The Holmes Archive of Electronic Music

Crosscurrents in Elektronische Musik of Germany

Episode 97
Crosscurrents in Elektronische Musik from Germany
Playlist
Josef Anton Riedl, “Studie 1b, 1a” (1951) from Zeitgenössische Musik In Der Bundesrepublik Deutschland 3 (1950-1960) (1982 Deutscher Musikrat). Early example of German tape composition, categorized as musique concrète as it includes more than purely electronic sounds, but the edited and processed sounds of human voices and instruments (a harp, string bass) as well. But it’s the vocal utterances and the way they were edited for effect with unpredictable silences that makes this work stand out for me. Riedl completed this after visiting and hearing musique concrète in France. After that, the Cologne studio came into existence and provided a new means to create electronic music not with microphones, but directly through electronic signals on tape. Riedl switched from making musique concrète to elektronische music. Realization by Riedl in association with the Studio für elektronische Musik des Westdeutschen Rundfunks, Köln (WDR, West German Radio in Cologne). 5:34
Karlheinz Stockhausen, “Étude” (1952) from Elektronische Musik 1952-1960 (1991 Stockhausen Verlag). Realized by Stockhausen during a stay to ORTF, Paris, where he learned the basics of musique concrète, which is how he categorized the piece before working purely electronic music at WDR. 2:56
Karlheinz Stockhausen, “Studie I” (1953) from Elektronische Musik 1952-1960 (1991 Stockhausen Verlag). One of two purely electronic “studies” composed by Stockhausen at the WDR. His serialist approach dictated all aspects of the sound and he composed the works using a graphical approach to depict the shapes and values of the volume, duration, pitch, and timbres of the sound. “Studie I” is among the first works of electronic music composed entirely for sine waves. Although the means for creating “Studie I” are readily available today using computer synthesis, its composition in 1953 required much manual intervention and ingenuity by Stockhausen. “Studie I” was a completely serialized composition in which the composer applied the mathematical analysis of tones and timbres to the way in which he generated, shaped, and edited sounds for a tape composition. With electronic tone generators and tape recorders at his disposal, Stockhausen felt that it was possible to “compose, in the true sense of the word, the timbres in music,” allowing him to synthesize from base elements such as sine waves the structure of a composition, its tone selection, and all of the audio dynamics such as amplitude, attack, duration, and the timbre of the sounds. He approached the composition by first recording a series of electronic tones that met certain pitch and timbral requirements that he prescribed and then using serial techniques to devise an organizational plan that determined the order and duration of the sounds as he edited them together. 9:23
Karlheinz Stockhausen, “Studie II” (1954) from Elektronische Musik 1952-1960 (1991 Stockhausen Verlag). The second of two purely electronic “studies” composed by Stockhausen at the WDR. For “Studie II,” Stockhausen extended his experiments with sine waves begun on “Studie I” by exploring the use of attack and decay characteristics as elements of composition. “Studie II” is one of the first post-war tape works to have a written score, albeit a graphic one in which overlapping translucent geometric shapes are used to denote the occurrence of a tone of a given amplitude in a given frequency with specific attack and decay characteristics. For “Studie II,” Stockhausen defined a set of frequencies based on the same ratio, resulting in an 81-tone scale of tones divided into one-tenth octave steps. The loudness and attack characteristics of the tones were divided into five stages. Tones based on such equal divisions of the frequency spectrum proved to be more harmonic when mixed. Stockhausen recorded short passages of the given tones and spliced them together in a loop that could be played repeatedly. These loops were then played through a reverberation system and then recorded to provide the final material with which the composer worked. Stockhausen’s extensive use of reverberation added body and a noise quality to the sounds that embellished the raw sine tones. Using serial techniques to determine how to edit the material together, Stockhausen varied the attack characteristics and then also played some of the sounds backward to create a ramping decay that would abruptly cut off. His application of attack and decay characteristics in five prescribed stages of amplitude resulted in passages that were highly articulated by cascading, irregular rhythms. 2:59
Herbert Eimert, “Fünf Stücke” (1955/56) from Zeitgenössische Musik In Der Bundesrepublik Deutschland 3 (1950-1960) (1982 Deutscher Musikrat). Realization, H. Schütz, Herbert Eimert. Produced in the WDR studios, Cologne. Like Pierre Schaffer in France, Eimert had a background in creating music and sound for radio. He was one of the founding directors of the Cologne studio. Of the works included here, this one is a good example of his serialist approach that incorporated constantly changing combinations of defined sounds. 12:31
Gottfried Michael Koenig, “Klangfiguren II” (1955/56) from Zeitgenössische Musik In Der Bundesrepublik Deutschland 3 (1950-1960) (1982 Deutscher Musikrat). Realization by Gottfried Michael Koenig. Produced in the WDR studios,Cologne. Koenig was with the WDR Studio for ten years from 1954 to 1964. There he experienced the fundamental aspects of creating works with electronic sound devices, most of which had never been intended to make music. His work led him directly to computer music composition in the 1960s. In “Klangfiguren II” “every sound goes through several working steps, and both the original sound and the various intermediate results of the transformation process are heard.” 10:13
Karlheinz Stockhausen, “Gesang Der Jünglinge” (1955/56) from Zeitgenössische Musik In Der Bundesrepublik Deutschland 3 (1950-1960) (1982 Deutscher Musikrat). Realization by Gottfried Michael Koenig, Karlheinz Stockhausen. Produced in the WDR studios, Cologne. “Gesang der Jünglinge” was begun three years before Varèse completed “Poème électronique.” Like the Varèse work, “Gesang der Jünglinge” was produced using a host of electronic music production techniques cultivated earlier at the WDR studios. Stockhausen’s approach was to fuse the sonic components of recorded passages of a youth choir with equivalent tones and timbres produced electronically. Stylistically, Stockhausen avoided the choppy, sharply contrasting effects that were so evident in many early magnetic tape pieces, instead weaving his sound sources together into a single, fluid musical element. He practiced his newly formed principles of electronic music composition, setting forth a plan that required the modification of the “speed, length, loudness, softness, density and complexity, the width and narrowness of pitch intervals and differentiations of timbre” in an exact and precise manner. The piece was painstakingly crafted from a visual score specifying the placement of sounds and their dynamic elements over the course of the work 13:03
Hermann Heiss, “Elektronische Komposition 1” (1956) from Zeitgenössische Musik In Der Bundesrepublik Deutschland 3 (1950-1960) (1982 Deutscher Musikrat). Realization by H. Schütz, Hermann Heiss. Produced in the WDR studios,Cologne.One does not often hear the name Heiss in relation to electronic music, although he went on the direct the Studio für Elektronische Komposition at the Kranichstein Music Instutute. At the time of this composition, he was focused on adapting electronic sounds to serial composition, for which he thought they were ideally suited. 5:11
Herbert Eimert, “Selection I” (1959) from Panorama Électronique: Electronic Experimental Music (1968 Limelight). For electronic and concrete sounds. 10:03
Herbert Eimert, “Sechs Studien” from Epitaph Für Aikichi Kuboyama (2005 Creel Pone). “Sechs Studien” was composed 1962 & realized by Leopold von Knobelsdorff and released in 1962 on the Wergo label. For electronic and concrete sounds. Interestingly, Eimert was also branching out with the addition of keyboards and what sounds like a theremin (although it might have been an Ondes martenot). The WDR studio had a keyboard instrument built by Harald Bode in 1953, the Melochord, along with a a Monochard made by Friedrich Trautwein. 17:48
Karlheinz Stockhausen, “Kontakte”(1959-60), parts 1 and 2 from the album Gesang Der Jünglinge / Kontakte (1962 Deutsche Grammophon). Composed and realized by Karlheinz Stockhausen. Produced in the WDR studios,Cologne. This work was adapted for phonograph from a 4-track original tape composition. Given that the album could only hold about 25 minutes of sound per side, they divided this piece in two and presented it as parts 1 and 2. I’ve joined the two parts together for the podcast. Note the experiments in sound movement between the speakers, a facet of electronic music about which Stockhausen was captivated. Around this time, he began using contraptions invented for the Cologne studio that would, for example, rotate a loudspeaker in space from which fixed microphones could pick up fluctuating signals based on the frequency of the speaker rotation. He would eventually use this same technique with live performances and 4 or more speakers to enable the sound to, in effect, rotate around the audience. By the time her wrote the liner notes for this recoding in 1962, he had “publicly performed” the work “more than thirty times in all large European cities as well as in Canada, the USA, and Brazil, and broadcast by most radio stations in both versions” (stereo and radio mixes). Stockhausen’s sound palette had also grown more sophisticated by this point and contained many seemingly organic elements that stood out from the earlier, purely electronic music output of the WDR. It is also one of his last electronic works to exploit “total serialism” in which he painstakingly composed around the parameters of sound to “bring all properties” such as timbre, pitch, intensity, and duration under a single control." In 1981, music scholar David Toop looked back on this work and noted that Kontakte was really the culmination of Stockhausen’s attempts to apply serialism technique to electronic music and succeeded only at the broadest level. Many other composers by this time had discovered that the fundamental nature of electronic music was to deal with the basic elements of sound and calling it serialism seemed quite meaningless. After all, the structures and tonalities were only as interesting as the listener found them to be. In his case, Stockhausen’s uniquely vibrant and organic music, tinged with introspection and shocking contrasts, provided an emotional impact that serialism had never intended. Don’t miss hearing the sequence beginning around 17 minutes in that presents a sequence of pulsing electronic tones that are sped up, at first, to sound like a smooth waveform but then lowered in frequency so that you hear the component particles and beats that comprise the faster tone. This was quite a trick using tape manipulation, probably requiring several playbacks of the sound at different speeds and then some eloquent mixing to join the pieces together. 34:33
Mauricio Kagel, “Transicion I” (1958) from Panorama Électronique: Electronic Experimental Music (1968 Limelight). This is one of several reissues of the work that was originally released by Philips (who owned Limelight, its US label). I have several versions of this work and this was in the best shape. Realization by Gottfried Michael Koenig, Mauricio Kagel. Produced in the WDR studios, Cologne. “Transicion I” for electronic sounds (1958) was composed when Kagel first traveled to Cologne, where he remained for the rest of his career. Clearly influenced by the Cologne school of serialism, “Transicion II” was characterized by an exploration of the many aural possibilities of his sound sources set to an arrhythmic, seemingly formless sequence of sonic exclamations without pattern. These works were similar in effect to some of Stockhausen’s instrumental pieces of the same period, but radically different from the German’s evolving approach to methodical tape composition. 12:49
Opening background music: Four short sections of “Kontakte” (1959-60) from Elektronische Musik 1952-1960 (1991 Stockhausen Verlag). These are not presented in their original order, but comprise Struktur parts 11, 12, 13a and 13b. the CD release on Stockhausen Verlag presents “Kontakte” not a one uniform track but as a set of parts originally created and edited together by Stockhausen.
Opening and closing sequences voiced by Anne Benkovitz.
Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.
See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation.
For additional notes, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.

