Barry Schrader

“Despite the popularity of such electronic keyboardists as Wendy Carlos and the musical sophistication of many self-styled 'turntablists', electronic music is generally a rather polarized affair, segregated into superficial marketers seeking the lowest common denominator and uncompromising explorers who serve as a musical research and development division.  Composers like Barry Schrader, the founder of SEAMUS (Society of Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States) prove that one needn't necessarily choose between the two.  This collection of Schrader's electro-acoustic studio work from the past 13 or so years embodies both an immediately graspable sound world and enough abstraction to keep the mind engaged.  Despite the intervening years, there is remarkable sonic consistency between Bachahama (1986), and electronic deconstruction of Bach's C minor fugue and Air on the G string, and Triptych (rev. 2000), the most recent and fully illustrative example of Schrader's compositional approach.  Unlike many of his electronic brethren, Schrader keeps his focus on pitch and rhythm, if not always at the same time.  Beyond that, he has managed to implement timbre fully as a structural tool – a point that many composers have discussed without true success.   That he relies on knobs and buttons rather than live players accounts for some measure of Schrader's success.  But even still, scores of studio musicians have toiled in a studio without stumbling upon anything resembling a distinctive voice.  Schrader's palate is admittedly limited ('spacebound electronics', the record label calls it), and at just under 50 minutes the recording comes in a bit short.  But listeners will almost certainly recognize Schrader's work the next time around.” - Ken Smith

“The Electric Music Box, aka the Buchla 200 Analog Modular Synthesizer, and the quadrophonic hi-fi systems that were sold to play the music created on it, are about as hard to find these days as the mythic continent Plato describes in his Critias. "I sometimes think that much of this music of Californian counterculture in the 70s simply vanished when Quad was abandoned," writes Gary Chang, who has painstakingly remixed and remastered the four track originals of these two monumental works by Barry Schrader. Both "Trinity" (1976) and "Lost Atlantis" (1977) were recorded in Studio B303 in CalArts, where Schrader has been teaching since 1971 (there's a cracking photo of him in a pigsty on the CalArts Faculty Website), using the venerable Buchla machine and four additional "Fortune modules" specially designed by Yamaha engineer Fukushi 'Fortune' Kawakami . Analog synth buffs and youngsters whose idea of electronic music is loading up a soundfile and clicking nonchalantly on some nifty program called Munch or Scrunch will enjoy the flowcharts and circuit diagrams, but what about the music? Schrader gives the game away a little when he writes that "Trinity" was "composed in rondo – variations form".. one would like to think that with patience and plenty of imagination both of these pieces could be successfully scored for symphony orchestra without compromising their structural or harmonic integrity (though of course they couldn't – the Buchla machine's timbral sophistication is far too complex to be imitated with any accuracy by conventional instrumental forces) – they feel orchestral, or at least symphonic (as opposed to the more consciously experimental "pure electronics" of Albert Mayr.. see above). There's a great sweep to Schrader's work that puts it more in line with ambitious large-scale electronic works by the likes of Stockhausen ("Hymnen"), Eloy ("Shanti") and Henry (take your pick), a line that can be traced backwards to Mahler, Bruckner and Beethoven. I'll bet Ludwig Van would have loved the Electric Music Box” - Dan Warburton

