The Holmes Archive of Electronic Music

Chapter 37, Contemporary Software and Synthesis

Episode 178
Chapter 37, Contemporary Software and Synthesis. Works Recommended from my book, Electronic and Experimental Music 
Welcome to the Archive of Electronic Music. This is Thom Holmes.
This podcast is produced as a companion to my book, Electronic and Experimental Music, published by Routledge. Each of these episodes corresponds to a chapter in the text and an associated list of recommended works, also called Listen in the text. They provide listening examples of vintage electronic works featured in the text.
The works themselves can be enjoyed without the book and I hope that they stand as a chronological survey of important works in the history of electronic music. Be sure to tune-in to other episodes of the podcast where we explore a wide range of electronic music in many styles and genres, all drawn from my archive of vintage recordings.
There is a complete playlist for this episode on the website for the podcast.
Let’s get started with the listening guide to Chapter 37, Contemporary Software and Synthesis from my book Electronic and Experimental music.
Playlist: CONTEMPORARY SOFTWARE AND SYNTHESIS
 
Time
Track Time
Start
Introduction –Thom Holmes
01:32
00:00
1.     Barry Truax, “Sonic Landscapes No. 3” (1977 revision). From the album Sonic Landscapes: Electronic and Computer Music (Melbourne Records, Canada). “A spatial environment for four computer synthesized soundtracks.”
15:16
01:36
2.     Robert Hood. “Spirit Levels” (1994) from Internal Empire. Written, performed, and produced by Robert Hood.
05:06
16:50
3.     Ikue Mori, “Abacus—Blue Parrot” (1996) from Garden. Composed, performed, produced, drum Machines, effects, Ikue Mori. 10:57
10:57
21:56
4.     Ghost, “Aramaic Barbarous Dawn” (2004) from Hypnotic Underworld.
03:15
32:52
5.     Outputmessage (Bernard Farley), “REM State” (2004) from Oneiros. Written, performed, and produced by Bernard Farley.
04:33
36:08
6.     TOKiMONSTA, “Let Me Trick You” (2010) from Cosmic Intoxication EP. Jennifer Lee is a producer from Los Angeles, California, USA.
03:27
40:40
7.     TOKiMONSTA, “Line to Dot” (2010) from Cosmic Intoxication EP. Jennifer Lee is a producer from Los Angeles, California, USA.
02:50
44:06
8.     Harold Budd, “Jane 1” (2014) from Jane 1-11. Composed, performed, produced by, Harold
07:42
47:00
9.     Sophie, “Elle” (2013) from Bipp/Elle. Electronics, vocals, composed and performed by Sophie Xeon. Sophie was primarily known for electronica dance music.
03:39
54:42
10.   William Basinski & Richard Chartier, “Divertissement” excerpt (2015). Composition and computer synthesis, Richard Chartier and William Basinski.
08:36
58:20
11.   Thom Holmes, “Numbers” (2017) from Intervals. A composition using recordings of numbers stations as the primary source, combined with audio processing and software synthesis.
05:57
01:06:54
12.   Ami Dang, “Conch and Crow” (2019) from Parted Plains. Sitar, electronics, audio processing, voice, Ami Dang.
06:00
01:12:50
13.   Jeff Mills, “Canis Major Overdensity” (2020) from The Universe: Galaxy 1. Written, performed, and produced by Jeff Mills.
07:42
01:18:48
14.   Pamela Z, “Ink” (2021). Commissioned and presented by VOLTI, artistic director Robert Geary; executive producer Barbara Heroux; performed by VOLTI. Music by Pamela Z.
18:08
01:26:32
15.   Ryuichi Sakamoto, “20220214” (2022) from 12. Composed, produced, performed by Ryuichi Sakamoto. In answer to a question about how these recordings were done, Sakamoto replied: “They were all recorded in the small studio that was in my temporary abode in Tokyo. Depending on the piece, two or four mics were used to record the piano.”
09:10
01:44:38
16.   QOA (Nina Corti), “Sauco” (2022) (04:22), “Liquen” (2022) (02:50), “Yatei” (2022) (03:04), “Muitu” (2022) (03:16) from SAUCO. Side 1 of this release from this Argentinian composer-performer. “Sonic journey crafted to cultivate poetic gestures amidst Fauna, Flora, Fungi, Mineral Waters, Wind, and Earth. Each track is an exploration of sound's constant transformation, akin to dragonfly particles swimming in the air. Like waves occupying a space in the spectrum, the compositions work with the movement, condensation, and lightness of the air.”
13:33
01:53:50
 
Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.
My Books/eBooks: Electronic and Experimental Music, sixth edition, Routledge 2020. Also, Sound Art: Concepts and Practices, first edition, Routledge 2022.
See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation.
For a transcript, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.
Original music by Thom Holmes can be found on iTunes and Bandcamp.
 

Chapter 36, Modern Turntablism

Episode 177
Chapter 36, Modern Turntablism. Works Recommended from my book, Electronic and Experimental Music 
Welcome to the Archive of Electronic Music. This is Thom Holmes.
This podcast is produced as a companion to my book, Electronic and Experimental Music, published by Routledge. Each of these episodes corresponds to a chapter in the text and an associated list of recommended works, also called Listen in the text. They provide listening examples of vintage electronic works featured in the text.
The works themselves can be enjoyed without the book and I hope that they stand as a chronological survey of important works in the history of electronic music. Be sure to tune-in to other episodes of the podcast where we explore a wide range of electronic music in many styles and genres, all drawn from my archive of vintage recordings.
There is a complete playlist for this episode on the website for the podcast.
Let’s get started with the listening guide to Chapter 36, Modern Turntablism from my book Electronic and Experimental music.
 
