“Trees are poems that the earth writes in the sky.”
Khalil Gibran
She’s Like An Untamable Horse. You Can Romp Up With Her To The Horizon And Beyond.
I like to picture Anke as a free, wild, and untethered soul — a force of nature, who, with her sensitivity and keen perception, can peer directly into people’s hearts. With her unique voice, she transforms her strength and vulnerability into pure emotion, which manifests in us as love! Anyone who has ever experienced her knows: she is unmistakable — there is no escaping her aura.
Her ability to peer into the innermost of others gives her access to authentic feelings and stories, which she transforms – and I am always delighted when we do this together – into powerful images through poetry. She always remains spontaneous and never falls into boring clichés.
Anyone who knows a bit about the Hindu deities knows that Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge, music, and all other forms of creative expression. Furthermore, she is the goddess of speech, bearer of Brahma’s creative intelligence, and mother of the Vedas – the sacred scriptures of the Hindus. I find Anke embodies her with astonishing harmony. I say this not in adoration, but out of deep respect.
There is one important thing that has connected us for many years: lightness – the total freedom in the collaborative creative process. Hours can pass as we create images with words; first, melodies resonate in rhythmic ecstasy, and then, as the picture evolves more clearly, we arrange the first chords and instrumentation.
It’s like a dance.
Anke and I Share Many Things, Especially the Desire for Unity.
Sometimes the words dance, sometimes the melody, and then, fueled by the joy of creation, our hearts dance. As with every movement, friction arises; sometimes it gets heated – we had to learn to turn it into productivity and create momentum from it. So we pass the balls back and forth, sometimes euphorically, sometimes deeply sad – always sensual, always focused on the beauty of poetry itself.
One thing has always been true to me: The music lies in the words, hidden in the metaphors of the lyrics. When they are coherent, and the poetry radiates, music flows with ease – the prerequisite for this is a connection with the cosmic creative energy. It may sound a bit esoteric, but it describes precisely the meditative state needed for writing lyrics and composing music.
Our spiritual connection and our uncompromising creative freedom continually create surprising results! In 2025, our comprehensive work for the LoveGate documentary was honoured with multiple awards.
At present, our world is facing many clashing ideas, driven by tribalism and hatred. We believe that music, as a universal language, offers a wonderful opportunity to reconnect people, as the Hindus state: “Inner peace for body and mind, peace with fellow human beings and world peace.”
“Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.”
“Music Acts Like A Magic Key, To Which The Most Tightly Closed Heart Opens.”
Maria Augusta von Trapp
My thoughts on Sven...hidden stories in a mystic HIGHLAND painting
By Anke Schaubrenner, October 2025
A Search For Truth In Music And Poetry.
Sven Gordon Williams said the doorbell. I buzzed. Then, the door opened. I climbed the white stairs to his former studio and entered a large, open room, with well-oiled dark wood – no creaking. “Hello, my lovely, nice to have you over! “Sven’s voice resonated in a deep cobalt blue.
Tall man, broad back, delicate hands. All those guitars were standing in neat order, waiting to play. A grand piano stood invitingly in the middle of the room. Tears of candle wax on its black lacquer – I smiled and thought: “People play here until late at night.” Then we talked. No platitudes, no small talk. It felt as though a circus tent full of dreams was beginning to open its curtains for me. Sven listened while he wrote notes in his old leather journal.
He still uses it today. It has a distinct patina. After this wonderful encounter, it was immediately clear to us that we spoke the same language.
I’ve always been searching for truth in music and poetry, looking for a producer who can capture my images and thoughts, realise extraordinary musical ideas, arrange them tastefully, and finish them in the shortest possible time. I’m excited – could it be that I’ve found my soul mate?
A Day At The Jewish Café.
Sven was wearing a waistcoat. Fine fabric. Quite the Scottish gentleman. A pen on his leather journal. Leaves fell like words from his book as if searching for autumnal melodies so they can follow their destiny and become songs. The lion in him moved leisurely; no hurry. The cappuccino in the large white cup was strong and delicious – he always takes two at least.
He talked about his Scottish father, Alan David Williams. About an evening at Ronnie Scott’s in London featuring The Berkeley All Stars. His dad had reserved the best seats, right in front of the stage. The evening kicked off with: “I fall in love so easily…”, while the singer looked deep into Sven’s eyes, he leaned over to his father and whispered: “She reminds me of Ella.” Now and then, he looked over at his father, recognised his joy in listening, and watched as he swayed to the rhythm of the band.
One of the precious father-and-son moments he keeps: he felt where his roots are; he recognised himself in his father; that evening, he felt at home and seen. (Read more below)
TONE
“A single tone is the smallest vibration that resonates within us.
We are after the heartfelt resonance that connects us.”
Sven Gordon Williams
“Music Expresses That Which Cannot Be Said And On Which It Is Impossible To Be Silent.”
Victor Hugo
The Seven Seas Are Calling.
Our boat has a draft; it’s fully laden, crammed to the gunwales with ideas. It’s gaining momentum as the wind picks up and the waves rise. Atmospheric landscapes, deep from our souls’ memory, appear like distant shores from past journeys. Yes, we remember – sometimes vaguely, sometimes crystal clear.
Our encounter turned into a journey – our provisions were letters and tones fallen from a tree like heavy, ripe papayas. A fruitful Newtonian moment – This will be great – Type & Tone is born!
Days, weeks, months, years, and decades pass. Our bond gives us absolute certainty that dancing to fiery soul music is more important than food — even though we’re both passionate cooks.
Our songs blossom like rosebuds, rising from good mother earth; they entwine themselves around the stone walls of old castles, ever higher, as if their history nourished them.
Sven, the experienced captain, guides our ship through life’s shallow waters, crafting stunning, powerful sound collages. When combined with my vocals, they allow me to follow my dreams.
We set sail together, while Sven’s beat sets the pace – our hearts beat in unison.
Sven Is Painting The Leviathan – Moby Dick.
Me: “Please tell me more about it.” Sven: “Do you like Shakespeare?”
Sonnet No. 60, which we recorded exactly 21 years ago, became our initial spark and still makes people cry. Pure, unvarnished, yet full of hope, its sustaining melody follows the arpeggio in pulse of the steady surf: “Like as the waves make towards the pebbled shore, so do our minutes hasten to their end…” a melancholy sea breeze – the breath of our earth. All of this reminds me of the wildly meandering rivers of life. We can only guess what awaits us around the next bend.
It was a first take—Sven on piano, with me close by at the microphone. Silence filled the control room. Then, all the girls of the choir – Emmi, Caro, Nina – were in tears. It was a special and deeply touching moment – no perfection, just emotion – we left it exactly as it was.
Outside, the wind starts blowing. As always, in autumn, a rich minor vibe is present. So be it. It’s evening again. At the end of the day, there’s always a faint hint of anticipation for the next meeting, a sigh that turns into a smile. Our meetings always end far too soon – like the gentle flapping of fast-passing butterflies.
For me, Sven is like a strong branch of the tree of life with the soul of a child, the wisdom of the elder – full of curiosity, and seemingly inexhaustible creativity.
( Find out more about the Moby Dick Project and its paintings )
“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything”
Plato