1967 Daniel Friederich "Liège" SP/CSAR

This 1967 Daniel Friederich "Liège" is the spruce and CSA rosewood classical guitar that won him the first prize for craftsmanship and second prize for sound at the 1967 Liège competition – the guitar that set him on the world stage, now in the collection of novelist Jonathan Kellerman.

The 1967 Liège Prize-Winning Guitar

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". 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.

"Ad Gloriam, Ad Honores": the Labels

Friederich did affix to the back of the head a sticker (which is still there) "Ad Gloriam Ad Honores", and after winning the awards, added two labels internally: one with the same Latin legend as on the back of the head, and a second, dated April 1967, stating "1er prix de Lutherie, 2e prix de Sonorité" and "Guitare faite pour le Concours de Liège en 1967" – to forever identify this guitar as the winning instrument in his oeuvre.

Sound and Condition

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 after with great care by its previous owners. Currently in the collection of novelist Jonathan Kellerman.

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