Classical Music Forum banner

Electroacoustic Music Listening Group Selection Thread

1226 Views 30 Replies 14 Participants Last post by  maladie
Dear Talk Classical,

Ok, I think I will launch a new thread, for the discussion of electroacoustic art music of the 20th and 21st centuries. This thread here is to assemble a list of weekly listening suggestions to focus the discussion, as TC has done with string quartets, music from 1980-2000, etc.

Here are the ground rules. In general, these are not up for debate.

1. The selection must contain an electroacoustic source as a significant component of the composition. "Electroacoustic" means something requiring electricity as a means of sound production. This includes analogue (tape) or digital media playback, or electronic instruments such as a theremin or digital keyboard.

2. The selection must be firmly in the "art music" tradition. No electronica. No EDM. No popular music genres or sub-genres. No ambient music. Tangerine Dream, Kraftwerk, etc., are out.

3. The selection may include electroacoustic sources combined or blended with purely acoustic instruments or voices, e.g. instrument(s) or voice(s) with fixed media playback, or altered via live signal processing.

4. The selection may be exclusively electroacoustic, e.g. musique concrète, a "tape piece," or computer music.

5. The selection must be readily available for quality listening via Internet streaming or commercial physical media.

6. The person making the selection should be prepared to introduce the piece for the week and lead the discussion.

Ok, let's hear your suggestions! When we have enough (say, at least ten) contributions within say a week, I'll launch the listening discussion thread.

Thanks for participating!

Your pal,

Knorf
  • Like
Reactions: 2
21 - 31 of 31 Posts
My favorite pieces of this kind are ones that I imprinted from, off early LPs. This would include Henri Pousseur's Trois Visages de Liege, Milton Babbitt's Philomel and Ensembles for Synthesizer, John Cage's Fontana Mix, Karlheinz Stockhausen's Song of the Youths, and Luciano Berio's Differences.

I think that the discussion should initially focus on "classic" works of the genre.
The problem with all that modernist music is that it's soooooo old fashioned! Microphonie I anybody? I thought of choosing it and came across this old film which I hadn't seen before

If I add in my own selection, we're only at 9. I'm not sure interest is sufficient to sustain this thread, if I'm honest. Thoughts?
I think a few of you know a lot and most of us know a little. Maybe alter the selection process so you include a handful of classics and works that illustrate different types of electroacoustic music.

Maybe restart the whole process and ask “who would be interested in the forum” and at the same time garner ideas about selecting works.

After all is said and done, I think if you don’t get at least a dozen people interested, I don’t think I’d do it.
I could certainly sprinkle in a few classics that I choose myself. I don't have the most exhaustive knowledge of this genre, but I do know a fair amount.
Alright, can I have metallic percussion, avant-garde music with power tools and shouted German vocals? It's pretty out there.
  • Like
Reactions: 1
I might participate, but the only one I know is Stockhausen. I am now at work, so I will try to find work to nominate later
Alright, can I have metallic percussion, avant-garde music with power tools and shouted German vocals? It's pretty out there.
Merl, if you're thinking Einstürzende Neubauten, I suspect they don't count ("popular music genre"), but I could be wrong. Don't want you to have two yellow cards! (Wish I could contribute to this thread; I know nothing, though am much interested...)
Merl, if you're thinking Einstürzende Neubauten, I suspect they don't count ("popular music genre"), but I could be wrong. Don't want you to have two yellow cards! (Wish I could contribute to this thread; I know nothing, though am much interested...)
Good spot, it is Einsturzende Neubaten but I'd hardly describe stuff like 'Steh auf Berlin' as 'popular music'. :lol:
  • Like
Reactions: 1
Bernard Parmegiani - Espèces d'espaces

BTW, is spectralism (Tristan Murail) electroacoustic music?
^ I believe it depends on the instrumentation and recording technique.
This topic really needs to be revived. There's so much fantastic electroacoustic music and it is part of the classical tradition.

I have been really enjoying this piece by Dennis Smalley recently: Sommeil de Rameau — electrothèque
I enjoy a lot of Smalley's work (both musical and academic) but it's rare that I listen to his music. This one though has been on my ears most of the week while at work.
  • Like
Reactions: 1
21 - 31 of 31 Posts
Top