Crosscurrents of Musique Concrète

Episode 96
Crosscurrents of Musique Concrète
Playlist
Pierre Henry, “Final Du Concerto Des Ambiguités (Final Of The Ambiguities Concerto)” (1950) from 1er Panorama De Musique Concrète (1956 Ducretet Thomson). Composition, tape editing, and audio production by Pierre Henry. Work realized in the studios of Radiodiffusion-Télévision Française (RTF). Published with funds supplied by Conseil international de la musique (UNESCO). 3:15
Pierre Henry, “Expressionisme (1951) Musique Sans Titre – 5e et 6e Mouvements (Untitled Music – 5th and 6th Movements)” from 1er Panorama De Musique Concrète (1956 Ducretet Thomson). Early piece of musique concrete during a time of transition at the RTF, when the composers were moving from using turntables and disc lathes to magnetic tape as a composition medium. This work has evidence of both. Composition, sound editing, and audio production by Pierre Henry. Work realized in the studios of Radiodiffusion-Télévision Française (RTF). Published with funds supplied by Conseil international de la musique (UNESCO). 2:59
Philippe Arthuys, “Boîte À Musique (Musical Box)” from 1er Panorama De Musique Concrète (1956 Ducretet Thomson). Composition, sound editing, and audio production by Philippe Arthuys. Work realized in the studios of Radiodiffusion-Télévision Française (RTF). Published with funds supplied by Conseil international de la musique (UNESCO). 2:53
Mireille Kyrou, “Étude I” (1960) from Musique Concrète (1964 Philips). Composition, sound editing, and audio production by Mireille Kyrou. Realized by the "Groupe de recherches musicales du Service de la recherche de la radiodiffusion-télévision française", directed by Pierre Schaeffer. Kyrou is the rare example of a woman composer using the French studio. This is her only work released on record. However, according to Hugh Davies’ International Electronic Music Catalog, I find several other compositions dating from this period that, hopefully, will one day be released by the GRM. There were three additional works from 1960-61, all done for film, totaling in time to about 31 minutes. 5:09
Henri Pousseur, “Trois Visages De Liège” (1961) from Early Experimental Electronic Music 1954-1961 (2018 Fantôme Phonographique). This is a reissued version of Pousseur’s work from 1961 and originally released on a Columbia disc in 1967. But this version is several minutes longer than that release. This album also features a bonus track of sound elements used for the work before being fully composed. Composition, tape editing, and audio production by Henri Pousseur. Pousseur was Belgian and worked in the Studio de Musique Electronique de Bruxelles in a musique concrète style. 20:32
Bernard Parmegiani, “Danse” (1961) from Musique Concrète (1969 Candide). Composition, tape editing, and audio production by Bernard Parmegiani. Compositions realized in the studios of Groupe de Recherches Musicales, O.R.T.F., Paris, France. Parmegiani was one of the GRM’s most prolific composers, working on individual works but also numerous pieces for stage, dance, and, most importantly film and commercials, producing early music videos, soundtracks, and commercials for companies like Renault. His music was inventive and imaginative, and he became a chief craftsman of electronic music for decades. Until 1992, he produced most of his music at GRM, but was frequently on commission to work at institutions in other countries. In 1992, Parmegiani left the GRM and set up his own studio in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. 4:08
Luc Ferrari, “Tautologos I” (1961) from Musique Expérimentale 2 (1972 BAM) Recordings realized in the studios of Gravesano (directed by Hermann Scherchen). Reissue of 1964 release. Composition, tape editing, and audio production by Luc Ferrari. 4:19
Philippe Carson, “Turmac” (1961) from Musique Expérimentale 2 (1972 BAM) Recordings made by Le Groupe de Recherches Musicales du Service de la Recherche de l'O.R.T.F. Reissue of 1964 release. Composition, tape editing, and audio production by Philippe Carson. 9:43
Luc Ferrari, “Tête Et Queue Du Dragon” (Second Version) (1962) from Musique Concrète (1969 Candide). Composition, tape editing, and audio production by Luc Ferrari. Compositions realized in the studios of Groupe de Recherches Musicales, O.R.T.F., Paris, France. 9:07
François-Bernard Mâche, “Terre De Feu (Second Version)” (1963) from Musique Concrète (1969 Candide). Composition, tape editing, and audio production by François-Bernard Mâche. Compositions realized in the studios of Groupe de Recherches Musicales, O.R.T.F., Paris, France. 6:52
François Bayle, “Vapeur” (1964) from Musique Expérimentale 2 (1972 BAM) Recordings made by Le Groupe de Recherches Musicales du Service de la Recherche de l'O.R.T.F. Reissue of 1964 release. Composition, tape editing, and audio production by François Bayle. 4:44
Bernard Parmegiani, “Récession” (1966) from Bernard Parmegiani – Mémoire Magnétique, Vol 1. (Compilation De Bandes Magnétiques Inédites (1966-1990) (2018 Transversales Disques). Composition, tape editing, and audio production by Bernard Parmegiani. First release of this track, created for theatre. 2:25
Bernard Parmegiani, “La Ville En Haut De La Colline II” (1968) from Bernard Parmegiani – Mémoire Magnétique, Vol 1. (Compilation De Bandes Magnétiques Inédites (1966-1990) (2018 Transversales Disques). Composition, tape editing, and audio production by Bernard Parmegiani. First release of this track, created for film. 1:30
Bernard Parmegiani, “Outremer” (1968) and “Trois Canons En Hommage À Galilée”(1969) from Arlette Sibon-Simonovitch Avec Le Concours De Sylvio Gualda Œuvres De: Parmegiani, Mestres-Quadreny – Espaces Sonores N°1 (1975 La Voix De Son Maître). Ondes Martenot, Arlette Sibon-Simonovitch. Composition, tape editing, and audio production by Bernard Parmegiani. Work for Ondes Martenot and four tracks of magnetic tape. 21:02
Bernard Parmegiani, “Je Tu Elles” (1969) from Bernard Parmegiani – Mémoire Magnétique, Vol 1. (Compilation De Bandes Magnétiques Inédites (1966-1990) (2018 Transversales Disques). Composition, tape editing, and audio production by Bernard Parmegiani. First release of this track, created for film. 2:59
Roger Roger, “Le Type Beurré” from Musique Idiote (1970 Neuilly). Another experiment with the Moog Synthesizer by composer Roger Roger, maker of broadcast library music. 1:38
Roger Roger, “La Nana Siphonée” from Musique Idiote (1970 Neuilly). Enter the Moog Synthesizer. Here are some early works for Moog by composer Roger Roger, maker of broadcast library music. 1:39
Opening background music: Henri Pousseur, “Éléments De Trois Visages De Liège” from Early Experimental Electronic Music 1954-1961 (2018 Fantôme Phonographique). Composition, tape editing, and audio production by Henry Pousseur. 3:10
 
Opening and closing sequences voiced by Anne Benkovitz.
Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.
See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation.
For additional notes, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.

