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| |  | Health, Mind & Body | Home » » » Switched-On Bach | | | | | | | Description: | | Wendy Carlos's Switched-On Bach is one of those rare novelty recordings that never gets boring. In the capable hands of Carlos, Bach's keyboard masterpieces sound like they were made for the otherworldly blurps, farts, and chimes of a Moog synthesizer. And, in a sense, they were. Bach's inventive music doesn't lose any of it's contrapuntal punch in these complicated arrangements and, novelties aside, the playing is great on this Grammy Award-winning classic. Whether performing Bach's "Two-Part Inventions," "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring," or "Wachet Auf," Carlos offers one-of-a-kind interpretations, her synthesizers still sounding as otherworldly as they did in 1968. This is one of those weird and wonderful classical releases that anyone--classical scholar or pop enthusiast--can enjoy. A Switched-On box set exists, capturing most of Carlos's baroque-gone-berserk output, but this is the disc that started it all. In a word, fun. --Jason Verlinde | | | Product Details: | | | Audio CD Release Date:
| October 02, 2001 | | Studio:
| East Side Digital | | Number Of Discs:
| 1 | | Format:
| Enhanced, Original recording remastered | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 54 reviews |
| | | Track Listing: | | | 1. | Sinfonia to Cantata #29 | |
| | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
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 One of my all time favoritesJul 13, 2010
I started listening to this as an LP and a cassette my dad made me, back when it was originally released. Before his death he bought both the volume 1 and 2 CD on my advice. I am not as hardcore a classical music fan as my dad however this is one of my favorite albums of all time. I'm not one for long pontificating reviews, either it speaks to you or it does not. This speaks to me. Thank You Wendy.
Best Classical Music ever !Apr 20, 2010
I have this on vinyl, and it was produced by Walter Carlos, before he became Wendy Carlos.
Very crisp, very clear. Meant to be played loud ! The digital version is better than the original analog/vinyl. The extra track in which Wendy explains the recording process is a great bonus.
Bloom ReviewApr 20, 2010
The album Switched-On Bach, composed by Wendy Carlos and released in 1968, put an electrical spin on classical song written by Johannes Bach. Using the Moog synthesizer Carlos was able to bring electronic music into the realm of popular music. The album Switched-On Bach was one of the first classical albums to sell over 500,000 copies, and was even fortunate enough to make it onto the Top 40 charts in 1969. At the 1970 Grammy awards the album took home four awards including best classical album, best classical music performance, best instrumental soloist, and best engineered classical recording.
The album draws mainly from the instrument the Moog synthesizer, developed by Dr. Robert Moog and displayed at the Monterey International Pop Festival in 1967. The pieces that Wendy Carlos performs were fugues intended for string trios that were composed by Bach in 1782. Carlos stumbled upon the desire to perform these pieces when working with Ben Folkman at the Colombia-Princeton Music Center in 1964-1965. After listening to a performance of "Invention #8 In F" Carlos deemed it necessary to create an entire album strictly using electronic instruments. The piece "2-Part Invention #8 In F" is the third song on this particular album and is quite short, being only 0:44 long. It delivers a playful yet sophisticated sound that progresses beautifully though the piece. In this certain piece Carlos is able to display her virtuosic abilities on the Moog with an immense amount of clarity and precision. The flawless performance by Carlos only adds to the entertaining and extremely interesting nature of her music style.
Another impressive track on this album is "Air On The G String," also known as "Orchestral Suite #3 In D." This piece is performed at a much slower pace and gives off a feeling of elegance and sophistication. The timbre in the piece has a rounded feel to it, and sounds similar to an oboe or a clarinet. One could see this as a piece that could be put on after dinner in a casual or a formal setting, and would act perfectly as a background music. What makes this album even more incredible are the multiple ways in which Carlos is able to manipulate the Moog synthesizer. Carlos changes both timbres as well as the style of the attack and decay from song to song allowing the Moog to satisfy her particular goals in this album. A great example of this can be seen in the "Brandenburg Concerto #3 In G," in which multiple timbres are used. The Allegro portion of the piece makes it seem as if the listener is transported back to the 18th century. The climax of the piece gives off a feeling of emotion; something that one would not associate initially with electronic music. The thought and feeling put into each song only adds to the albums excellence.
As a whole the album Switched-On Bach is a great example of virtuosic electronic music. Wendy Carlos' ability to perform using the Moog in different manner throughout the album delivers an impressive rendition of classical Bach pieces. I would recommend this album to anybody who has an interest in electronic music, as it is one of the first electronic albums that achieved great success. It offers a sight into the development of electronic music as well as offering a pleasant listening experience. I would give this album 5/5 stars!
still switched onMar 19, 2010
Very, very rarely does an album affect so many people similarly. And yet reading these reviews, I could have written almost all of them: how worn out my copy of Switched-on Bach was, how it was one of the most memorable albums of my life, how it turned me on to the brilliance of Bach, etc. An album for the ages, comparable, in different ways, to Meet the Beatles and Tubular Bells.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 A Musical ImpactMar 16, 2010
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.
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