Members Moogasaur Posted November 8, 2011 Members Share Posted November 8, 2011 In broad categories, I think there are three types of synth examples that show synths as something other than sources of sounds for pop producers and dance stuff... whether you want to demonstrate them all, I don't know, that depends on what you're trying to do... but I think they would be(a) synthesizer versions of classical pieces a la Switched on Bach and some Tomita stuff(b) new original compositions that use nothing but (or at least primarily) synthesizers a la Synergy and Kraftwerk (and a lot of more esoteric stuff)(c) new music that relies on synthesizer but is combined with more traditional rock or jazz instrumentation/approaches a la some ELP and Weather Report Agreed (re: categorization). Instead of demonstrating 5 or 6 favorite electronic pieces, Would it be more helpful to explain / demonstrate the roles of synths in a more general sense? AnotherScott's list would be a good starting point. I'd also list the roles of synths in: d) Popular/dance music (not artistically or musically pleasing to me, but to the masses, it's made a huge impact)e) Film musicf) Underground/Noise electronic artistsg) Gaming Industry As an aside, how about dicussing/demonstrating the technical/historical aspects, such as: 1. Digital/analog2. Sampling3. Modular synths4. Controllers (ribbon controllers, DBeam, X/Y Pads, etc)5. Additive synths6. Softsynths Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Moogasaur Posted November 8, 2011 Members Share Posted November 8, 2011 Another thing I'd like to include is a "traditional" piece that is composed for synthesizer. But not weirdo noise pieces, either. Something that was composed, but for synth. I've heard of a number of pieces written for Synclavier, but not sure what. MOST pieces I've found originally composed for synth are generally BS noise or music concrete stuff, so I'm not even making a very convincing argument to myself, in that respect >_> First thing that comes to mind is Larry Fast's Synergy releases. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members liliththekitten Posted November 8, 2011 Members Share Posted November 8, 2011 1. Vangelis: Blade Runner soundtrack 2. OMD: Dazzle Ships lp 3. New Order: Elegia 4. 808 State: Pacific 5. The instrumental stuff from the Bowie/Eno lps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members liliththekitten Posted November 8, 2011 Members Share Posted November 8, 2011 The Chase and of course all of Blade Runner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members liliththekitten Posted November 8, 2011 Members Share Posted November 8, 2011 Maybe Kometenmelodie, the whole B-side of Autobahn maybe.... possibly my favorite from them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mediterranean Posted November 8, 2011 Members Share Posted November 8, 2011 The man himself playing it on his piano in 2007:) Listen to the chord at 00:42 versus the one at 00:50, the "scherzowy" passage starting at 00:55... and the descending harmony/bass notes from 01:03 to 01:06. Rich, beautiful, romantic.... nostalgic too... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mediterranean Posted November 8, 2011 Members Share Posted November 8, 2011 So far in my book, nothing beats Oxyg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mikelpanky Posted November 8, 2011 Author Members Share Posted November 8, 2011 So I definitely want to do some Vangelis and JMJ. I really feel like Kraftwerk to show off some of the earlier melodic synth exploration. Maybe include some pieces with non-synth instruments (those oddball compositions for flute, cello, and DX-7 or whatever) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gus Lozada Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Ok, on a more serious note... if I wanted to show them what synths are or have been capable of... choose your fave from the following albums:- Switched on Bach (Original release), Wendy Carlos- Oxygene, Jean Michel Jarre- Pictures at an Exhibition, TOMITA- Autobahn, Kraftwerk- Violator, Depeche Mode- The downward spiral, NiN (I'd choose its No. 1 single, "Closer")- Tron Legacy, Daft Punk. Yeah, I'm serious. Nice analoguesque but yet modern piece of work. Perhaps not "so interesting musically" but in sound design... it rules.- and yes... Pop Corn!! As usual, it's hard to define a "Top Five" out of such a huge concept like "synth music". But if this helps, be my guest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members gregwar Posted November 8, 2011 Members Share Posted November 8, 2011 i always really liked this piece: the opening theme for solaris (1972) is synthesized i think[video=youtube;wlD-9uwHA40] here are some modern classical entries from headphone commute:http://reviews.headphonecommute.com/tag/modern-classical/ artists i really like from this period are ben frost, murcof, clint mansell, alva noto, monolake, fennesz, hecq, subheim, etc etc all have music that may be appropriate (though clearly not all of their works) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Re-Member Posted November 8, 2011 Members Share Posted November 8, 2011 The history of this guy during his jazz period would be enough to convert others, many of his songs popped up in Looney Tunes, plus his electronic experiments were actually quite poppy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mpegsucks Posted November 8, 2011 Members Share Posted November 8, 2011 Todd Dockstaderand if you even want to get even trippierget Seastones and there is amazing programming on Todd Rundgrens A Wizard a True Star, and the B-side of Initiation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members liliththekitten Posted November 8, 2011 Members Share Posted November 8, 2011 yessssss I love Solaris. The soundtrack was done on the ANS photo-optic synthesizer, more in it here and its so cool and Russian: http://gizmodo.com/5792265/download-the-synthesized-score-to-the-classic-70s-sci+fi-film-solaris-recorded-on-photo+optic-light-discs http://m.matrixsynth.com/2009/04/eduard-artemyev-and-ans-synthesizer.html http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2011/04/16/free-download-the-electronic-soundtrack-to-the-70s-sci-fi-classic-solaris/ Coil recorded an album with this same synth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mikelpanky Posted November 8, 2011 Author Members Share Posted November 8, 2011 Pop Corn!! As usual, it's hard to define a "Top Five" out of such a huge concept like "synth music". But if this helps, be my guest Hmm...I like "Son of Flynn" from Tron. I'd rather not sing, so that kind of knocks out Downward Spiral. (remember, these will be performed live) I'd think Computer Love from Kraftwerk. I'm not sure. Gus seems to be getting the idea, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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