Early Intersections of Rock and Electronic Music

Episode 95
Early Intersections of Rock and Electronic Music
 
Playlist
Frank Zappa, The Mothers of Invention, “The Return of the Son Of Monster Magnet (Unfinished Ballet In Two Tableaus)” from Freak Out! (1966 Verve). Bass, Guitarrón, Soprano Vocals, Roy Estrada; Drums, Jimmy Carl Black; Guitar, Vocals, Arranged By, Written-By, Leader, Musical Director, Frank Zappa; Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Elliot Ingber; Vocals, Harmonica, Tambourine, Finger Cymbals, Ray Collins. Having been gifted a copy of the Mother’s album Freak Out! In 1966, it was apparently this song that stuck in Paul McCartney’s mind, inspiring the “Carnival of Light” recording to follow. 12:15
The Beatles, “Carnival of Light” an unreleased track that was commissioned by the Million Volt Light and Sound Rave, an event held at the Roundhouse in London on January 28 and February 4, 1967. Recorded during a session for the song "Penny Lane" in January 1967. Working with the recording studio as a creative tool, this was a project brought to band by Paul McCartney who had been asked by the festival sponsors to create a tape to be featured at the event. It was reported later that McCartney explained the exercise to his bandmates by saying, "This is a bit indulgent, but would you mind giving me 10 minutes? I've been asked to do this thing. All I want you to do is just wander round all of the stuff and bang it, shout, play it." The result was this sound piece. The Beatles were already conditioned for turning out spectacular sound effects in the studio. This was before the Moog Synthesizer came to Abbey Road. Nonetheless, they had access to all manner of guitar effects, echo, reverb, a Mellotron, electronic piano, organ, Lesley speakers and other devices with which to improvise. 13:08
The Riders Of The Mark, “The Electronic Insides And Metal Complexion That Make Up Herr Doktor Krieg” from The Electronic Insides And Metal Complexion That Make Up Herr Doktor Krieg/Gotta Find Somebody (1967 20th Century Fox). I wish I knew more about this band, but I don’t. They had this one single. It has sometimes been included on compilation of psychedelia. Rock music, tape reversal, tape echo, fuzz tones, guitars. 2:13
Pink Floyd, “Interstellar Overdrive” from The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn (1967 Columbia). UK release of the formidable Pink Floyd, then making an impact with their first LP. No synthesizers, but there were electronic rock instruments galore and some imaginative stereo imaging, a benefit of working with tape in those days. Bass Guitar, Vocals, Roger Waters; Lead Guitar, Vocals, Syd Barrett; Drums, Nicky Mason; Piano, Organ, Rick Wright. 9:40
Bernard Parmegiani, “Pop’eclectic (1968)” from JazzEx (1999 Plat Lunch). Composed, produced, edited by Bernard Parmegiani. Parmegiani was one of the lesser-known composers associated with the French musique concrete school, although he was no less prolific in many genres, including electronic music for commercials. He was adept at experimenting across genres, providing musique concrete vividness to works for jazz and rock music. I always find his work to be refreshing and uncluttered by musical cliches. 11:03
(Frank Zappa) The Mothers of Invention, “Are You Hung Up?” from We're Only In It For The Money (1968 Verve). Arranged By, Composed By, Conductor, Concept By Conceived, Directed By Executed, Producer, Frank Zappa; Bass, Vocals, Other Asthma, Roy Estrada; Drums, Trumpet, Vocals, Other Indian Of The Group, Jimmy Carl Black; Drums, Vocals, Other Yak & Black Lace Underwear, Billy Mundi; Guitar, Piano, Vocals, Edited By, Other Weirdness, Frank Zappa; Piano, Woodwind, Other Wholesome, Ian Underwood; Saxophone, Other Weirdness & Teen Appeal, Euclid James Motorhead Sherwood; Sounds Snorks, Dick Barber; Voice Creepy Whispering, Engineer, Gary Kellgren; Voice Telephone, Suzy Creamcheese; Woodwind, “Mumbled Weirdness,” Bunk Gardner. 1:30
Silver Apples, “Velvet Cave” from Silver Apples (1968 Kapp). Composed and Arranged by, Dan Taylor, Simeon; Percussion, Dan Taylor; The Simeon (oscillators, filters), Simeon; Vocals, Dan Taylor, Simeon. “INSTRUCTIONS: Play Twice Before Listening.” This two-man group used a genius combination of drums and oscillators, a match made in heaven. 3:27
(Frank Zappa) The Mothers of Invention, “Nasal Retentive Calliope Music” from We're Only In It For The Money (1968 Verve). Arranged By, Composed By, Conductor, Concept By Conceived, Directed By Executed, Producer, Frank Zappa; Bass, Vocals, Other Asthma, Roy Estrada; Drums, Trumpet, Vocals, Other Indian Of The Group, Jimmy Carl Black; Drums, Vocals, Other Yak & Black Lace Underwear, Billy Mundi; Guitar, Piano, Vocals, Edited By, Other Weirdness, Frank Zappa; Piano, Woodwind, Other Wholesome, Ian Underwood; Saxophone, Other Weirdness & Teen Appeal, Euclid James Motorhead Sherwood; Sounds Snorks, Dick Barber; Voice Creepy Whispering, Engineer, Gary Kellgren; Voice Telephone, Suzy Creamcheese; Woodwind, “Mumbled Weirdness,” Bunk Gardner. 2:03
The United States of America, “The American Metaphysical Circus” from The United States of America (1968 Columbia). While the entire psychedelic scene in America was adding tape manipulation, fuzz tones, and echo to their recordings, The United States of America brought a blend of rock musicianship and serious tape collage work to the fore. The tape effects in their music were not the usual brief hooks or the sake of novelty, but fully composed blocks of electronic and found sounds integrated in the core of their tunes. Electric Bass, Rand Forbes; Keyboards, Electronics, Organ, Piano, Arranged, Electric Harpsichord, Calliope, Joseph Byrd; Lead Vocals, Dorothy Moskowitz; Organ, Piano, Calliope, Ed Bogas; Percussion, Drums Electric Drums, Craig Woodson; Producer, David Rubinson; Violin Electric Violin, Ring Modulator, Gordon Marron. 5:07
The United States of America, “Hard Coming Love” from The United States of America (1968 Columbia). Electric Bass, Rand Forbes; Keyboards, Electronics, Organ, Piano, Arranged, Electric Harpsichord, Calliope, Joseph Byrd; Lead Vocals, Dorothy Moskowitz; Organ, Piano, Calliope, Ed Bogas; Percussion, Drums Electric Drums, Craig Woodson; Producer, David Rubinson; Violin Electric Violin, Ring Modulator, Gordon Marron. No synthesizers as such, but Tom Oberheim built ring modulators and other devices for them. 4:48
Bernard Parmegiani, “Du Pop À L'âne (1969)” from JazzEx (1999 Plat Lunch). Composed, produced, edited by Bernard Parmegiani. Of special interest on this track is a sampled chunk of a song by the Doors that appears about 6 minutes in, altered and accompanied by editing and effects. This use of sampling speaks to the liberties that musique concrete musicians were taking with found materials. 10:14
Pierre Henry & Michel Colombier, “Prologue,” “Psyché Rock,” “Jéricho Jerk,” and “Teen Tonic” from Mass For Today / The Green Queen (1969 Limelight). Compilation of earlier works first released in 1967. These four works were part of “Mass for Today,” an electronic rock ballet.” This is a decent collection, with selections from other Henry musique concrete works. The electronic sounds and tape effects seem somewhat heavy-handed now, but at that time, this was what one could do without a synthesizer. Henry was already a maestro of musique concrete by that time so it’s especially interesting to see what sounds he added without seeming trite or cliched. Réalisation Sonore, Pierre Henry; Written by, Michel Colombier, Pierre Henry. 9:54
Spooky Tooth and Pierre Henry, “Have Mercy” from Ceremony: An Electronic Mass (1969 Island). Bass Guitar, Andy Leigh; Composed by Gary Wright, Pierre Henry; Drums, Mike Kellie; Electronics, Realisation Sonore, Pierre Henry; Lead Guitar, Luther Grosvenor; Lead Vocals, Mike Harrison; Lead Vocals, Keyboards, Gary Wright. 8:10
The Free Pop Electronic Concept, “Pish! Pshaw!” from A New Exciting Experience (1969 Palette). From Brussels. Bass, James; Composed By, Recorded by Arsène Souffriau; Drums, Stu Martin; Electric Guitar, Jess; Organ, Scott Bradford; Percussion, Tumba, Vinagre. 4:47
The Free Pop Electronic Concept, “Cosmos Rhythms” from A New Exciting Experience (1969 Palette). From Brussels. Bass, James; Composed By, Recorded by Arsène Souffriau; Drums, Stu Martin; Electric Guitar, Jess; Organ, Scott Bradford; Percussion, Tumba, Vinagre. 3:01
Tommy James and the Shondells, “Cellophane Symphony” from Cellophane Symphony (1969 Roulette). This title track was a rare instrumental from this group normally associated with rock vocal hits. This is the only track in this podcast featuring the Moog Modular Synthesizer. There were certainly other examples of the Moog since it was first used in 1967, but I wanted to choose an example of how the synthesizer could be used by a rock band, rather than a pop artist such as Jean Jacques Perrey or Mort Garson. This is a terrific example that I would bet many of my listeners have never heard before. Tommy James, lead vocals, guitars, keyboards; Eddie Gray, lead guitar, backing vocals; Ronnie Rosman – keyboards, backing vocals; Mike Vale, bass guitar, backing vocals; Pete Lucia, drums, percussion, backing vocals. 9:37
West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band, “As Kind as Summer” from Vol. 3 - A Child's Guide To Good & Evil (1968 Reprise). American psychedelic rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1965, broke up in 1969. Three teens (brothers Dan and Shaun Harris and their friend Michael Lloyd) teamed up with 30-year old Bob Markley, who got them a record deal with Reprise. Each of their albums was most bizarre, combining hummable pop tunes and spacey production. I included this particular track because it starkly demonstrates the use of tape loops and sound reversal. 1:10
Toshi Ichiyanagi, The Flowers, "Electric Chant” and “The Flowers (内田裕也とザ・フラワーズ)” from Opera "From The Works Of Tadanori Yokoo (1969 The End Record). Composed by Toshi Ichiyanagi and performed by the Japanese rock group The Flowers: Bass, Takeshi Hashimoto; Drums, Joji Wada; Guitar, Vocals, Remi Aso; Percussion, Backing Vocals, Yuya Uchida; Steel Guitar, Katsuhiko Kobayashi; Vocals, Hiroshi Chiba, Kento Nakamura. I’m including two pieces from this opera from 1969. The first, “Electric Chant” is electronic and includes tape collage while the second, “The Flowers” was performed by the Japanese pop rock band The Flowers and is loaded with distortion, echo, feedback, and reverberation, transforming the simple rock format into a discourse in electronic sound. 5:17 & 7:18
Tim Buckley, “Starsailor” from Starsailor (1970 Bizarre). Engineer, Stan Agol; Vocals, Producer, Written by, Tim Buckley. According to Larry Beckett, Buckley’s chief lyricist and collaborator, who was there when they recorded this track, Buckley had a basic lyric track to which he recorded 18 additional vocals tracks on top of it. “He didn’t write it out as a classical musician does, but it was thoroughly composed.” From the standpoint of rock music, this was more akin to composing with tone clusters than chord progressions. 4:34
Opening background music: Luc Ferrari, “Dialogue Ordinaire Avec La Machine (1984)” from Dialogue Ordinaire Avec La Machine / Sexolidad (2019 Elica). Composed and performed by Luc Ferrari.
Opening and closing sequences voiced by Anne Benkovitz.
Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.
See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation.
For additional notes, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.