“Barry Schrader - EAM EAM collects tracks from the last 15 years or so by electro-acoustic pioneer Barry Schrader. Most of the work that Schrader presents here is entirely electronic. One piece, Dance from the Outside, combines electronic timbres with music concrete sound manipulation. Schrader does not discuss his techniques or tools, suggesting that the tracks should speak for themselves. In his liner notes, Schrader argues that "The various technologies behind the compositions on this CD...are...of little or no importance to the value of the music presented. I hope that the listener will simply accept these works for what they are: forays into musical invention and explorations of the world of sound. Schrader is a long-time advocate of electro-acoustic music, as an educator, author and composer. Schrader is also the founder and the first president of SEAMUS, the Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States. Electro-acoustic music is a term used to describe a broad range of modern classical electronic music. It often explores the interaction of natural and electronically generated sounds and effects. As a musical genre, electro-acoustic is sort of a catch-all term. As electronica is used to refer to any pop electronic music, electro-acoustic is often used to refer to any electronic music in the classical tradition. With EAM, Schrader delivers a set of interesting and exciting pieces. The works showcase Schrader's skill at creating music that carries on the experimental tradition of classical electronic music, while still managing to be immediately accessible. The first work featured on the CD, Bachahama, reworks the music of Bach with synthesizers, but won't be mistaken for a Switched-On version. Schrader arranges the originals with imitative electronic timbres, but that doesn't seem to be the focus of this piece. He also uses the compositional capabilities offered by electronics to reshape the lines of the music, and to evolve the sound of individual voices over time. The piece draws upon two works of Bach that will be familiar to fans of classical music: the C-Minor Fugue from The Well Tempered Clavier; and the Air on the G String. Schrader creates a fast-slow-fast form by sandwiching the Air between two takes on the Fugue. In the Fugue, Schrader arranges it with percussive harpsichord-like timbres that lull the listener into expecting traditional Bach. Schrader then begins to shift notes in time, and tone clusters begin to jump out of the stream of traditional counterpoint, punctuating the fact that this is a modern reinterpretation. In the middle section, the lyrical Air is also arranged with traditional-sounding tones, but they evolve over time in ways impossible with traditional instruments. Bachahama serves as a fitting introduction to the music on the CD. The rhythms and textures of this piece, and others that Schrader presents here, have the feeling of a performance. They seem full of movement - they would be an ideal match for modern dance. With these pieces, Schrader embraces the experimental tradition of electro-acoustic music, but does not distance himself from the greater tradition of classical music. The next piece, Ground, is based on the idea of an ostinato, or repeated figure, that continues throughout a piece. Schrader's use of repeating material isn't as static as many classical examples. Like traditional works, though, much of the interest in this piece is in how the composer weaves the figure into changing contexts, sometimes bringing it to the front, and sometimes disguising it. Ground begins with a restrained expression of the figure. Schrader evolves the timbres of his voices, creating a sense of tension, and brings the piece to two clangorous climaxes before returning to the calm of the beginning. Dance from the Outside combines pure electronic sounds and sampled, or music concrete, elements. The sampled elements add a more organic texture to this piece. Schrader contrasts breathy wind tones with percussive sounds. Some listeners may hear echoes of Otto Luening's electro-acoustic flute pieces. Still Lives is a set of five brief pieces. The first piece explores slowly evolving timbres. There's no real melodic or harmonic movement, but the shifting tone color creates a feeling of constant change. The second piece is very polyrhythmic. Metallic, percussive sounds are added one after another, creating a texture that increases in complexity until the section ends in one climactic pop! Schrader returns in the third piece to the slowly evolving textures of the first piece. The middle piece, though has a darker feel to it, because it uses more aggressive, discordant timbres. The fourth piece echoes the percussive feel of the second piece, but uses more drum-like sounds. The final piece again features slowly evolving textures, but also has a sense of foreground and background voices. The last composition on the CD, Triptych, seems to sum up Schrader's approach. It's the longest of the works, with three main sections that run together continuously, lasting about twenty minutes altogether. The piece has an overall slow - fast - slow form. Each section seems to focus primarily on one aspect of music: pitch, rhythm, or timbre. The first section explores slowly evolving timbres, and contrasts lyrical elements with harsher or piercing sounds. The second section is more rhythmic, and uses more traditional percussive sounds, including bell-like pitched sounds and drum tones. It alternates the melodic pitched sounds with driving tribal drum rhythms. The final section explores changing electronic timbres, almost like an electro-acoustic parallel to Ravel's Bolero. Schrader repeats a short musical phrase throughout the piece. With each repetition, the sounds used to voice the phrase change slightly, evolving from percussive tones to long, shifting tones. With Triptych, Schrader starts with minimal material, yet creates a lengthy work that is full of interest, through variations in fundamental elements of music. His use of slowly evolving and changing timbres help give his work a unique voice. With the works on EAM, Schrader balances the impulse to be experimental and original with a need to connect with the emotions and instincts of listeners. The result is music with lyricism, passion, rhythm and drive that makes music the master of technology. EAM is a must-have for electro-acoustic music fans. Tracks: Bachahama Ground Dance from the Outside Still Life 1 Still Life 2 Still Life 3 Still Life 4 Still Life 5 Triptych ”

“We've been listening to the musical creations of Barry Schrader for quite some time now. Schrader composes music for electronics, dance, film, video, mixed media, live/electro-acoustic music combinations, and real-time computer performance...and his music has been presented and performed in many countries around the globe. "The Barnum Museum" features eight lengthy recordings from this critically-acclaimed composer. These pieces could be described as modern classical, ambient, or experimental...but they also sound very much at times like the soundtrack to a bizarre science fiction film. Schrader seems to be driven by the pure desire to create...never letting boundaries get in the way of his boundless creative expression. Plenty of cool sounds here that would make Wendy Carlos proud. Our favorite tracks include "The Romanesque and Gothic Entranceways," "The Subterranean Levels," "The Homunculus In A Jar," and "The Chamber of False Things." This man never lets his fans down. His music is always spellbinding and unique. A wild mental audio ride. Top pick. ”

