As Bertelmann climbs into the piano itself between pieces to modify the innards � clamping wedges of leather, felt or rubber between the strings; preparing the hammers with aluminum or rough films; placing crown corks on the strings, weaving guitar strings around the piano's guts, or pasting them down with gaffa tape � sounds gradually change and grow in search of new textures.

While previous records focused on piano, Ferndorf, while keeping that instrument at its center, finds Bertelmann expanding his palette further. Joined by Sabine Baron (violin), Insa Schirmer and Donja Djember (cello) and Bernhard Voelz (trombone), Ferndorf reflects the fleeting, melancholic yet vibrant pastoralism of the record's title (Ferndorf translates as "distant village," a reference to Bertelmann's childhood in rural Germany). Ferndorf's minimalist folk melodies harmonize with flittering percussion to form the memories of a distant past: a child and his village.