Electronic Drone Music

Episode 94
Electronic Drone Music
 
Playlist
Yves Klein, “Monotone-Silence Symphony” written in 1947. I could not find any recorded versions of this piece, so I produced this realization of my own to capture the feel and nature of this drone work. Klein conceived this as performance art in which an orchestra would only play a single note, continuously, for 20 minutes followed by another 20 minutes of silence. I’ve examined the score and can see that Klein also intended that the same note could be played in different octaves. The playing would have been staged so that one group of musicians could overlap another, both for reasons of fatigue but also to allow smooth transitions for the wind instruments because players would need to take a breath. My version includes electronic instruments for multiple parts, each part playing the same note, often in different octaves. The introduction of instrumental groups was planned in stages, each overlapping the previous grouping, gradually shortening in duration as the piece goes on.
La Monte Young and Marian Zazeela, “31 VII 69 10:26 - 10:49 PM” from 31 VII 69 10:26 - 10:49 PM / 23 VIII 64 2:50:45 - 3:11 AM The Volga Delta (1969 Edition X). Eponymous untitled album popularly known as "The Black Record" or "The Black Album" Mine is an original copy. The cover is black gloss print on matt black and very hard to read. Numbered edition limited to 2800 copies of which numbers 1-98 are dated and signed by the artists. This work “was recorded at the date and time indicated in the title, at Galerie Heiner Friedrich, München. The work “31 VII 69 10:26-10:49 PM” is a section of the longer work: Map Of 49's Dream The Two Systems Of Eleven Sets Of Galactic Intervals Ornamental Lightyears Tracery. Play this side at 33 1/3 rpm only.” Early work employing electronic drones. By the mid-sixties, Young and his partner Marian Zazeela were creating music for electronic drones as an extension of their group, The Theatre of Eternal Music. Using a Heathkit sine wave oscillator and later Moog modules as sources, they created drone pieces that employed “extended duration time signatures” and “long sustained tones, intervals, triads and chords to create the musical texture.” A reissue has now occurred on the label Super Viaduct.
Tony Conrad, “Process Four of Fantastic Glissando” from Fantastic Glissando (2006 Table of The Elements). Dating from 1969, this recording contains various versions of the same sound piece, each processed slightly differently. “Process Four” accumulates the processed applied to the previous three processes. The first glissando recording was made using a sine wave oscillator processed through pump counter with a stereo-phase glissando. Recorded December 12, 1969, on a Revox reel-to-reel tape recorder set at 3¾ ips. Conrad was in LaMonte Young’s circle of friends and performers and joined him on many productions of The Theatre of Eternal Music.
Teresa Rampazzi , “Duodeno normale” and “Duodeno Patologico” from Musica Endoscopica (1972). Here we have two short electronic works from this remarkable women composer that emphasize the drone. The pulsing tones and textures were played manually using audio oscillators. Music produced by the N.P.S. (Nuove Proposte Sonore) group for the documentary entitled "Gastroscopia" (Gastroscopy) realized in 1972 by Prof. Domenico Oselladore, University of Padova, in collaboration with Istituto De Angeli s.p.a., Milan. This documentary was presented at the Scientific Film Festival, Policlinico Universitario di Padova, 1972. “Duodeno Normale” begins with a drone consisting of two continuous tones: a low-pitched buzz from a sawtooth wave accompanied by a pulsating higher-pitched tone. The drone is joined at the 11-second mark by a high-pitched ringing tone played on a third oscillator. This ringing tone is repeated every 5–8 seconds and sustained for two or more seconds each time. The irregular timing of the tone suggests that Rampazzi was manually playing it by turning the dial of an oscillators. The ringing tone is sustained for the duration of the piece, creating a three-part drone. The drones fade out, beginning with the lower buzzing tone. “Duodeno Patologico” uses a similar process.
The Taj-Mahal Travelers, “The Taj-Mahal Travelers Between 6:20~6:46P.M.” from July 15, 1972 (1972 CBS/Sony). Released in Japan. Early album by the group founded by experimental electronic musician and violinist Takehisa Kosugi. Electronic Contrabass, Suntool, Harmonica, Performer Sheet Iron, Ryo Koike; Guitar Electronic Quiter, Percussion, Michihiro Kimura; Electronic Trumpet, Harmonica, Castanets, Seiji Nagai; Vibraphone, Santoor Suntool, Yukio Tsuchiya; Electronic Violin, Electronics, Radio Oscillators, Voice, Takehisa Kosugi; Vocals, Tokio Hasegawa. This album was recorded live at Sohgetsu Hall, Tokyo, Japan, July, 1972. Originally released using Sony's SQ quadraphonic system.
Yoshi Wada, “Earth Horns with Electronic Drone”(1974) from Earth Horns with Electronic Drone (2009 EM Records). Recorded at Everson Museum of Art, Syracuse, New York, February 24, 1974. Electronics, Liz Phillips; Pipehorn Players, Barbara Stewart, Garrett List, Jim Burton, Yoshi Wada; Electronic equipment designed by, Liz Phillips, Yoshi Wada; Pipehorns constructed by, composed by, recorded by, Yoshi Wada. Combining four of Wada's self-made "pipehorns" (constructed of plumbing materials, over three meters in length), with an electronic drone tuned to the electrical current of the performance space, this is a lost masterpiece of early drone/minimalism. The performance filled the space with complex overtones generated by the ever-shifting interplay of the breathing horns and the constant electronic drone.
Lou Reed, “Metal Machine Music” (1975 RCA). All music and electronics by Lou Reed. Inspired by LaMonte Young, this is what I would call a noise drone! Reed himself points to the influence of Young in his lean liner notes. "SPECIFICATIONS: No Synthesizers, No ARP, No Instruments?” Sony 1/2 track; Uher 1/4 track; Pioneer 1/4 track; 5 piggyback Marshall Tube Amps in series; Arbitor distortor (Jimi's); Marantz Preamps; Marantz Amps; Altec Voice of America Monitor Speakers; Sennheiser Headphones; Drone cognizance and harmonic possibilities vis a vis Lamont Young's Dream Music; Rock orientation, melodically disguised, i.e. drag; Avoidance of any type of atonality.; Electro-Voice high filter microphones; Fender Tremolo Unit; Sunn Tremolo Unit; Ring Modulator/Octave Relay Jump; Fender Dual Showman Bass Amp with Reverb Unit (Pre-Columbia) white.
Eliane Radigue, “Triptypch” Part 2” (1978). (2009 Important Records). Electronic Instrumentation: ARP 2500 modular synthesizer and analog, multitrack tape composition. The piece uses real-time ARP programming, tape loops, and recorded acoustic sounds. This piece is characteristic of Radigue’s fervent exploration of gradually changing layers of harmonically intersecting tones. It is the kind of drone work that can easily dip the listener into a pool of trance and is one of the composer’s many works grounded by her dedication to Tibetan Buddhism. Note the overall slowly evolving changes formed by overlapping sustained tones presented without any clearly articulated beginnings and endings.
John Cage, Gary Verkade, “Organ2/ASLSP” from The Works for Organ (2013 Mode). John Cage composed “Organ2/ASLSP” in 1987 for solo organ. This piece has been realized at a variety of lengths, from about 30 minutes, to 8 hours, and what is arguably the longest interpretation of music ever played, now 23 years into its projected run of 639-years being performed now in Halberstadt Cathedral, Germany where a special organ was created to perform the piece unattended until a chord change is called for. This work is not electronic, although the pipe organ may be thought of by some, including me, as the first synthesizer. Although I won’t be playing this work except in the background of this introduction, I needed to mention it because of its significance in the canon of drone music. “This composition consists, like Cage’s ASLSP, of 8 pieces. Unlike ASLSP, however, all pieces here should be played. Any of the 8 pieces may be repeated, and these repetitions may be played subsequent to any of the other pieces. The published score consists of a title page, brief instructions, and 4 leaves with music. Each page contains 2 pieces.”
Phill Niblock, “Guitar, too, for four—The Massed Version” from G2,44+/x2 (2002 Moikai). 24-track mix of guitar samples from Rafael Toral, Robert Poss, Susan Stenger, David First. Guitarists adding 2 live parts each to the 24 track mix version: Kevin Drumm, Lee Ranaldo, Thurston Moore, Robert Poss, Alan Licht. Niblock’s usually works with acoustic instruments, so this venture with electric guitar is somewhat unique in his body of work. He asks musicians to play parts that are first recorded and then reworked in the mixing and editing process, largely to eradicate pauses and silences so that the sounds can be blended without such interruptions.
Pauline Oliveros and Reynols, "Half a Dove in New York, Half a Dove in Buenos Aires" (1999) (2022 Smalltown Supersound). Reynols is an Argentinian experimental band that began in 1993 as Burt Reynols Ensamble. Band member Alan Courtis wrote to me, saying, “First of all, thanks a lot for mentioning our Pauline Oliveros in the arms of Reynols collaboration in your book Electronic & Experimental Music. She was a great musician/composer and friend.” After which he pointed me to a “recent release of an old project we made with Pauline back in 1999.” This is it!
Opening background music: Tony Conrad, Arnold Dreyblatt, Jim O'Rourke, “Side 1” from Tonic 19-01-2001 (2023 Black Truffle). Performers, Arnold Dreyblatt, Jim O'Rourke, Tony Conrad. Recorded January 19,2001 at Tonic, New York City.
Opening and closing sequences voiced by Anne Benkovitz.
Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.
See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation.
For additional notes, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.

