Music |
| 2001 | Collection | Solid Air Records |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f Greg Prato. "Peter Finger – Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
- ^ "Peter Finger Discography and Music at CD Universe". Cduniverse.com. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
- ^ "Open Strings - Peter Finger - Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". Allmusic. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
- ^ a b "Peter Finger". Last.fm. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
- ^ a b c d e "BIOGRAPHY @ Peter Finger". Akustikgitarrist.de. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
- ^ a b "Peter Finger – Discography". Allmusic. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
- ^ a b "Untitled Document". Tejagerken.com. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
- ^ "International Çukurova Instrumental Music Festival (2009)". Cumder.org. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
- ^ "Lowdens on YouTube". Georgelowden.com. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
- ^ "Peter Finger". Discogs.com. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
- ^ "Peter Finger – Discography – Compilations". Allmusic. Retrieved 3 October 2014.