Playlist: TURNTABLISM
 
Time
Track Time
Start
Introduction –Thom Holmes
01:28
00:00
1.     Ottorino Respighi, “The Pines of Rome” (1924) recorded by The Milan Symphony Orchestra conducted by Cav. Lorenzo Molajoli in November 1928. Recorded bird sounds is heard at about 36 seconds into this section. This is a 78 RPM recording from 1928 that used a turntable to play the sounds during the performance.
01:44
01:36
2.     Paul Hindemith, “Trickaufnahmen” (1930). Recording made available by Mark Katz, author of Capturing Sound: How Technology has Changed Music (2004).
00:58
03:16
3.     John Cage, “Imaginary Landscape No. 1” (1939) from The 25-Year Retrospective Concert Of The Music Of John Cage (private, 1959).
08:37
04:12
4.     Milan Knížák, “Composition No. 1’ (1979) from Broken Music. Selection and assemblage of materials made by Walter Marchetti at Harpo's Bazaar, Via San Felice 22, Bologna.
03:26
12:46
5.     Grandmaster Flash And The Furious Five, “The Wheels Of Steel” (1981) from The Wheels of Steel. Medley Compiled by Sylvia Robinson; Produced by, Joey Robinson, Jr., Sylvia Robinson.
07:04
16:10
6.     Christian Marclay, “Smoker,” (1981) from the album Records. Christian Marclay, turntables and processing. Recorded on a cassette deck at home.
03:40
23:12
7.     DJ Shadow ... And The Groove Robbers, “Hindsight,” (1993) from In/Flux/ Hindsight.
06:55
26:56
8.     Afrika Bambaataa, “Looking For The Perfect Beat” (1985) from Looking For The Perfect Beat 1980-1985.
03:51
33:56
9.     Gen Ken Montgomery, “Droneskipclickloop” (excerpt, 1998) from Pondfloorsample. Using four CD players and curated sounds in the categories Drone, Skip, Click, and Loop. Mixed in real time at a performance at Experimental Intermedia Foundation (NY) on March 17, 1998.
07:19
37:48
10.   Crawling with Tarts, “Trecher Track”(1999) from Turntable Solos. By Michael Gendreau and Suzanne Dycus-Gendreau.
04:11
45:08
11.   Christian Marclay, from Record Without a Cover (excerpt, 1999). Marked with instructions, "Do not store in a protective package," my copy is a reissue of the disc first released in 1985, done by Japanese label Locus Solus. The naked record will naturally become increasingly damaged from shipping, storing, and playing the record, all becoming part of the work. In essence, the owner is implored to progressively destroy the release, allowing it to become scratched and bruised from accumulating damage that make each copy unique. My copy actually skips a lot. In the passage I am playing I often had to press the needle down a little bit to get through a skip. There is faintly recorded jazz music found on some of the disc, while other parts are pretty much composed only of surface noise.
04:31
49:18
12.   Yasunao Tone, “Part 1” (excerpt 1999) from Solo for Wounded CD. All sounds used were from scratched CD's.
03:54
53:50
13.   Philip Jeck, “Untitled 2,” (2002) from Soaked. Turntables, Philip Jeck, electronics, Jacob Kirkegaard. Recorded live at the Electronic Lounge, Moers Festival, Germany.
04:30
57:42
14.   Maria Chavez, “Jebus” (2004) from Tour Sampler, recorded in Houston, Texas. Turntables and electronics by Maria Chavez.
04:59
01:02:12
15.   Marina Rosenfeld, “Three” (2005) from Joy of Fear. Piano, turntables, dubplates, electronics, sound processing], vocals, Marina Rosenfeld. She said, “This record couldn’t exist without the small collection of one-off ‘acetate records’ (dub plates) that I’ve been making since 1997, when I first encountered Richard Simpson and his disc-cutting lathe in Los Angeles.”
05:47
01:07:12
16.   Luc Ferrari and Otomo Yoshihide, Slow Landing” (2008) from ‎Les Archives Sauvées Des Eaux. Composed by Luc Ferrari and Turntables, Electronics, prepared phono cartridges by Otomo Yoshihide.
10:40
01:12:58
 
Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.
My Books/eBooks: Electronic and Experimental Music, sixth edition, Routledge 2020. Also, Sound Art: Concepts and Practices, first edition, Routledge 2022.
See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation.
For a transcript, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.
Original music by Thom Holmes can be found on iTunes and Bandcamp.
 

Chapter 35, Live Electronic Music— Historical Practices

Episode 176
Chapter 35, Live Electronic Music— Historical Practices. Works Recommended from my book, Electronic and Experimental Music 
Welcome to the Archive of Electronic Music. This is Thom Holmes.
This podcast is produced as a companion to my book, Electronic and Experimental Music, published by Routledge. Each of these episodes corresponds to a chapter in the text and an associated list of recommended works, also called Listen in the text. They provide listening examples of vintage electronic works featured in the text.
The works themselves can be enjoyed without the book and I hope that they stand as a chronological survey of important works in the history of electronic music. Be sure to tune-in to other episodes of the podcast where we explore a wide range of electronic music in many styles and genres, all drawn from my archive of vintage recordings.
There is a complete playlist for this episode on the website for the podcast.
Let’s get started with the listening guide to Chapter 35, Live Electronic Music— Historical Practices from my book Electronic and Experimental music.
 