New Arrivals to the Archives—Part 2: Noise Music, Improvisations, and Atmospheres

Episode 93
Playlist for Part 2
Noise and Improvisations
I found a mother lode of noise and experimental music hiding in the crates of my local New York record store.
Corum, “Effigy Mounds: Ceremonial Music For Spore Alter” side a from Effigy Mounds: Ceremonial Music For Spore Alter” (2014 Psychic Sounds). Effigy Mounds is the second album of the Beguiling Isles Trilogy (Born of Earth's Torments / Effigy Mounds / Magic Mirror). This LP is about spore modification, the rise of the puffs, and juice modification. All with tabletop electronics and found sounds. Played and recorded 2012/2013. 20:07
Crumer-Franco, “Agony In The Zodiac” from Agony In The Zodiac (2008 Ahaziah). Vinyl, 12", Single Sided, Limited Edition. Droning, beautiful noise, hums, and crackling. Collaborative recording by Jason Crumer and Matt Franco made during the "American Band" sessions. Limited to 100 copies. 13:17
Noise Nomads, “Side B” from Ernest Thrasher (2013 Feeding Tube Records). Vinyl, 12", Album, Limited Edition. Noise and rhythmic noise by Jeff Hartford. Using Tascam 424 With Greenwood Electronics 2012 - 2013. 14:07
Jojo Hiroshige, Pika, Paal Nilssen-Love, Lasse Marhaug, Osaka Fortune (2013 Premier Sang). French release of noise/jazz improvisation. More Drums, Paal Nilssen-Love; Drums, Pika; Guitar, Jojo Hiroshige; Noises, Lasse Marhaug. Recorded at Osaka Chika-Ikkai, February 10th 2011. This noise romp is side two of this record. It begins with a supplementary drum track that sounds like mono to which Pika adds her own crashing, continual rhythms in stereo. 14:58
Pod Blotz, The Swamp Command (2006 Fish Pies). Vinyl, LP, Limited Edition. Pod Blotz is the electronic, experimental noise project of Suzy Poling, started in 2002. Limited to 320 numbered copies. 7:00
Rodger Stella, Kites, “Untitled” (side 1). from Interior Moon (2011 Mutter Wild). Both sides of the LP end in a locked groove. Rhythmic noise that is modulated in real time to gradually shift the timbres of the piece from beginning to end. 17:56
UW OWL, “Black Flag” from Thorn Elemental (2006 Phaserphone). Vinyl, LP, Limited Edition Recorded in 2003 on a broken, dust-filled concrete basement floor in Bushwick, NY. Die-cut record sleeve with letter-pressed inner tip-on. Copy 118 of edition of 333. Electronics and drum machines. Reminiscent of early Cabaret Voltaire. 3:13
Atmospheres
Among the new arrival finds were several tracks that I categorize as atmospheric or ambient.
Skanfrom, “A Fax” from Split 12" (2000 A.D.S.R.). Now defunct electro synthpop label from Germany run by Skanfrom. Limited to 800 hand numbered copies. Mine is number 676. Skanfrom is Roger Semsroth. 3:15
AGE, “Landscape” and “Electronics” from Landscapes (1980 Gamm Records). Emmanuel D'haeyere and Guy Vachaudez, a Belgian EM duo with an affinity for ominous electronics. 9:12
AGE, “Hymalaya” from Landscapes (1980 Gamm Records). Emmanuel D'haeyere and Guy Vachaudez, a Belgian EM duo. I wanted contrast this soothing electronic sound with the previous tracks from this group. 2:34
Tangerine Dream, “Ride on the Ray” from Underwater Sunlight (1986 Relativity). Composed, Performed, Produced by Chris Franke, Edgar Froese, Paul Haslinger. Recorded April 1986, Berlin, West Germany. Another entry into the TG catalog. This album has some sounds and textures quite like Le Parc from 1985. 5:31
Nobuyoshi Koshibe (越部信義), Takashi Kokubo (小久保隆), “Midnight Submarine” (ミッドナイト・サブマリ) from Urashiman Synthesizer Fantasy (未来警察ウラシマン シンセサイザー・ファンタジー) (1983 Columbia). Continuing the water theme, some nicely produced Japanese synth music. 5:44
Opening background music: Thom Holmes, “Blader-WW1” (2019 no label). 16:36
 
Opening and closing sequences voiced by Anne Benkovitz.
Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.
See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation:
For additional notes, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.

New Arrivals to the Archives—Part 1: Early and Symphonic Electronic Music

New-Old Recordings Making it into the Archive.
 
