The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) shared this vintage look at the synthesizers and electronic instruments of composer and concert pianist Percy Grainger.
Grainger (1882 – 1961) was born in Australia, but lived in the US from 1914 on.
In his later years, he worked with physicist Burnett Cross to create ‘free music machines’. In the video, Cross discusses how the instruments were designed to explore Grainger’s concepts for new types of music.
I had only been aware of Grainger’s name as the composer of English Country Garden. I’d no idea that he was a pioneer in this area. I must hear more!
Nice find!
free music for free minds
good onya Percy!
Grainger’s composition reminds me of the sounds I’ve heard on shortwave radio. As for it being too difficult to play, I’m not sure about that. Trombones and slide guitars come to mind.
Hi Brian, FM-1 has 4x greater two octave continuous gliding tones, FM-2 has 6x five octave continuous gliding tones. A big ask for a trombone or guitar!