“"The Romanesque and Gothic Entranceways" begins with the same grandiose style of sonic over load that was typical of the art rock group Emerson Lake & Palmer before dialing the dynamics back to the world of the more subdued modern classical. The shifting of meter and dynamics is seamless and adds great depth and character to this most engaging recording. "The Caged Griffin" is the improvisational equivalent of a cerebral narrative of your own choosing. An intense organic pulse is developing throughout the piece as Schrader is perhaps taking the electronic/ambient stylistic genres into uncharted territory. While the form and functionality of western improvised music is perhaps laying the ground work, Schrader is a visionary for where his electronic impulses may take him on his next conceptualized journey. Much in the same fashion as the better art rock groups of the mid 1970's and early 80's the journey is left to the listener. Barry Schrader is simply the equivalent of a triple A travel agent, he puts the package together but how you spend your time is left totally in your own hands and mind. A fascinating release! ”

“CD Feature/ Barry Schrader: "EAM Symphonic music of the next millenium: Classical allusions and timbral explorations. This collection of compositions from the mid-80s up until the year 2000 sets out to demonstrate the validity of two theories in the oeuvre of Barry Schrader. The first one relates to the very nature of Electro-Acoustic Music (any more questions about the acronym of the album title?) and its in-built connection with technology: According to Schrader, it should be possible to appeciate music created in the Studio situation and by purely electronic means without prior knowledge of the tools used in the process. It may or may not be a conscious wink that the first two works on display here are full of Classical allusions and hark back to a time, when this thesis was in fact still highly disputed.“Bachama”, for one, bases on two famous (surprise, surprise!) Bach-compositions, while “Ground” transposes the Baroque ground bass into densely layered electronics. While the former piece starts off in a quasi-caricatural way with the melodic lines overlapping in frenzied counterpoints, only to later caress the ear with a gently smeared-out and tenderly tentacled version of the “Air”, the latter manages to create a sense of time supsension and unexpected coherence in a piece which explores various facets of a simple, but intricate motive. In the middle, Schrader brings in the heavy artillery, with massive washes of threatening, pulsating clusters superimposing the variations, but their impact is just as immense with or without the details of which synthesizers were used in which way in the process. The use of Classical foms and archetypes makes this even clearer: After all, the question which was on the mind of Handel’s contemporaries was certainly not which instrument was playing which part, but how the composer had solved the challenge of thematic transformation. If the proposition is put to a test at all, then it is more so by the poignant “Dance from the Outside”, as it uses concrete elements from recorded winds alongside purely electronic material – but even here this only matters, because Schrader’s entire recorded history would suggest otherwhise. In a different context (another important aspect to consider), the technical backgrounds to this track would certainly be of minor importance. On then to the second theory, which deals with Schrader’s conviction that timbre can be perceived as a third relevant musical dimension next to pitch and rhythm. The exploration of this idea takes place in “Triptych”, a twenty-minute suite encompassing rondo-form sections as well as a segment focussed on changing timbral focus. It is a hypnotic piece, which has ended up a mixture of textural and melodic passages and comes across the way you would imagine symphonic music to sound like in the next millenium.I’m just not quite sure whether it serves as proof in point when it comes to the initial presumption. Not because I disagree with it in principe, but rather because I’m unsure whether the segment in question works so perfectly because of its timbral modulations or because of its soft and lightfilled qualities contrast so effectively with the harsher nature of what preceeds and succeeds it. On the other hand, thinking about this too much would conflict with the opening suggestion of allowing the music to simply be. “EAM” is a mesmerising, eclectic and potentially addicitve collection of electro-acoustic compositons. Let’s just leave it at that.” - Tobias Fischer

“Hmmm...this is a very unusual album to say the least. Barry Schrader is a decidedly unconventional recording artist seemingly unconcerned with things like commercial appeal and popularity. Monkey King is divided into two segments. The first is entitled "Wu Xing - Cycle of Destruction." This piece explores the five ancient Chinese elements: metal, wood, earth, water, and fire. But don't expect to hear the type of Chinese music you hear in your typical Asian restaurant. This lengthy piece which lasts almost twenty minutes is a modern excursion into the world of atmospheric electronics. It's a strangely odd and hypnotic trip to be certain...and if you turn it up really loud you might just begin to hallucinate. The second segment of this album (entitled "Monkey King") centers around a fictional character in the 1550 book Journey to the West by Wu Cheng-en. Divided into four pieces, this 37 minute creation is a pure work of audio art. "Monkey King" is more musical than the first track...but there are plenty of unexpected surprises in the music. The track is sometimes very restrained and ambient...while at other times bursts of startling sound seem to attack the unsuspecting listener. Wildly inventive and unconventional, this album will appeal to folks who are drawn to truly strange instrumentals. Chock full of imagination and creativity. Highly recommended. (Rating: 5+++) ”