Playlist: LIVE ELECTRONIC MUSIC—HISTORICAL PRACTICES
 
Time
Track Time
Start
Introduction –Thom Holmes
01:34
00:00
1.     Karlheinz Stockhausen, “Mikrophonie I” (1964) from Mikrophonie I · Mikrophonie II.   Mikrophonist 1, Johannes Fritsch; Mikrophonist 2, Harald Bojé; Electronic Filters and Potentiometers 1, Karlheinz Stockhausen; Electronic Filters and Potentiometers 2, Hugh Davies, Jaap Spek; Tam-tam, Aloys Kontarsky; Tam-tam, Fred Alings.  Brüsseler Version 1965 recorded at WDR, Cologne.
07:24
01:42
2.     AMM, “In The Realm Of Nothing Whatever” (1966) from AMMMusic 1966. Cello, Accordion, Clarinet, Transistor Radio, Lawrence Sheaff; Electric Guitar, Transistor Radio, Keith Rowe; Music by, Cardew, Prévost, Rowe, Sheaff, Gare; Percussion, Eddie Prévost; Piano, Cello, Transistor Radio, Cornelius Cardew; Tenor Saxophone, Violin, Lou Gare. Recorded on the 8th and 27th June 1966 at Sound Techniques.
13:22
09:06
3.     Musica Elettronica Viva (MEV), “SpaceCraft” (1967) from MEV 40. Mbira Thumb Piano Mounted On A Ten-litre Agip Motor Oil Can, Contact Microphones, Amplified Trumpet, Voice, Alvin Curran; Amplified Glass Plate With Attached Springs, Contact Microphones, Frederic Rzewski; Homemade Synthesizer from Electronic Organ Parts, Allan Bryant; Moog Modular Synthesizer, Contact Microphones, Voice, Richard Teitelbaum; Tenor Saxophone, Ivan Vandor; Voice, Carol Plantamura.
30:45
22:26
4.     David Tudor, “Rainforest Version One” (1968) from Rainforest. Live electronics, David Tudor, Takehisa Kosugi. Used transducers to amplify objects. Recorded by Rob Miller.
21:50
53:10
5.     Karlheinz Stockhausen, “Kurzwellen” (1968), excerpt from Festival of Hits. Composed By, Mixed By, Electronics, Filters, Potentiometers, Karlheinz Stockhausen; Electronium, Harald Bojé; Tamtam, Alfred Alings, Rolf Gehlhaar; Piano, Aloys Kontarsky; Electric Viola, Johannes G. Fritsch. This is the opening of this long work, excerpted for this strange collection of greatest “hits” by Stockhausen (you had to be in 1970 to understand this). Kurzwellen is a piece where the musicians need to improvise and react to signals they receive on randomly tuned shortwave radios. This is from the Cologne recording made in the Rhenus studio in Godorf for the Cologne Radio (WDR, Westdeutscher Rundfunk Köln) on the 8th and 9th of April 1969 (53'30), which was record 2 of the original 2-record set. By the way, this ensemble also featured the Electronium Pi, made by Hohner beginning in 1952. It was a monophonic, electronic keyboard instrument and was an add-on instrument for the piano mounted under the keyboard, which is the model used by Stockhausen. His keyboardist, while Harald Bojé used the accordion-like model.
06:19
01:14:56
6.     The Music Improvisation Company, “Tuck” (1970) from The Music Improvisation Company. Electric Guitar, Derek Bailey; Live Electronics, Hugh Davies; Percussion, Jamie Muir; Soprano Saxophone, Evan Parker.
03:00
01:21:14
7.     David Tudor, “Rainforest IV” (1973) from Rainforest IV.  Composed in 1973 by David Tudor; performed by Composers Inside Electronics (David Tudor, Martin Kalve, Philip Edelstein, Ralph Jones, Bill Viola, John Driscoll). Recorded at the exhibition "Für Augen und Ohren - Von der Spieluhr zum akustischen (Environment (For eyes and ears - from the mechanical clock to the acoustic environment)" at the Akademie der Künste, Berlin, January 1980.
25:12
01:24:24
8.     Maryanne Amacher, “"Head Rhythm 1" And "Plaything 2" (1999) from Sound Characters (Making The Third Ear). Electroacoustic composer of sound installations, best known for her incorporation of otoacoustic emissions -- sounds that seem to be emanating from inside one's own head. This track plays with that concept and sets your brain up to experience itself, so to speak.
10:04
01:49:36
9.     Caroline Park, “Grain 5” (2011) from Grain. This is a cassette release by Park, often known her for generative composition work and electronic improvisations based on parameters that she defines. Recorded, performed by Caroline Park.
09:05
01:59:32
10.   Caterina Barbieri. “This Causes Consciousness To Fracture” (2017) from Patterns Of Consciousness.  Italian composer and musician from Bologna. This album was created using analog synthesis. Barbieri has said, “In Patterns of Consciousness I was interested in exploring the power of sound on our consciousness. I wanted to explore how a pattern creates a certain state of consciousness and how the gradual transformation of that pattern can affect that state of consciousness. I believe that sound is a tool for the exploration, reconfiguration and expansion of human perceptions.” I find this to be in a similar psychological vein as the Amacher work also heard in this episode.
22:44
02:08:36
11.   Sarah Davachi, “First Cadence” (2021) from Antiphonals. Composed, recorded, performed, Mellotron (bass flute, recorder, oboe), Tape Echo, Sarah Davachi.
05:48
02:31:20
12.   Asha Tamirisa, “Live Performance,”(2023) at the Waterworks 2023: Festival of Experimental Sound. Laptop synthesis, snare drums, Asha Tamirisa. Soundtrack for a video recorded by Wenhua Shi & Nick Stevens, video editing by Nick Stevens, and audio recording and mixing, Matthew Azevedo.
25:10
02:37:02
 
Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.
My Books/eBooks: Electronic and Experimental Music, sixth edition, Routledge 2020. Also, Sound Art: Concepts and Practices, first edition, Routledge 2022.
See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation.
For a transcript, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.
Original music by Thom Holmes can be found on iTunes and Bandcamp.

