1967 Daniel Friederich "Recital" SP/CSAR

This 1967 Daniel Friederich "Recital" is a spruce and CSA rosewood classical guitar from his Paris workshop on the rue Sergent Bauchat, built in the year of his Liège prizes – one of the rare Recital models, and one of the most elegant spruce Friederichs we have had.

In the videos above, Tomasz Fechner plays Tansman's "Tempo di Polonaise", and Samuel Hines plays the Prelude from Bach's BWV 1006 on this guitar.

A "Recital" from the Year of Liège

This is one of the most elegant spruce Friederich guitars we've seen and heard here at GSI. It was built the same year that Friederich won top prizes in Liège, thereby establishing himself as a leading builder of his generation – and history since has made him one of the most collectible makers of all. This is one of the rare "Recital" instruments, as indicated aesthetically by the flat relief on the head veneer and checkered purfling in the rosette (as opposed to herringbone); its label is dated "Année 1967" with no number, as on all his Recital models.

Sound and Playability

Rich, silky, smooth and full, the sound combines the finest qualities of a great spruce guitar of the 1960s with Friederich's unique tonal character; notes are clear and separate, and the balance is remarkable in every register. It features the classic (and in our opinion, one of the most beautiful) plantillas ever designed, and plays as beautifully as it sounds – a sleek, comfortable neck (by comparison with instruments built in later periods), great responsiveness for the right hand and the volume to fill any sized hall.

Not only a player's dream, but also very rare, collectible and in fantastic condition.

Daniel Friederich: Paris Master of the French School

Daniel Friederich (1932–2020) was one of the most respected and influential classical guitar makers of the twentieth century. Born in Paris, he built his first guitar in 1955 – a simple copy of a Francisco Simplicio – became a full-time maker in his Paris workshop in 1960 after showing his work to Robert Bouchet, and in 1967 won top prizes at the legendary Liège competition: a gold medal for craftsmanship and a silver for sound, awarded anonymously by a jury that included Bouchet and Ignacio Fleta.

The elegant body shape and the distinctive headstock with its raised central design make his guitars easy to recognize, and they are known for their unsurpassed aesthetic as well as their beautiful and magisterial quality of tone. Many of the best players in the world have played them, including the Romeros, Manuel Barrueco, Julian Bream, Scott Tennant, Roberto Aussel, Eduardo Fernández, Álvaro Pierri and David Tanenbaum.

Concert, Recital and Arpège Models

In the 1960s Friederich built two main lines: the "Concert" model – his most advanced guitar, with a carved head, specially designed machine heads, the finest woods and a serial number on the label – and the less expensive "Recital" and "Arpège" models, which carried no serial number. From 1970 on he made only "Concert" guitars, each label giving the number and year. In his own words, his earlier guitars were "relatively simple, pleasant to play" with a "quite explosive" sound; from about 1973 he increased their weight, for more sustain and a richer, sweeter voice.

Daniel Friederich and GSI

GSI was proud to be Friederich's exclusive worldwide dealer for his new guitars until he retired in 2014, and for over 20 years we received one guitar a year from him. He passed away in Paris on November 4, 2020, at the age of 88 – read our tribute. You can also read Andrea Tacchi's interview with Daniel Friederich.

Books on Daniel Friederich

The bilingual book "Luthier d'Art" is the most complete record of his life and work; Orfeo Magazine No. 2 is devoted to him (see our post or read the issue online), and a 2008 Friederich is among the guitars shown in Orfeo's "34 Classical Guitars in Life Size":

Daniel Friederich 1932-2020: Luthier d'Art

Orfeo Magazine 1-5

Orfeo – 34 Classical Guitars in Life Size