1967 Daniel Friederich "Liège" SP/CSAR

The late Daniel Friederich (1932-2020) worked tirelessly for over six decades, constructing highly refined instruments that have become uniquely recognized for their unsurpassed aesthetic and magisterial quality of tone. Many of the best players in the world play or have played Friederich guitars, including the Romeros, Manuel Barrueco, Julian Bream, Scott Tennant, Roberto Aussel, Eduardo Fernandez, Alvaro Pierri, David Tanenbaum and many others.

This is the very instrument that landed Daniel Friederich top prizes at the legendary Liège (Belgium) guitar competition in 1967, known by its full title "Concours International de Quatuor à Cordes et Rencontres Musicales Internationales de Liège", setting him on the world stage. The judges at this prestigious contest included such luminaries as Robert Bouchet and Ignacio Fleta, and all contestants were required to submit their instruments anonymously - with no label. Friederich did affix to the back of the head a sticker (which is still there) "Ad Glorium Ad Honores" and after winning the awards, added two labels internally, one with the text of the same Latin legend as on the back of the head, and the second, dated April of 1967 stating "1er prix de Lutherie, 2e prix de Sonorité" to forever identify this guitar as the winning instrument in his oeuvre. Apart from these very high accolades, it should be no surprise that it is also a concert player's workhorse and an investor's dream. Tone is rich and silky, smooth and full, typical of Friederich's best work. Although over half a century old, it is in excellent condition with only modest wear from having been played regularly but obviously looked over with great care by its previous owners. Currently in the collection of novelist Jonathan Kellerman.

Orfeo magazine article on Daniel Friederich

Interview: Daniel Friederich by Andrea Tacchi