Chapter 34, Live Electronic Music— Foundations

Episode 175
Chapter 34, Live Electronic Music— Foundations. Works Recommended from my book, Electronic and Experimental Music 
Welcome to the Archive of Electronic Music. This is Thom Holmes.
This podcast is produced as a companion to my book, Electronic and Experimental Music, published by Routledge. Each of these episodes corresponds to a chapter in the text and an associated list of recommended works, also called Listen in the text. They provide listening examples of vintage electronic works featured in the text.
The works themselves can be enjoyed without the book and I hope that they stand as a chronological survey of important works in the history of electronic music. Be sure to tune-in to other episodes of the podcast where we explore a wide range of electronic music in many styles and genres, all drawn from my archive of vintage recordings.
There is a complete playlist for this episode on the website for the podcast.
Let’s get started with the listening guide to Chapter 34, Live Electronic Music— Foundations from my book Electronic and Experimental music.
 
Playlist: LIVE ELECTRONIC MUSIC FOUNDATIONS
 
Time
Track Time
Start
Introduction –Thom Holmes
01:36
00:00
1.     John Cage, “Radio Music” (1956) from John Cage. Performed on radios by Gianni-Emilio Simonetti, Juan Hidalgo, Walter Marchetti. Each of these performers used a Panasonic multi-band portable Radio Model RF-1600 B receiver.
04:33
01:40
2.     John Cage, “Cartridge Music” (1960) from Music For Merce Cunningham. Phonograph Cartridges, Amplified Small Objects, David Tudor, Michael Pugliese, Takehisa Kosugi. Recorded at Paris, France in September 1988.
18:53
06:12
3.     Alvin Lucier, “Music for Solo Performer” (excerpt) (1965). Live recording from 1975. Brainwave amplification performed by Alvin Lucier; electronics, Nicolas Collins.
11:46
25:04
4.     Gordon Mumma, “Horn” (1965) from Live-Electronic Music. Electronic modification of horn sounds. Horn, Gordon Mumma; Cybersonic console, designed by Mumma, operated by William Ribbens; Recorded by George Cacioppo; Voice, George Cacioppo, Robert Ashley. For a hornist, two voices, and a cybersonic console operator.
09:36
36:48
5.     John Cage, “Variations V” (1965). Performance on November 11, 1966, Théâtre de Champs Élysées, Paris. Performers, John Cage, David Tudor, Gordon Mumma.
39:57
46:10
6.     David Tudor, “Bandoneon ! (A Combine)” (1966) from The Art Of David Tudor 1963–1992. Composed and performed by David Tudor.
14:15
01:26:43
7.     David Behrman, “Runthrough” (1967–68) from Wave Train. For homemade synthesizers and photocell mixers. Homemade Synthesizer, Photocell Mixer, Alvin Lucier, David Behrman, Gordon Mumma, Robert Ashley.
12:11
01:40:26
8.     Gordon Mumma, “Telepos” (1972) from Music For Merce 1952-2009.  Recorded live on February 2, 1972, La Fenice, Venice. Controlled Sounds Activated By Dancers With Telemetry-accelerometer Belts, Gordon Mumma.
18:38
01:52:34
9.     Pauline Oliveros, Rehearsals for “In Memoriam, Nikola Tesla” (excerpt) (1972). Recorded live September 1972, Köln, Germany.  No performers listed.
11:56
02:11:06
10.   Robert Ashley, “Automatic Writing” (1974–79) from Automatic Writing.  Electronics, Polymoog, Voice, Words, Produce, Recorded, Mixed by Robert Ashley; Mixing Assistance, Rich LePage; Switching Circuit Designed and Built by Paul DeMarinis; Translated by Monsa Norberg; Voice, Mimi Johnson.
46:00
02:23:04
 
Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.
My Books/eBooks: Electronic and Experimental Music, sixth edition, Routledge 2020. Also, Sound Art: Concepts and Practices, first edition, Routledge 2022.
See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation.
For a transcript, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.
Original music by Thom Holmes can be found on iTunes and Bandcamp.
 

Chapter 33, Digital Synthesizers and Samplers

Episode 174
Chapter 33, Digital Synthesizers and Samplers. Works Recommended from my book, Electronic and Experimental Music 
Welcome to the Archive of Electronic Music. This is Thom Holmes.
This podcast is produced as a companion to my book, Electronic and Experimental Music, published by Routledge. Each of these episodes corresponds to a chapter in the text and an associated list of recommended works, also called Listen in the text. They provide listening examples of vintage electronic works featured in the text.
The works themselves can be enjoyed without the book and I hope that they stand as a chronological survey of important works in the history of electronic music. Be sure to tune-in to other episodes of the podcast where we explore a wide range of electronic music in many styles and genres, all drawn from my archive of vintage recordings.
There is a complete playlist for this episode on the website for the podcast.
Let’s get started with the listening guide to Chapter 33, Digital Synthesizers and Samplers from my book Electronic and Experimental music.
 
