1981 Daniel Friederich No. 534 CD/IN

This 1981 Daniel Friederich No. 534 is a cedar and Indian rosewood classical guitar from Paris, from the Russell Cleveland collection and featured in the book "The Classical Guitar – A Complete History".

In the videos above, Alexander Milovanov plays Regondi's Fantaisie and his Variations on a theme of Bellini, and Yuri Liberzon plays Konstantin Vassiliev's "Cavatina" on this guitar.

From the Russell Cleveland Collection

This guitar comes from the Russell Cleveland collection, and is featured on pages 74–76 of the book The Classical Guitar – A Complete History, which documents that collection. Its label reads "Année 1981, No. 534".

The Classical Guitar – A Complete History

Sound

This guitar from 1981 has the fullness, robustness and depth of sound that Friederich is known for in his best cedar instruments. The tone is like soft, fine silk, with controlled and balanced layers of overtones stacked on the crystal-clear fundamental, and its almost cathedral-like, thundering presence gives it plenty of power for any concert hall – a true "concert grand" of a guitar. These instruments have been and continue to be played by top concert artists worldwide; for sound and collectability, an extremely desirable example by this legendary maker.

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