Ladies and gentlemen, meet Hauschka, an innovative German ambient composer who sometimes custom-fits his piano hammers with tiny tambourines. Here, the scarf-swathed, blue-eyed maestro explains his overarching musical philosophy, as well as his growing affection for a certain windup toy duck. Let Hauschka’s string section and snowdrifts momentarily sweep away your Monday woes—and if you feel so inclined, catch him tomorrow at Holocene.

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