Playlist
Symphonic Electronic Rock
Symphonic electronic is always a favorite of listeners of the podcast. I note these additions, including a scarce soundtrack recording of interest.
Jeff Bruner, “Try To Escape,” “Night Saucer,” “Larry And Diane Go To Hell,” “On The Beach,” “The Investigator,” “Vic's Flashback,” “End” from (side 2) from Foes (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (1977 Not on Label). This interesting soundtrack combined electronic music with orchestral sounds for this little seen motion picture. Recorded and mixed at Santa Barbara Sound. Music composed and conducted by Jeff Bruner; electronic music production, Doug Scott; electronic music realized by Jeff Bruner and Doug Scott. I picked this up on a trip to Boston According to Jeff Bruner himself, this record was pressed for the movie staff only and there are less than 20 copies. “The music on this record is a perfect balance of rational sounds that you’ve heard before and even more rational sounds which because you’ve never heard them before seem quite irrational. 19:36
Claude Denjean, “Memories Of Moody Blues” from Moods (1976 London Records). A few years after the initial wave of albums produced using the Moog Modular synthesizer, Denjean returned to the instrument to make this collection of classic pop tunes in an electronic symphonic vein. This song seems to touch on every other note of the classic “Nights in White Satin” without actually causing any copyright issues, I imagine. This album is a new copy added to the archive. How could I resist? 4:09
Hugo Montenegro, “MacArthur Park (Allegro Part III)” from Moog Power (1969 RCA Victor). A rockin’ album of symphonic pop tunes from the heyday of Moog Modular recordings. Montenegro had the magic touch for arranging such pop songs. He was aided by Moog programming by none other than Paul Beaver and playing by Mike Melvoin. This is an old copy from my collection that I unsealed just for this podcast. Only this one track has been played on this album. 3:21
Raymond Lefèvre Et Son Grand Orchestre, “Mille Colombes” from Love In Stereo Nº 1 (1978 Barclay). This German release of French album is one of many by keyboard player and arranger Lefèvre. This one features a variety of electronic music instruments used in conjunction with an orchestra. Bass, Dave Markee; Drums, Barry Morgan; Keyboards, Alan Hawkshaw; Percussion, Ray Cooper; Synthesizer players, Guy Boyer, Maurice Vander, Raymond Lefèvre. Synthesizers used: RMI Computer, Moog 3 P, Arp DGX, Omni Polyphonic, Korg 1000, Korg 2000, Ems/Arp Sequencer. Rhythm section recorded at Lansdowne Recording Studios, London. Strings recorded at Barclay Hoche, Paris. Synthesizers recorded at Studio Damiens. 3:10
Early Electronic Music
Several recordings featuring vintage tape compositions and performances using the Moog Modular synthesizer were among our newest arrivals to the archive.
Ralph Lundsten. “Snowstorm” (1967/68) from Shangri-La (1975 His Master’s Voice). Swedish release of composer Lundsten music for Shangri-La, a commissioned work for Swedish Radio. However, the album also presents several early tape works, including Winter Music, a suite of works for the season of this which this one is a part. “Suddenly, a sleigh with lit-up torches emerges out of the whirling snowstorm. … Was it for real or just a dream?” 2:30
Jean Jacques Perrey, “The Alien Planet” from Musique Electronique Du Cosmos (Electronic Music From Outer Space) (1962 MusiCues). An earlier disc of Perrey, later known as the wizard of electronic pop sounds. He was using the Ondioline for this track, an early monophonic organ, and tape manipulation to provide effects. This was a recording of broadcast library sounds. 1:02
Jean Jacques Perrey, “Space Light” from Musique Electronique Du Cosmos (Electronic Music From Outer Space) (1962 MusiCues). Another early track from Perrey. 1:03
Jean Jacques Perrey, “Intercestial Tabulator” from Musique Electronique Du Cosmos (Electronic Music From Outer Space) (1962 MusiCues). Another early tape compositionfrom Perrey that might be his imagining what a future computer would sound like. 1:03
Jean Jacques Perrey, “Barnyard in Orbit” from Musique Electronique Du Cosmos (Electronic Music From Outer Space) (1962 MusiCues). Another early track from Perrey that shows his innate sense of humor that we would hear much more of in his music yet to come. 2:17
Jean Jacques Perrey, “Micro Cosmic PL 1” from Musique Electronique A Caractere Special Pour Illustrations Sonores Et Effets Speciaux (2017 Wah Wah Records). Spanish release of an original acetate disc of Perrey demonstration tracks and original compositions. I think these were made around 1967 after Perrey had begun using the Moog Modular synthesizer. 5:19
Doug McKechnie, “The First Exploration @ SF Radical Laboratories, 1968” (2020 VG+ Records). Recently released recordings of an original tapes made in 1968 from an early Moog composer and performer. McKechnie famously played a live Moog Modular set at the Altamont performance in 1969 by the Rolling Stones. He is ever-so briefly heard and seen the film Gimme Shelter (1970). In any event, McKechnie was a pioneer who used an instrument owned by one Bruce Hatch (not Bruce Haack). He worked with the instrument for about four years before Hatch sold it to Tangerine Dream around 1972. With that came the end of one musician’s dreams and the beginning of someone else’s. I am so happy that Doug was able to release this recording of his early work because so many of us have been curious to hear it. This track represents some clever droning with the sequencer and one can imagine this being performed in real-time. 8:30
Hydroelectric Streetcar, “I Realize” from The Cool-Aid Benefit Album Vol. 1 (1970 Arthfor Special Products). I was searching for this Canadian benefit disc for a long time so that I could add it to my collection of Moog Modular Synthesizer recordings. The Moog in this case was owned by my acquaintance Johns Mills Cockell who played in several rock bands and avant garde performance groups during this time. Remember Intersystems? In this case, he was playing as a sideman for Hydro Electric Streetcar, a folk-rock band to which he added synthesis. Bass, Vocals, Lee Stephens; Drums, Stan Tait; Guitar, Al Wiebe; Lead Vocals, Danny McInnes; Moog Modular Synthesizer, John Mills-Cockell. 3:48
Robots
A few tracks in this batch of new arrivals worked around the theme of robots, machines, and synthesized voices.
Skanfrom, “Mr. Robot Is Dead” from Split 12" (2000 A.D.S.R.). Now defunct electro synthpop label from Germany run by Skanfrom. Limited to 800 hand numbered copies. Mine is number 676. Skanfrom is Roger Semsroth. 3:25
I., “Gro Stadtleben” from Split 12" (2000 A.D.S.R.). Now defunct electro synthpop label from Germany run by Skanfrom. Limited to 800 hand numbered copies. Mine is number 676. B.I. (Bakterielle Infektion) was founded in Berlin in 1995, disbanded 2011. 2:34
Dee D. Jackson, “Automatic Lover” from Automatic Lover (1978 Jupiter Records). German release, 7” 45 RPM. Dee D. Jackson (Deirdre Elaine Cozier) is an English singer-songwriter, She was primarily a space disco/Italo disco concept artist, moving to Italy in the mid-1980s. The computer voice in this tune sounds like a person speaking monotone with some filtering. No artificial intelligence involved here. 3:54
Ralph Lundsten. “Robbie is Dancing the Waltz” (1975) from Shangri-La (1975 His Master’s Voice). Swedish release of composer Lundsten music for Shangri-La, a commissioned work for Swedish Radio. It also includes his Heaven by Night suite from which this song comes. The robotic voice appears to be one that is amplitude modulated to provide a wavering tremolo effect. No vocoder here. 4:06
Odds and Ends
Recordings that are becoming part of the archive as representative examples of the odd and curious in electronic sounds.
The Marvelletes, “I Want a Guy” (1961 Tamla). Single featuring a Musitron played by Raynoma Liles Gordy (producer, arranger, musician and ex-wife of Motown executive Barry Gordy); Lead vocals by Wanda Young Rogers; background vocals by Gladys Horton, Georgeanna Tillman, Wyanetta "Juanita" Cowart, and Katherine Anderson; Other instrumentation by the Funk Brothers included Bass by James Jamerson, Drums by Benny Benjamin, Guitar by Eddie Willis, Piano by Marvin Gaye,Tenor saxophone by Hank Cosby, Baritone saxophone by Andrew "Mike" Terry. The Musitron was a modified, monophonic electric organ invented by Max Crook and featured on such well-known songs as Del Shannon’s “Hats Off to Larry” and “Runaway.” Crook was the keyboard player in Del Shannon’s band and they made that sound a key novelty in Shannon’s songs beginning in 1961, the same year as “I Want a Guy.” 2:38
Living Shakespeare, “King Lear” excerpt from King Lear (1962 Living Shakespeare Inc.). US compilation release of various excerpts from the Living Shakespeare series. This was a series of recordings of the plays of William Shakespeare, adapted for recording and made in England. This series was available in various combinations of discs and usually featured some sort of incidental electronic music produced by a BBC Radiophonic-associated composer. I have a complete set of discs as packaged for the US market. But I came across this sampler disc and thought to include an example of the scene from King Lear where the King (as acted by Donald Wolfit) “calls down the rage of heaven in a violent thunderstorm,” with the storm sounds all being electronic. Text adapted by Fiona Bentley, Morys Aberdare; Directed by Sir Donald Wolfit; Musique Concrete and sound patterns composed by Desmond Leslie. 2:24
K-Tel, “Hit, Flop, Break Even” from K-Tel Super Star Chance-a-Tune (1973 K-Tel). 7” 45-rpm single. A triple-grooved record. (also known as 'Parallel', 'Mystery', or 'Trick-Track' record). Originally packaged as part of the board game "K-Tel Superstar Game.” The same tracks are pressed on both sides. “Players are rock stars” and collected gold records to win. Rolled the dice to move through the board. Squares had events for players to collect or lose money or release an album, which were subject to being a Hit, Flop, or Break-even by playing the disc. The game came with this Chance-A-Tune 45 RPM record which was played when a player landed on an album release square. The player drops the needle to see which of the tracks, and verdicts, comes up. The single only includes the three phrases I’ve edited here for the podcast. In reality, you could never tell which track would play with each drop of the needle. 0:29
Adams & Fleisner, “Surrounded In Mystery And Magic (Sounds Of The Inside)” from Space Effects Vol. 2 (1988 BCM). German recording of sound effects. I chose this one primarily because at 1:25 it was by far the longest track on this broadcast library record. 1:54
Yuri Rasovsky, “Interplanetary Adventurer” from The Chicago Language Tape And Other Aberations of El Fiendo In Glorious Mono (1979 Not on Label). A curious comedy record led by Yuri Rasovsky that consists primarily of sketches that are acted out and produced as would be a radio program. There is one piece of electronic music that might interest you: Hans Wurman, venerable Moog synthesist, contributed the opening music to this story that features the Moog Modular. I suspect that this was the last recorded Moog piece that Hans produced before laying down his golden patch cords. Musician, music by Hans Wurman; Voice Actor, Dick Simpson, Don Vogel, Gary Gears, Joan Lazzerini, John Hultman, Keneth Northcott, Mell Zellman, Michelle M. Faith, Yuri Rasovsky. I chose to reproduced only this musical segment, surrounded by some of the spoken parts for context. 1:46.
Originals
A few recordings are just unnecessarily difficult to categorize.
Joakim, “Teenage Kiss (Dub)” from Transe / Teenage Kiss (2005 Kitsune). French, 12” maxi-single. Danceable, yet strange. Written by, Performed, and produced by Joakim Bouaziz. 4:58
Landscape, “From The Tea-Rooms Of Mars .... To The Hell-Holes Of Uranus” from From The Tea-Rooms Of Mars .... To The Hell-Holes Of Uranus (1981 RCA). English electro/pop/jazz band from London. This is the title track and features some electronic tunes in the dance styles of the beguine, mambo, and tango. Which seemed to go with the other dance related tracks I found in this batch of new-old records. Electronic trombone, Trombone, Vocals, Peter Thoms; Vocals, Keyboards, Grand Piano, Fender Rhodes, Christopher Heaton; Vocals, Programmed By, Electronic Drums, Electronic Percussion, Synthesizer, Drums, Richard James Burgess; Bass Guitar, Synthesizer Bass, Vocals, Andy Pask. 7:53
Ralph Lundsten. “Cosma Nova” (1975) from Shangri-La (1975 His Master’s Voice). Another track from Mr. Lundsten, commissioned for Swedish Radio. From the Heaven by Night suite, this is a dreamy dance tune. 3:18
Allen Ravenstine, “Going Upriver,” “110 In The Underpass,” and “5@28” from Electron Music / Shore Leave (2020 Waveshaper). This recent Canadian release is a collection of Ravenstine”s work for electronic and instrumental media. Ravenstine was the electronics and synthesizer player in the original lineup of Pere Ubu. He has continued to make eclectic, highly original and thoughtful music over the years. 16:11
Don Voegeli, “A Piece Of Bubble Gum” from Instant Production Music/Volume 18: Fine (1980 University Of Wisconsin-Extension). This was the final disc Voegeli made in the Electrosonic Studio for NPR, saying, “Fine . . . used as the title for this record to signal another termination, the end of the CPB and NPR funded project which over the years has brought you a total of twenty-six records of special production music.” Intended for private use by and for public (non-commercial) radio and TV facilities, this was one of the many broadcast library records that Voegeli created in a well-equipped electronic music studio that included a Moog Modular III. 1:07
Don Voegeli, “Follow the Leader” from Instant Production Music/Volume 18: Fine (1980 University Of Wisconsin-Extension). Produced by the Electrosonic Studio. 1:52
Opening background music: Barton McLean, “Dimensions I For Single Instrument And Tape” (excerpt) from American Society Of University Composers (1979 Advance Recordings). Tape composition and recording engineer, Barton McLean; Violin, Stephen Clapp. Compositions From Volume VII Of The ASUC Journal Of Music Scores. Composed while McLean was director the Electronic Music Center at the University of Texas at Austin. 13:38
Opening and closing sequences voiced by Anne Benkovitz.
Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.
See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation:
For additional notes, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.

