Search - Beaver & Krause :: Nonesuch Guide to Electronic Music

A Fundamentals Classic

Scott R. Sommers | Houston, TX United States | 07/28/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you are interested in the building blocks of analog synthesis, this is an essential tool. Even if you are into digital synthesis, it is a great primer for the fundamentals of electronic music. The record begins with a short, pleasant piece and then proceeds to sonically illustrate what sounds are and what they sound like. To some, once they get past the full piece, the rest will be tedious. To others, the rest will be like being taught the ABCs and will become a point of departure for conscious and knowing listening and composition. Like the Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds" boxed set, you hear the finished product, and then you get to hear it deconstructed and put together. Hopefully the CD will have the book that accompanied the record. It augments visually what the record demonstrates aurally. Originally an LP-based boxed set released by Nonesuch when it was a leading edge budget label headed by the honorable Teresa Stern and when synthesizers were still exotic, mine is a worn, battered and valued part of my record collection."