Peter Finger

Summary

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
Background information
Born (1954-10-11) 11 October 1954 (age 69)
Weimar, Bezirk Erfurt, East Germany
Genres[1]
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • songwriter
  • composer
  • record producer
Instrument(s)
  • Acoustic guitar
  • classical guitar
  • violin
  • piano
  • vocals
Years active1970s–present
LabelsKicking Mule, Acoustic Music
Websitepeter-finger.com

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 edit

Life and career edit

Peter 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 edit

In 2008, Finger performed at the Guitares au Palais.

In 2009, Finger appeared at the International Çukurova Instrumental Music Festival.[8]

Production work edit

Finger has produced albums such as Guitar Bazaar (Tim Sparks, 1995), One String Leads to Another (Tim Sparks, 1999), and Vicki Genfan Live (2003).

Equipment edit

Finger uses mainly his own-built guitars under his 'Finger' brand, and guitars manufactured by the luthier, George Lowden.[9]

Discography edit

Albums 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

[6][10]

Compilation albums edit

Year Title Record label
1998 The Best of Peter Finger and Florian Poser Acoustic Music
2001 Collection Solid Air Records

[11]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f Greg Prato. "Peter Finger – Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  2. ^ "Peter Finger Discography and Music at CD Universe". Cduniverse.com. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  3. ^ "Open Strings - Peter Finger - Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". Allmusic. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  4. ^ a b "Peter Finger". Last.fm. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  5. ^ a b c d e "BIOGRAPHY @ Peter Finger". Akustikgitarrist.de. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  6. ^ a b "Peter Finger – Discography". Allmusic. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  7. ^ a b "Untitled Document". Tejagerken.com. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  8. ^ "International Çukurova Instrumental Music Festival (2009)". Cumder.org. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  9. ^ "Lowdens on YouTube". Georgelowden.com. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  10. ^ "Peter Finger". Discogs.com. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  11. ^ "Peter Finger – Discography – Compilations". Allmusic. Retrieved 3 October 2014.

External links edit

  • Peter Finger homepage
  • Akustikgitarrist.de
  • Audio sample: Peter Finger plays Getaway
  • Osnabrück: Passing Clouds video with Peter Finger