The Silent Episode

Episode 91
The Silent Episode
Playlist
Morton Feldman, “Intersection” (1953) from First Recordings: 1950s (1999 Mode). Feldman, like Cage, had already been a proponent of including silence in his pieces. Feldman was a part of the Project of Music for Magnetic Tape (1951 to 1954), an artist’s collective founded by Cage to explore experiments in magnetic tape music. From this period came several works, the most famous of which was Williams Mix (1952) by Cage. For Williams Mix, Cage commissioned the recording of hundreds of taped sounds by Louis and Bebe Barron and then specified how to splice them together using a daunting 192-page graphical composition created using chance operations. Cage conceived the work for eight tracks of magnetic tape played simultaneously. The other members of the collective, in addition to helping edit Williams Mix, also created some unique works of their own using the same library of sounds. Feldman was one of these composers but took a decidedly different approach than Cage. For Intersection, Feldman used a graphic score composed of a grid, a method he had been testing for various instrumental works such as Intersections No. 1 for Piano (1951). The score could be likened to a sheet of graph paper with one row assigned to each of the eight channels. Each square, or cell, of each row represented a unit of time to be occupied by either a sound or silence. The sounds were assigned only as numbers representing the lengths of tape snippets to be used, thus regulating the duration of individual sounds. The sequence and simultaneity of the audio was dictated by the “intersection” of sounds and silences across the columns of the score. The realization of the piece was left in the hands of Cage and Earle Brown, who assembled the tape segments by following the grid score. The choice of sounds drawn from the tape library was left to the executors of the score. Whereas Cage had not actually specified the use of silence in the score of Williams Mix, Feldman clearly had, and this is evident from the result. Speaking about the piece later, Feldman famously said that he “loathed the sound of electronic music.” He disliked the labor of executing a piece by cutting up magnetic tape and didn’t feel the result was justifiably unique. He also said, “John [Cage] says that experimental music is where the outcome cannot be foreseen. . . . After my first adventure in electronic music, its outcome was foreseen.” 3:24
John Cage Variations I from Darmstadt Aural Documents Box 2 – Communication (2012 NEOS). Two Pianos, Electronics, Radio Sets, David Tudor, John Cage. This German disc is part of the Darmstadt Aural Documents projects and features recordings from 1958. This track was of the European premiere of Variations 1 and was recorded at the International Ferienkurse für Neue Musik Darmstadt September 3, 1958. This track is enlightening because it not only contains a work by Cage with purposefully scored silences, albeit by chance operations, but is also a live recording with an audience. You can clearly hear how the audience responds during the silent passages, mostly in their bemusement. Whereas the implied humor was unintentional, I often experienced this phenomenon while seeing a Cage performance. I wanted to include this as an example of what can happen when silence becomes part of a live performance. Chance operations were used to determine the placement and duration of silences. 8:50
John Cage, “WBAI” (1960) from Early Electronic And Tape Music (2014 Sub Rosa). Sine wave oscillator, record player, synthesizer, radio. Description of the piece from the score in the Edition Peters catalogue (1962) of Cage's works: “Certain operations may be found impossible e.g., 3 or 4 at once. Let the operator do what he can without calling in assistants.” Chance operations were used to determine the placement and duration of silences. This performance for sine wave oscillator, record player, synthesizer, radio. Not performed by Cage and recorded in 2013 by participants following the score. Originally presented on WBAI (NY) as a solo work scored for performance with Cage's lecture ("Where Are We Going? And What Are We Doing?"). From the comments of the score: “This composition may be used in whole or in part by an operator of machines.” Personnel on this disc include, Square-wave oscillator, Auxiliary Sounds, Radio, Robert Worby; Performer, Langham Research Centre Auxiliary Sounds, Cassette, Open-reel tape, Radio, Iain Chambers; Synthesizer, Auxiliary Sounds, Spoken Word, Philip Tagney; Turntables, Auxiliary Sounds, Open-reel tape, Felix Carey. 7:04
John Cage, David Tudor, “Klangexperimente (Sound Experiment)” 1963 from Siemens-Studio Für Elektronische Musik (1998 Siemens Kultur Programm). Interesting collection of tracks by a variety of artists invited to explore the technological possibilities of the early "Studio for Electronic Music" built and run by Siemens since 1956 in Munich and Ulm. In the case of the Cage piece, both Cage and Tudor programmed this work using punch cards, an early computer control device. Chance operations were used to determine the placement and duration of silences. 1:58
Henri Pousseur, “Scambi (Exchanges)” (1957) from Panorama Des Musiques Expérimentales (1964 Philips) is an electronic music tape composition by the Belgian composer , realized in 1957 at the Studio di Fonologia musicale di Radio Milano. Pousseur fluidly added silence patches throughout this piece, using them to create tension due to their unpredictable nature. This is an analog recording, so the silences include an abundance of tape hiss. 6:27
Ton Bruynèl, “Reflexen (Reflexes)” (1961) from Anthology of Dutch Electronic Tape Music: Volume 1 (1955-1966) (1978 Composer’s Voice). Recorded in Bruynèl private electronic music studio. Another tape work that shows the potential for splicing in silence as a tool of the composer. The silences are carefully added from about the 2:14 to 4:00 mark to underscore the accelerating pace of the music. Note that the original recording has rumble from what sounds like a turntable, plus tape hiss, so the “silences” are not as abject as they are in digital recordings. 4:41
MEV (Musica Elettronica Viva), “Spacecraft” from Live Electronic Music Improvised (1970 Mainstream). Performers, Alan Bryant, Alvin Curran, Frederic Rzewski, Ivan Vandor, Richard Teitelbaum (Moog Modular synthesizer). The liner notes described the following editing process for this album that includes the random insertion of silent passages within the recorded live tracks: “The tape has been edited and interspersed with silence in accordance with a random number programme to give a representative cross-section of a concert lasting two hours.” 19:50
Maggi Payne, “Scirocco” from Crystal (1986 Lovely Music Ltd.). Composed, engineered, performed by Maggi Payne. This beautiful piece of ghostly, haunting sounds is long enough to create an expectation of a continuous soundscape, only to two drop off in two spots to present long silent or nearly silent passages. 10:26
Mika Vainio, “In a Frosted Lake” from Aíneen Musta Puhelin = Black Telephone Of Matter (2009 Touch). Produced and recorded in Berlin 2008. This piece seems to be about amplitude and inaudible frequencies, frameworked by silences. There is a pattern of eight peak tones from the start to the end of the piece. In between these peaks are quieter sounds and silences, with a tension that leans toward achieving a silent state. 5:53
Giancarlo Mangini, “September 14, 2020, from 4.50a.m. to 5.02a.m. ...and remember what peace there may be in silence” from Electronic Music Philosophy, Vol. 27: Silence (2020 Bandcamp). From the twenty-seventh collection of tracks from the collective known as Electronic Music Philosophy (Tustin, California) came this disc devoted to works composed using silence as a principal technique. In this work, there is a steady pattern of silences from start to finish, but the duration of the silences gradually increases in many instances as the work progresses. 11:38
Richard Chartier, “Herein, Then” from Other Materials(2002 3Particles). This disc includes is a compilation of tracks and unreleased works from 1999-2001. Limited to 500 copies. Composed, produced, programmed, and performed by Richard Chartier. As with many of his tracks, Chartier explores the outer reaches of human hearing. Many of the sounds in this track cannot be heard when played on loudspeakers with even moderate background noise. There are actually only two spots of abject, digital silence in this track, although due to the low frequency and amplitude of many of the other electronic tones, you might think there in nothing there. This is a clever, psychological trick. 5:02
Marina Rosenfeld, “Formal Arrangement” from Plastic Materials (2009 Room40). Composed and performed by Marina Rosenfeld. Among the various commissions found on this disc is this solo electronic work. A pattern of silences in which 25 evenly-spaced sound events, mostly gong- or bell-like tones, are each followed by a fade and then a discrete, abject silence. 2:35
Tetsu Inoue, “Super Digital” from Fragment Dots (2000 Tzadik). Composed, Programmed by Tetsu Inoue. I knew Tetsu and he would probably be embarrassed to know that I counted every conceivable “digital” silence in this special piece of music. There are 293 of them that I think one can perceive. Many are short, but because silence is an important structural component of this work, I thought it warranted a fresh listen. The longest of these silences is but 2.5 seconds. The shortness of all the tones, either audible or silent, works together to form a unity. 3:39
Miki Yui, “Balloon” from Small Sounds (1999 BMP Lab). Composed, engineered, and performed by Miki Yui. Recorded in Cologne, Germany. The composer wrote, “small sounds are to merge and fuse with your acoustic environment—please play in a transparent level; in different atmosphere.” In this piece, the silences are placed in the middle of sounds to break up an otherwise continuous noise. 2:57
Opening background music:
Mooshzoom, “Silence” from Electronic Music Philosophy, Vol. 27: Silence (2020 Bandcamp). From the twenty-seventh collection of tracks from the collective known as Electronic Music Philosophy (Tustin, California) came this disc devoted to works composed using silence as a principal technique.
Plus clips from the following as examples: Amelie Lens, “Resonance” from Contradiction (2017 Second State); Nora En Pure, “Norma Jean” from Come With Me (2013 Enormous Tunes).
Opening and closing sequences voiced by Anne Benkovitz.
Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.
See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation:
For additional notes, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.
 