Playlist: DIGITAL SYNTHESIZERS AND SAMPLERS
 
Time
Track Time
Start
Introduction –Thom Holmes
01:38
00:00
1.     Jon Appleton, “Syntrophia”(1978) from Music For Synclavier And Other Digital Systems. Composed and performed on the Synclavier, Dartmouth Digital Synthesizer, Jon Appleton.
08:55
01:40
2.     Claude Larsen, “Nitrogen” (1980) from Synthesis. Sounds a bit like “Oxygen” by Jarre from 1976. Programmed, performed, Fairlight CMI Music, Roland System 700, Oberheim TVS-1 Four Voice, Polymoog, Roland MC 8 Micro-Composer, Syntovox vocoder, Claude Larson.
02:31
10:36
3.     Eberhard Schoener, “Fairlight 80” (1980) from Events. Featured the Fairlight CMI played by Schoener and vocals by Clare Torry.
04:20
13:04
4.     Eberhard Schoener, “Events - A La Recherche Du Temps Perdu” (1980) from Events. Mellotron, Violin, Piano, Moog, Oberheim, Fairlight CMIsynthesizers, Eberhard Schoener;  Fairlight CMI, Morris Pert; Gong, Percussion (Gede, Kempli, Rejong), Furst Agong Raka; Gong, Percussion (Gender, Lanang, Rejong), Ketut Tama; Gong, Percussion (Wadong, Rejong), Rai Raka; Percussion, Morris Pert; Fender electric piano, Roger Munnis; tenor saxophone, Olaf Kübler; Drums,  Evert Fraterman, Pete York; Electric Bass, Steve Richardson; Electric Guitar, Ian Bairnson.
11:07
17:26
5.     Klaus Schulze, “Death Of An Analogue” (1980) from Dig It. All music played on the Crumar GDS digital synthesizer/computer. All percussion by F.S. Drum Inc. and GDS.
12:20
28:31
6.     Klaus Schulze, “The Looper Isn't A Hooker” (1980) from Dig It. All music played on the Crumar GDS digital synthesizer/computer. All percussion by F.S. Drum Inc. and GDS.
07:05
40:52
7.     Joel Chadabe and Jan Williams, “Song Without Words” (1981) from Rhythms For Computer And Percussion. "The equipment used in RHYTHMS is a portable minicomputer/digital synthesizer system designed and manufactured by New England Digital Corporation in Norwich, Vermont, expressly for making music.” This was an early Synclavier without a keyboard controller. Synclavier digital synthesizer, Joel Chadabe; Percussion, Vibraphone, Marimba, Slit Drum, Log, Wood Block, Temple Block, Cowbell, Singing Bowls, Jan Williams.
07:24
47:54
8.     Don Muro, “Deanna Of The Fields” (1981) from Anthology. Vocals, Piano, Electric Piano, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Synthesizer, Korg M1 Music Workstation, Bass, Drums, Percussion, Don Muro.
02:52
55:18
9.     Nervous Germans, “Hometown” (1981) from Nervösen Deutschen. Bass, Producer, Micki Mäuser; Drums, Udo Dahmen; Guitar, Manni Holländer; Vocals, Casio VL Tone micro keyboard, Grant Stevens.
05:15
58:10
10.   Tuxedomoon, “Blind” from Time To Lose, Blind. Effects, Guitar, Peter Principle; Casio M-10, Blaine L. Reininger; Vocals, Moog, Soprano Saxophone, Steven Brown; Vocals, Winston Tong.
07:44
01:03:26
11.   Herbie Hancock, “Rough” (1983) from Future Shock. Fairlight CMI, AlphaSyntauri, Emulator, Herbie Hancock; Background Vocals, Bernard Fowler, Grandmixer D.ST., Nicky Skopelitis, Roger Trilling; Bass, Bill Laswell; Drums, Sly Dunbar; Lead Vocals, Lamar Wright; Prophet-5, Michael Beinhorn; Turntables, Voice, Grandmixer D.ST.
06:54
01:11:00
12.   Wendy Carlos, “Genesis,” “Eden,” and “I.C. (Intergalactic Communications)” (1984) from Wendy Carlos' Digital Moonscapes. Programmed All Sounds programmed and performed on the Crumar GDS/Synergy digital synthesizer, Wendy Carlos.
15:20
01:17:50
13.   Ron Kuivila, “Household Object” (1984) from Fidelity. Casio VL toneand homemade electronics, Ron Kuivila.
09:34
01:33:20
14.   Lejaren Hiller, “Expo ’85” (1985) from Computer Music Retrospective. Four short pieces highlight the versatility of the Kurzweil K250: “Circus Piece - A Cadential Process” (4:04), “Transitions - A Hierarchical Process” (2:12), “Toy Harmonium - A Statistical Process” (1:41), “Mix Or Match - A Tune Generating Process (5 Examples)” (3:44).
11:55
01:42:52
15.   Third World, “Can't Get You (Out Of My Mind)” (1985) from Sense Of Purpose. Yamaha DX7, Prophet 5, PFR Yamaha, Grand Piano Yamaha Acoustic, Organ Hammond B3, Clavinet Mohner D6, Percussion, Vocals, Michael "Ibo" Cooper; Backing Vocals, Glenn Ricks, Meekaaeel; Bass, Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals, Percussion, Richie "Bassie" Daley; Drums Yamaha Acoustic Drums, Electronic Drums Simmons, Drum Machine D.M.X., Drum Machine Linn Drum Machine, Percussion, Backing Vocals, Willie Stewart; Keyboards, Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Harmonica, Acoustic Guitar The Washburn Electro Acoustic, Vocals, Percussion, Stephen "Cat" Coore; Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Bill "Bunny Rugs" Clarke; Percussion, Neil Clarke; Percussion, Binghi Drums, Junior Wedderburn, Tschaka Tonge.
03:37
01:54:46
16.   George Todd, “Sound Sculptures” (1985) from Music For Kurzweil And Synclavier. Synclavier Digital Music System, George Todd.
09:02
01:58:22
17.   Russ Freeman, “Easter Island” (1986) from Nocturnal Playground. Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Guitar Synthesizer, Keyboard Bass, Emulator II, Linn 9000 Drum programming, Russ Freeman; Drums, Percussion, David Renick; Percussion, Emulator II programming, Steve Reid; Alto Saxophone, Brandon Fields.
05:30
02:07:22
18.   Donald Steven of G.E.M.S., “Images - Refractions Of Time And Space (1986)” from Group Of The Electronic Music Studio - McGill University. Yamaha DX7, Laurie Radford; Bass, John Oliver; Electric Flute, Jill Rothberg; Percussion, Elliot Polsky, François Gauthier.
11:42
02:12:52
19.   Jane Brockman, “Kurzweil Etudes” (1-3) (1986) from Music For Kurzweil And Synclavier. Kurzweil K250, Jane Brockman.
10:19
02:24:32
20.   Richard Burmer, “Across The View” (1987) from Western Spaces. Emulator II plus an analog synth, Richard Burmer.
04:38
02:34:48
21.   Sonny Sharrock Band, “Kate (Variations On A Theme By Kate Bush)” (1990) from Highlife.  Electronics, Korg M1, Korg Wave Station, Dave Snider; Bass, Charles Baldwin; Drums, Abe Speller, Lance Carter; Guitar, Sonny Sharrock.
05:52
02:39:32
22.   Second Decay, “Taste” (1994) from Taste. Produced with the Roland Compu Music CMU-800R workstation and without MIDI; Simmons Electronic Drums,Thomas V.. Other synths used: ARP Odyssey, ARP 2600, PPG Wave 2.0, Emulator I and II, Roland SH-101, SH-7, CR-78, TR-808, MC-4, TR-606, EMS Synthi A, Solina String, Mellotron, Crumar Performer, Teisco 110F, Wasp, Linn LM-1, SCI Pro-One, Minimoog, Korg Mono-Poly, SQ-10, Elektro Harmonix Minisynth, Vocoder and effect devices, Compact Phasing A, Roland Echos RE 201, SRE 555. 
04:20
02:45:18
 
Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.
My Books/eBooks: Electronic and Experimental Music, sixth edition, Routledge 2020. Also, Sound Art: Concepts and Practices, first edition, Routledge 2022.
See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation.
For a transcript, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.
Original music by Thom Holmes can be found on iTunes and Bandcamp.

Chapter 32, Other Analog Synthesizers

Episode 173
Chapter 32, Other Analog Synthesizers. Works Recommended from my book, Electronic and Experimental Music 
Welcome to the Archive of Electronic Music. This is Thom Holmes.
This podcast is produced as a companion to my book, Electronic and Experimental Music, published by Routledge. Each of these episodes corresponds to a chapter in the text and an associated list of recommended works, also called Listen in the text. They provide listening examples of vintage electronic works featured in the text.
The works themselves can be enjoyed without the book and I hope that they stand as a chronological survey of important works in the history of electronic music. Be sure to tune-in to other episodes of the podcast where we explore a wide range of electronic music in many styles and genres, all drawn from my archive of vintage recordings.
There is a complete playlist for this episode on the website for the podcast.
Let’s get started with the listening guide to Chapter 32, Other Analog Synthesizers from my book Electronic and Experimental music.
 
Playlist: OTHER EARLY SYNTHESIZER RECORDINGS (PRE-MIDI AND NOT MOOG)
 
Time
Track Time
Start
Introduction –Thom Holmes
01:36
00:00
1.     Raymond Scott, “Space Mystery” (1963). Used Scott’s Electronium, a custom-made analog synthesizer/sequencer.
05:08
01:42
2.     Pauline Oliveros, “Alien Bog” (1967). Used a prototype Buchla 100 modular synthesizer at Mills College.
33:13
06:53
3.     John Eaton, “Soliloquy For Syn-Ket” (1973) from Electro-Vibrations (The Music Of John Eaton). Used the Synket, an Italian-made modular synthesizer of which only six were ever made.
06:38
40:06
4.     John Keating, “Earthshine” (1975) from Space Experience 2. Featured the ARP 2600 and Pro- Soloist.
04:09
46:46
5.     Patrick Gleeson, “Saturn, The Bringer Of Old Age” (1976) from Beyond The Sun: An Electronic Portrait Of Holst's The Planets. Used Eµ Systems Polyphonic synthesizer.
09:31
51:02
6.     Jean Michel Jarre, “Oxygene, Part IV” (1976) from Oxygene. Used the ARP Odyssey, EMS Synthi AKS, EMS Synthi VCS3, and RMI Harmonic Synthesizer and Keyboard Computer.
03:07
01:00:34
7.     Bennie Maupin, “Crystals” (1978) from Moonscapes. Featured the E-mu Modular Synthesizer programmed by Patrick Gleeson, who owned Different Fur Studios in the San Francisco area and owned E-mu synthesizers (see previous track for an example of the E-mu Systems Polyphonic synthesizer). Here, we have a different treatment of the same instrument by jazz woodwind player Maupin, who played Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Flute, Marimba, Glockenspiel, E-mu Synthesizer, and Computone Synthesizer Winddriver on this album. I picked this track because this is most stripped-down arrangement featuring only Maupin playing the E-mu synthesizer and other instruments.
01:18
01:03:44
8.     Pere Ubu, “On the Surface” (1978) from Dub Housing. Allen Ravenstein used the EML Electrocomp 101 modular synthesizer as a member of this band.
02:37
01:05:02
9.     Sylvester, “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” (1978) from Step II. One of the few albums to feature EML (Electronic Music Laboratories) Modular Synthesizer plus String synthesizer, Electro-comp 101 synthesizer and 200 expander unit, Oberheim DS-2 Sequencer, Effects, Pat Cowley; organ, Electric piano, Clavinet, Michael C. Finden; Percussion, David Frazier; Producer, Lead Vocals, Piano, Sylvester. EML was a Connecticut-based synth maker that was around from about 1970 to 1984. They were best-known for their Electro-comp modular synths. The 101 was a duophonic semi-modular 44-note synth and the model 200 was an expander unit that added ring modulation, spring reverb, and high and low filters to the setup. It was interesting to hear this Moroder-like pulsating synth sound coming from something other than a Moog.
06:34
01:07:40
10.   Isao Tomita, “The Sea Named Solaris” (1978) from Kosmos. Used the Roland System 700, Roland Strings RS- 202, Roland Revo 30, in addition to Moog Modular III, Moog System 55, and Polymoog synthesizers.
12:28
01:14:11
11.   Moebius, “Song For Lya” (1979) from Moebius. Serge, Oberheim, and Minimoog synthesizers, vocals, Bryce Robbley; Serge, Oberheim synthesizers, Doug Lynner; Violin, John Stubbs. Listen closely to tune-out the parts by the Odyssey and Minimoog and you will experience a lovely bed laid down by the Serge. Moebius had three members, one a violinist, heard in this tune blending with the Serge. Although the group used a Sennheiser vocoder on another track, the vocal distortion on this track may have actually been the voice processed with the Serge.
03:15
01:26:42
12.   Pascal Languirand, “O Nos Omnes” (1980) from De Harmonia Universalia. Features the Farfisa Synthorchestra, the famous Italian’s company entry into the string synthesizer fray. The Syntorchestra was split into two keyboard sections, strings (polyphonic), and mono synth voices. It was a hybrid organ and synthesizer and used much by Klaus Schulze and other German electronic musicians for the short time that it was available from 1975 to 1978. Nine slider controls were positioned next to a 3-octave keyboard and provided some “chaotic” control episodes for this much beloved and rare keyboard.
07:15
01:29:56
13.   Henry Kucharzyk, “Play Dot Sam” (1981) from Walk The Line - Three New Works By Henry Kucharzyk. This work is performed at the Samson Box at the Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA), Stanford University, Palo Alto, California. This track is an escapee from the 1970s but nonetheless fills a void in that period when commercial synthesizers were moving to digital technology and were quite expensive. The Samson Box was a computer-based digital synthesizer created in 1977 by Peter Samson, who worked at the university. “Samson” was formally known as the “Systems Concepts Digital Synthesizer. It was a one-off special-purpose dedicated audio computer designed for use by student composers at Center for Computer Research in Musical and Acoustics (CCRMA) at Stanford University.
03:05
01:37:08
14.   Terry Riley, “The Ethereal Time Shadow” (1981-82) from Music from Mills. Used two Prophet V synthesizers, tuned to just intonation and employing sequencing.
08:51
01:40:12
 
Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.
My Books/eBooks: Electronic and Experimental Music, sixth edition, Routledge 2020. Also, Sound Art: Concepts and Practices, first edition, Routledge 2022.
See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation.
For a transcript, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.
Original music by Thom Holmes can be found on iTunes and Bandcamp.
 

Chapter 31, ARP Analog Synthesizers

Episode 172
Chapter 31, ARP Analog Synthesizers. Works Recommended from my book, Electronic and Experimental Music 
Welcome to the Archive of Electronic Music. This is Thom Holmes.
This podcast is produced as a companion to my book, Electronic and Experimental Music, published by Routledge. Each of these episodes corresponds to a chapter in the text and an associated list of recommended works, also called Listen in the text. They provide listening examples of vintage electronic works featured in the text.
The works themselves can be enjoyed without the book and I hope that they stand as a chronological survey of important works in the history of electronic music. Be sure to tune-in to other episodes of the podcast where we explore a wide range of electronic music in many styles and genres, all drawn from my archive of vintage recordings.
There is a complete playlist for this episode on the website for the podcast.
Let’s get started with the listening guide to Chapter 31, ARP Analog Synthesizers from my book Electronic and Experimental music.
 
Playlist: MUSIC MADE WITH ARP ANALOG SYNTHESIZERS
 
Time
Track Time
Start
Introduction –Thom Holmes
01:34
00:00
1.     Elias Tanenbaum, “Contrasts” (1971) from ARP Art. Used the ARP Odyssey.
05:03
01:40
2.     ARP demonstration. Roger Powell and Harry Coon, The ARP 2500—How it Sounds, side 2 from The Electronic Sounds Of The Arp Synthesizer 2600 And 2500 (1972 ARP Instruments). Vinyl, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM. Music by Harry Coon and an improvisation by Roger Powell.
06:19
06:46
3.     ARP demonstration. Roger Powell and Harry Coon, The ARP 2600—How it Works, side 1 from The Electronic Sounds Of The Arp Synthesizer 2600 And 2500 (1972 ARP Instruments). Vinyl, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM. Narrated and all music by Roger Powell.
07:38
13:02
4.     Roger Powell, “Ictus: Primordial Pulse,” (4:57), “Lumia: Dance Of The Nebulae” (5:14), “Fourneau Cosmique: The Alchemical Furnace Of Cleopatra,” (7:42) (1973) from Cosmic Furnace. Featured the ARP 2500, ARP Soloist, ARP 2600, and ARP Odyssey.
17:50
20:40
5.     Bobbi Humphrey, “My Little Girl” (1974) from Satin Doll. Featured Larry Mizell on ARP synthesizers.
06:38
38:32
6.     Herbie Hancock, “Palm Grease” (1974) from Thrust. Featured the ARP Odyssey, ARP Soloist, ARP 2600, and ARP String synthesizer.
10:35
45:16
7.     John Keating, “Starcluster” (1975) from Space Experience 2.  Featured the ARP 2600 and Pro- Soloist.
03:44
55:50
8.     Joseph Byrd, “The Stars and Stripes Forever” (1976) from Yankee Transcendoodle. Featured the ARP Odyssey.
03:22
59:34
9.     Charles Earland, “Sons of the Gods” (1976) from Odyssey. Featured the ARP Pro- Soloist, ARP Axe, ARP String Ensemble, Clavinet and organ.
05:44
01:02:58
10.   Jean Michel Jarre, “Oxygene, Parts I, II, and III” (1976) from Oxygene. Used ARP and other synthesizers.
18:40
01:08:39
11.   Michel Magne, “Trip Psychiatrique” (1978) from Elements, La Terre(1978). Featured the ARP Odyssey, ARP Omni Polyphonique, and ARP 2600.
04:35
01:27:22
12.   Mike Mandel, “Pyramids” from Sky Music (1978). Featured the ARP Odyssey, ARP Pro Soloist, and ARP Omni II.
05:59
01:36:51
13.   Eliane Radigue, “Triptych Part 2” (1978) from Triptypch. Composed and performed on the ARP 2500 modular synthesizer.
11:56
01:37:52
 
Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.
My Books/eBooks: Electronic and Experimental Music, sixth edition, Routledge 2020. Also, Sound Art: Concepts and Practices, first edition, Routledge 2022.
See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation.
For a transcript, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.
Original music by Thom Holmes can be found on iTunes and Bandcamp.

