Johann Sebastian Bach, Wendy Carlos - Switched-On Bach
|
Our Price: $69.98 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Free Music Notes for Switched-On Bach
Free Music Review: A Musical Impact
Hit: 4 Stars
Background
The album Switched-On Bach was originally released in 1968 on an 8 track vinyl record. The album was composed by Wendy Carlos and Benjamin Folkman and produced by Wendy Carlos and Rachel Elkind. Switched On Bach is comprised of selected portions of John Sebastian Bach's work. Switched On Bach is primarily articulated with the Moog Modular synthesizer, which derives its name from its creator Dr. Robert Arthur Moog.
Success
The original estimation of CBS records, the record company responsible, originally under estimated the specialness of Switched On Bach, by releasing it with other lesser quality albums which upset Windy Carlos enough that she refrained from attending the debut, which ultimately received the deserved respect of listeners.
Switched On Bach's accomplishments include: one of the first classical albums to sell 500,000 copies and go platinum, success on Billboard charts climbing into the top ten, contending in the top 40 for weeks and remaining in the top 200 for over a year, and receiving Grammys for Best Classical Album, Best Classical Music Performance (Instrumental Soloist) and Best Engineered Classical Recording.
Historical Significance
The amount of success accomplished by Wendy Carlos's Switch On Bach has historical significance in its importance in establishing the Moog synthesizer. Switched On Bach is generally accredited with building the eventual good reputation of the Moog Modular synthesizer. Wendy Carlos worked with Robert Moog throughout the production of the album developing and improving the Moog Modular synthesizer system. The Moog synthesizer was a revolutionary and unique instrument at the time. Switched On Bach was responsible for the commercial and musical breakthrough of the Moog synthesizer in to somewhat mainstream music. The popularity of the Moog synthesizer inspired an explosion of interest, craft and production of other synthesizers helping establish Robert Moog as the Godfather of the synthesizer. Specifically the mobility, and therefore the ability to be able to be used in live performances, which was previously unavailable for the type of instrument, allowed the Moog synthesizer to be establish through Wendy Carlos's Switched On Bach.
Switched On Bach also played a key role in overturning the previously negative critical opinion of using electronic synthesizers to perform classical music. Prior to Switched On Bach's arrival such music was disregarded as being pop-py or a bad trend. In general the album led to the reception of solely electronically produced music.
Production
Due to the original and innovative style, lack of modern computer technology, the complexity and depth of the album and to taking time to select appropriate choices, the album took painstaking attention to detail and time commitment. Carlos's talent as a musician and studio engineer can not be denied, demonstrated in Switched On Bach.
Personal Review
Originally conservative critics dismissed Wendy Carlos's work as a disrespectful re-production of classic works. However, I interpret Switched On Bach as a modern tribute to a traditional piece. I think that Wendy Carlos remains true to the original pieces and tones. While remaining true, Wendy Carlos was also able to display her own personality as well as the technology of the time. Switched On Bach is a refreshing new look at a music classic.
Free Music Review: A solid reproduction of the original
Hit: 4 Stars
I fondly remember wearing out the original LP version of this recording when it came out, I listened to it so much. (Actually, one of the best things about having this CD is that it doesn't have the skips and clicks that I memorized as if they were part of Bach's music...) Having it back in my listenable collection is a treat.Granted, these performances do not compete with the kinds of things that people can do with synths and computers nowadays. But it certainly was VERY different when it originally came out. It opened whole new vistas that Carlos and others have been exploring ever since. The VERY free rendering of the second movement of the 3rd Brandenburg can still hold its own with some of the latest synth stuff.
The last track ("Initial Experiments") is an added bonus. It consists of Carlos explaining some of the ideas that were originally tried when doing the recording, along with some of those cast-off takes. For the technically inclined, something that's especially interesting is an explanation of "tuned white noise", which is one of the timbres that I could not figure out how to reproduce when I had an electronic music class in college (in the late 70's), and had to fight with a Moog similar to what Carlos used. The instrument was a beast -- getting one sound just right could take hours.
Do you absolutely HAVE to own this recording? Not unless you're a music history professor, or a collector of historic recordings. But it's still just as much fun as it was back then.
Free Music Review: A timeless classic
Hit: 4 Stars
As so many before have commented, I grew up on this LP from the early 60's. Coming from a "classical music" family, it is somewhat surprising that it was in our collection which used to only fit into the storage space of the Magnovox stereo console (if you remember those) - a stereo designed to be a turntable with speakers that looked like a single piece of furniture.
We never really sat and listened to it, we solely cleaned house to it like Tazmanian Devils. It was really quite motivating. I don't play it nearly as much today as we did then but when I do, I find myself uncontrollably dusting or washing windows. And while I do these things, I find myself paying close attention to the music, which is unique in every sense of the word. Then before I realize it, the CD is over and I have cleaned my entire living room and kitchen house without a grudge.
Wendy Carlos and her Moog synthesizer have produced a sound from Bach which will always bring us home. My father always said that Bach was probably rolling in his grave but that didn't stop dad from playing it. And I'm not sure that I agree with that statement. It is a wonderful way to introduce Bach to many audiences. It has stood up to the course of time. I'm not at all ashamed to have in in my classical music library. I give it a 4 star only because, given the option, I will always prefer the none-electric approach when listening to classical music.
Free Music Review: Ah, the memories.
Hit: 4 Stars
Way back in 1969, I was a young high school student hearing this 'album' for the first time. Our music teacher played the album for us. I fell in love with it instantly. Over all these years I regretted not buying the album. I would search from to time, to no avail that is, until recently when a search of Amazon lead to this rediscovery. Wendy Carlos does a fantastic job with Bach compositions. All the complexities, vitality and fluid like properties of Bach's music is faithfully interpreted on what was, experimental electronic moog synth. What an accomplishment ! Superb.
Please do yourself a favour and buy this CD. I think most music enthusiasts will want this CD. If you grew up in the sixties and seventies and loved the music variety of that era, you will enjoy this CD.
I enjoy Bach also. For me, this CD is a good marriage.
The bonus is track 13. Wendy's narrative. Thank you Wendy
Free Music Review: wonderful album but. . .
Hit: 4 Stars
I have always enjoyed this album and Well-Tempered Synthesizer ever since they came out in LP form when I was young.
The thing that ruins the CD for me is the very last track on both albums, where Wendy discusses the making of the album, called Initial experiments.
I think that is fun to listen to the first time you play it, but then it is obnoxious when you are playing it as you work around the house. Your home is filled with music, then suddenly, there is talking and some obnoxious noises. It just shouldn't be there.
And to do this to both albums is very disappointing. It is hard to ignore, as it is a 8:35 minute track!
I solved this by burning both albums onto another CD and eliminating the experiment tracks. But I would rather have the original CD's and eliminate those tracks.