The Electronic Music of Ryuichi Sakamoto

Episode 90
The Electronic Music of Ryuichi Sakamoto
Playlist
Ryuichi Sakamoto and Alva Noto, “Second Dream” from The Revenant (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2015 new regency Music). Composed, performed, and produced by Alva Noto, Ryuichi Sakamoto. 1:13
Ryuichi Sakamoto and Taylor Deupree, “Jyaku” from Disappearance (2013 Commons). Piano, Electronics, Ryuichi Sakamoto; Synthesizer, Tapes, Loops, Acoustic Guitar, Mixer, Taylor Deupree. 9:59
Alva Noto and Ryuichi Sakamoto, “Avaol” from Insen (2005 Raster-Noton). German release featuring Noto and Ryuichi electronic treatments to musical phrases Sakamoto played on the piano. Music by Alva Noto, Ryuichi Sakamoto; Piano, Ryuichi Sakamoto; Additional Sound, Carsten Nicolai (Alva Noto). 2:50
Alva Noto and Ryuichi Sakamoto, “ax Mr. L.” from revep (2006 Raster-Noton). German release. Noto and Ryuichi electronic treatments to musical phrases Sakamoto played on the piano. Music by Alva Noto, Ryuichi Sakamoto; Piano, Ryuichi Sakamoto; Additional Sound, Carsten Nicolai (Alva Noto). 4:20
Alva Noto and Ryuichi Sakamoto, “mur” from revep (2006 Raster-Noton). German release. Noto and Ryuichi electronic treatments to musical phrases Sakamoto played on the piano. Music by Alva Noto, Ryuichi Sakamoto; Piano, Ryuichi Sakamoto; Additional Sound, Carsten Nicolai (Alva Noto). 8:14
Ryuichi Sakamoto, “Solari” from Async (2017 Commons). Japanese release. Music and production by Ryuichi Sakamoto. 3:52
Fennesz and Sakamoto “0322” from Flumina (2011 Touch). Guitar, Laptop, Christian Fennesz; Piano, Laptop, Ryuichi Sakamoto. Recorded at Amann Studios, Vienna and KA+B Studios, NY and Japan. 5:35
Ryuichi Sakamoto, “Sunset” from Comica (2002 WEA Japan). Composed, performed and mixed by Ryuichi Sakamoto. This album is listed as one of his special projects consisting of diary sketches in sound. Described as “an ambient oriented compilation of Sakamoto's music journal from 2001 after eye-witnessing 9/11 from his home NYC.” This one of his most moving essays in sound, consisting of his piano sketches treated with electronics. The progression of the album is presented in the order of the day and concludes with “Radical Fashion.” 8:47
Ryuichi Sakamoto, “Night” from Comica (2002 WEA Japan). Composed, performed and mixed by Ryuichi Sakamoto. 7:37
Ryuichi Sakamoto, “Radical Fashion” from Comica (2002 WEA Japan). Composed, performed and mixed by Ryuichi Sakamoto. 5:07
Ryuichi Sakamoto, “Zure” from Async (2017 Commons). Japanese release. Music and production by Ryuichi Sakamoto. 5:12
Ryuichi Sakamoto, “Out of Horse” from The Revenant (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2015 new regency Music). Composed, performed, and produced by Ryuichi Sakamoto; Ondes Martenot, Motoko Oya. 3:57
Ryuichi Sakamoto, “Borom Gal” from Heartbeat (1991 Virgin). Concertmaster, strings, David Nadien; Lead vocal and words, Youssou N'Dour; Music by Ryuichi Sakamoto, Youssou N'Dour; Programmed, Performed, and mixed by Ryuichi Sakamoto. This is one of those star-studded albums that had pop appeal. Still, the electronics and digital editing of this track, especially in 1991, make this track stand out. 3:57
Ryuichi Sakamoto, “Fullmoon” from Async (2017 Commons). Japanese release. Music and production by Ryuichi Sakamoto. 5:13
Ryuichi Sakamoto, “Nuages” from Heartbeat (1991 Virgin). Lead Vocals, Houria Aichi; traditional song; Programmed, Performed, and mixed by Ryuichi Sakamoto. This little work from Heartbeat always reminded me of something you would have expected to hear in the movie Blade Runner. 2:15
Ryuichi Sakamoto, “Island of Woods” from Thousand Knives Of (1978 Better Days). On this album, not necessarily this track, Sakamoto plays Ryuichi Sakamoto plays: Moog III-C w. Roland MC-8 Micro Composer; Polymoog; Minimoog; Micro Moog; Oberheim Eight Voice Polyphonic w. Digital Programmer; ARP Odyssey; KORG PS-3100 Polyphonic; KORG VC-10 Vocoder; KORG SQ-10 Analog Sequencer; Syn-Drums; Acoustic Piano;Marimba. Recorded from 4/10 to 7/27, 1978 at Columbia Studio No.1, No.2, & No.4, Tokyo. 9:51
Ryuichi Sakamoto, “Stakra” from Async (2017 Commons). Japanese release. Music and production by Ryuichi Sakamoto. 3:41
Ryuichi Sakamoto, “Tokyo Story” from Sweet Revenge (1994 Elektra). Produced, composed, keyboards, computer programming, Ryuichi Sakamoto. Recorded at 11-K Studios, NYC, Clindton Studios, NYC, Paradise Studios, Tokyo, Unique Studios, NYC, Sedic Studios, Tokyo, Metropolis Studios, London, Westside Studios, London, Skyline Studios, NYC, Right Track Studios, NYC. 1:17
Ryuichi Sakamoto, “Plankton” (excerpt) from Plankton (Music For An Installation By Christian Sardet And Shiro Takatani) (2016 Milan). French recording of an installation piece by Sakamoto. The entire work is nearly an hour long; this is an excerpt from the beginning of that work. Mixed, produced, composed by Ryuichi Sakamoto; Producer, Lucille Reyboz, Yusuke Nakanishi; Sound programming, Satoshi Hama; Video programming, Ken Furudate, Ryo Shiraki. 7:47
Ryuichi Sakamoto, “Undercooled (Alva Noto Remodel)” from Bricolages (2006 Warner Music Japan). Rap, MC Sniper; Remix, Alva Noto. This is an interesting album of Sakamoto remixes with a rap track reimagined by the mixing of Carsten Nicolai. 4:44
Ryuichi Sakamoto, “A Wongga Dance Song” from Esperanto (1985 School). Composed, Arranged, and performed by, Ryuichi Sakamoto. This is one of Sakamoto’s early explorations of the power of the digital sampler and editing. Music created for a dance performance by the company Molissa Fenley and Dancers. 10:06
Ryuichi Sakamoto, “20220214” from 12 (2023 Commons). 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.” More answers to questions by Sakamoto are found here. 9:10
Ryuichi Sakamoto, “20220304” from 12 (2023 Commons). Composed, produced, performedby Ryuichi Sakamoto using sounding objects such as stones, chimes, and fragments of pottery. 1:09
Ryuichi Sakamoto, “Life, Life” from Async (2017 Commons). Japanese release. Music and production by Ryuichi Sakamoto. Sho, Ko Ishikawa; Vocals, Luca; Spoken Word, David Sylvian; Words by, Arseny Tarkovsky. 4:24
 
Opening background tracks:
Ryuichi Sakamoto, “Before Long” from Neo Geo (1987 CBS). Piano, Ryuichi Sakamoto. 1:20
Ryuichi Sakamoto, “Ulu Watu” from Esperanto (1985 School). Composed, Arranged, and performed by, Ryuichi Sakamoto. Music created for a dance performance by the company Molissa Fenley and Dancers. 3:57
Opening and closing sequences voiced by Anne Benkovitz.
Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.
See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation:
For additional notes, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.
SiteSakamoto can be found here.
The recent story about Ryuichi Sakamoto on NPR can be found here.