Chapter 30, EMS Analog Synthesizers

Episode 171
Chapter 30, EMS Analog Synthesizers. Works Recommended from my book, Electronic and Experimental Music 
Welcome to the Archive of Electronic Music. This is Thom Holmes.
This podcast is produced as a companion to my book, Electronic and Experimental Music, published by Routledge. Each of these episodes corresponds to a chapter in the text and an associated list of recommended works, also called Listen in the text. They provide listening examples of vintage electronic works featured in the text.
The works themselves can be enjoyed without the book and I hope that they stand as a chronological survey of important works in the history of electronic music. Be sure to tune-in to other episodes of the podcast where we explore a wide range of electronic music in many styles and genres, all drawn from my archive of vintage recordings.
There is a complete playlist for this episode on the website for the podcast.
Let’s get started with the listening guide to Chapter 30, EMS Analog Synthesizers from my book Electronic and Experimental music.
 
Playlist: MUSIC MADE WITH EMS ANALOG SYNTHESIZERS
 
Time
Track Time
Start
Introduction –Thom Holmes
01:34
00:00
1.     Delia Derbyshire, “Dance From ‘Noah’ " (1970). Composed for a television program. Used the EMS VCS3.
00:55
01:44
2.     Selections from the demonstration disc, EMS Synthi And The Composer (1971). Excerpts from Harrison Birtwistle, “Medusa,” Peter Zinovieff, “January Tensions,” and Tristram Cary, “Continuum.”
06:15
02:34
3.     Peter Zinovieff and Harrison Birtwistle, “Chronometer” (1971–2). Featured both the EMS Synthi VCS3 and modified sound recordings of the ticking of Big Ben and the chimes of Wells Cathedral clock.
24:23
08:48
4.     Mike Hankinson, “Toccata And Fugue In D Minor” (Bach) (1972) from The Classical Synthesizer. South African record realized using the Putney (EMS) VCS3.
07:04
33:06
5.     Electrophon, “Arrival of the Queen of Sheba” (1973) from In a Covent Garden (1973).  Electrophon Music was described as the studio where the electronics were recorded and produced in the UK by Radiophonic musicians Brian Hodgson, Dudley Simpson. A variety of synthesizers were used including the obscure EMS Synthi Range, a multi-effect instrument.
03:04
40:10
6.     The Eden Electronic Ensemble, “Elite Syncopations” (Joplin) (1974) from The Eden Electronic Ensemble Plays Joplin. Realized using the EMS VCS3 and Minimoog synthesizers.
04:53
43:12
7.     Peter Zinovieff, “A Lollipop For Papa” (1974).  Realized with the EMS Synthi AKS.
06:26
48:04
8.     Peter Zinovieff and Hans Werner Henze, “Tristan” (Long Section) (1975). Tape accompaniment realized with the EMS Synthi AKS.
07:40
54:40
9.     J.D. Robb, “Poem of Summer” (1976) from Rhythmania And Other Electronic Musical Compositions. Realized using the EMS Synthi AKS.
02:04
01:02:18
10.   J.D. Robb, “Synthi Waltz” (1976) from Rhythmania And Other Electronic Musical Compositions. Realized using the EMS Synthi AKS and Synthi Sequencer 256 (digital sequencer).
01:52
01:04:24
11.   Bruno Spoerri, “Hymn Of Taurus (Taurus Is Calling You!)” (1978) from Voice Of Taurus. Realized using a host of equipment, including a few EMS instruments: EMS Synthi 100, EMS VCS3, EMS AKS, EMS Vocoder 2000, Alto Saxophone with EMS Pitch-to-voltage Converter & Random Generator, plus the Lyricon, Prophet-5 Polyphonic Synthesizer, ARP Omni & Odyssey, Minimoog, Moog Taurus Bass Pedal, RMI Keyboard Computer, Ondes Martenot , Vako Polyphonic Orchestron, Bode Frequency Shifter, AMS Tape Phase Simulator, Echoplex, Roland Echo, Roland Rhythm Box, Bruno Spoerri.
02:48
01:06:16
12.   Henry Sweitzer, “Open Windows” (1979) from Te Deum.  Realized with the EMS Synthi AKS.
11:11
01:09:02
13.   Eduard Artemyev, Yuri Bogdanov, Vladimir Martynov, “Le Vent Dans La Plaine,” “Io Mi Son Giovinetta,” and “Why Ask You?” (1980) from Metamorphoses. Composed and realized using the EMS Synthi 100, a large synthesizer unit combining several EMS3 models and connecting circuitry.
08:38
01:20:14
14.   Jean-Michel Jarre, “Les Chants Magnétiques,” (side 1) (1981) from Les Chants Magnétiques. Portions realized with the EMS Synthi AKS, EMS Synthi VCS3, and EMS Vocoder 1000.
17:58
01:28:52
15.   Alessandro Cortini and Merzbow, “AAMC” (2017) from Alessandro Cortini And Merzbow. Recent recording with all sounds realized using a vintage EMS Synthi AKS.
04:49
01:46:40
 
Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.
My Books/eBooks: Electronic and Experimental Music, sixth edition, Routledge 2020. Also, Sound Art: Concepts and Practices, first edition, Routledge 2022.
See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation.
For a transcript, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.
Original music by Thom Holmes can be found on iTunes and Bandcamp.