“If the FFT's timbral universe has been sloshing away your will to live, you might like to give SEAMUS founder Barry Schrader's Lost Atlantis a listen [Innova 629, 2004]. This seminal composer of electro-acoustic music has re-released two works from the 1970's that build generous, enthralling trajectories from fantastic palettes of sound coaxed and commanded from an unapologetically analog Buchla 200. Composer/producer Gary Chang mixed and remastered from four-channel masters to produce the stereo versions heard on the CD. Lost Atlantis [the CD] comprises Trinity (1976) and Lost Atlantis (1977). Trinity is a one movement work in rondo-variation form, playing just over fifteen minutes. Called by Schrader a "musical gestalt," its theme is essentially an envelope opening up (i.e., the shape of a hairpin crescendo). [Note: all text within double quotation marks has been drawn from comprehensive liner notes accompanying the CD.] Over a series of five sections, Schrader operates upon this shape via retrograde, nesting and hybridization procedures, and (once) restates it. Clarity of form highlights Schrader's prodigious timbral invention. At the same time, all these slopes provide a basis for the transformations of timbre that especially occupied him during Trinity's composition.  Lost Atlantis [the composition] is a work in six parts based on an account of Atlantis found in Plato's Critias. The parts have titles, such as "The Temple of Poseidon • The Dance of the Gods" and "The Mystery Rites of Purification," tracing the dialogue's progress. The music is correspondingly evocative—but Schrader articulates a concern with relating "interpretations of impressions" rather than painting specific settings. Again, an exquisite control of timbre is foregrounded; and Schrader employs a syntax more varied than Trinity's in the service of a more varied (and less purely abstract) set of ideas. The duration of this work is 39:39.Both works were made with The Electric Music Box [Buchla 200 Analog Modular Synthesizer], developed in 1970, with four additional modules custom built by Fukushi Kawakami of Yamaha, who was in residence at CalArts when the music was composed. Most important of these Fortune Modules (Kawakami's nickname was 'Fortune') was the Control Voltage Matrix Gate, which allowed Schrader "to mix and process up to four control voltage sources, and was an important factor in [his] ability to do real-time timbral transformations." [The composer grants us a fair amount of technical information in the liner notes; the interested reader may look there.]   I find timbre to be the most outrageous and wonderful aspect of the music. [Note: In preparing this review, I listened to the music on very big, warm Klipsch home audio speakers, Mackie HR824s and standard studio headphones [Sony MDR-7506]. The music sounded good (and so it was good) everywhere; but I would strongly recommend listening on headphones at some point.] When you listen to this music, it is very easily 3:00 AM in the studio, and you are in that punch-drunk but exalted state which only comes around there and then, when you have tweaked and tweaked and tweaked, and you just might have done it this time—in other words, the state that is the most soulful payoff for all of us, and justifies our practice more than anything. For practitioners, then, I believe it may be a thrill to think Schrader's thoughts after him. He manifests a mastery not only of his technological environment, but more importantly of the character and flow of musical information pushed to the listener. At the same time, in opposition to the warmth of some of the fattest filters the world has known, I hear a music that spends much of its time at quite some distance—fine, glorious, kinetic and rather heroic objects rotating in space several thousand yards from here (though they are yet massive enough to be examined in detail). Both works are highly formal, teleological and coherent, and for composers of our time both positive and negative connotations might attend those qualities. Linear are their narratives. But perhaps a tension between Schrader's 'relational' composition and the mind-boggling, sine sweat non immediacy of sound is interesting in itself. There are, as well, plenty of moments that would dispute any characterization that the music is awfully Serious—as the third section of Lost Atlantis that spins out a celebratory rhythmic section or, more generally, when the sound is so gorgeous it forces out all other considerations. And anyway [SEAMUS], don't we like abstract, heroic objects rotating in space? Perhaps that is part of what Gary Chang means when he writes that the music is "unapologetically electronic.  One final perspective that occurs to me is that these works, though they have and will likely continue to age very well, sound full of the DNA of a single, virtuosic individual—a Californian in the mid-seventies fresh off muttonchops. Obviously that is very cool. This music is sublime, and it would not be surprising if Barry Schrader hears on this CD today pretty nearly what he intended to put down.” - Ted Coffey

“The Barnum Museum invites you to feel as though you’re being taken on a sonic journey to some unusual spaces filled with unusual creatures. This sense of the strange (what the Russian writer Viktor Shklovsky would have called ostranenie) is achieved by Schrader with subtle means, through his employment of detunings, glissandi, spatial movement, conflicting rhythmic patterns, and the like. Overall, this compact disc provides us with an evocative listening experience. The dimensions and contents of a virtual world are described in sound. It is a tour de force of electroacoustic know-how by a master and pioneer in the field.” - Ross Feller