Switched - on Bach 2000

Seminal work by Wendy Carlos. I'm delighted to have found this.

The original Switched-On Bach (S-OB) was a groundbreaking landmark in electronic music. With so much "made for electronics" music of the time failing to make a connection with the general public - if anything alienating it - Wendy Carlos revolutionised and popularised electronic music by applying it to more accessible pieces from composers such as Bach and Beethoven. She wasn't trying reproducing existing instruments in orchestral and choral pieces as many people do with electronics today. She was treating the Moog synthesiser on the original recording as an instrument in its own right, as one might interpret a piano piece for orchestra.S-OB 2000 is a reworking of the original S-OB using more recent electronics (as of 1992 when this was recorded) based around a Macintosh IIfx. Some purists may balk at this not being simply a clean-up of the original recording but, as Wendy explains in her excellent accompanying sleeve notes, the more recent technology allowed her to achieve greatly improved results including varying the tempo and "temper" of the electronic instruments to match Bach's original expectations.This is no poorly-executed quick dash-off of an updated version. Despite the improved technology it actually took much longer to record simply because there were many more parameters that could be tweaked to deliver a more authentic level, rhythm and pitch. It is a worthy addition to any existing collection of Wendy Carlos music or an excellent introduction to Bach played unashamedly and exuberantly using electronics.

After so many years without the electronic realisations of Bach and other classical composers I am building up my collection of works by Wendy (Walter) Carlos. Really enjoyed the experience once again, fitting my headphones on and lying back in bliss. A long blurb by Wendy explaining the history of the work and how it is now possible to play it as she had always wanted to.

Having loved my original vinyl copy, now sold, I looked forward to this new edition. Having old, cloth ears, I ignored the purists who complained of "lack of warmth" in this new one, however, even to my ears this is a disappointment. It's still well worth a purchase but don't expect the same thrill you got from the old Moog job.

Wonderful interpretation of some of the greatest music, with every line clearly audible but the whole blending magically.

Splendid music performed splendidly.

Excellent new realisation of a classic. Took me back tr5o my student days in the seventies.

Good, but not a patch on the original, it lacks the vibrant immediacy of a new format and the synthesiser. Whereas the original set your pulse racing this remake wallows and sounds too turgid, sometimes like a fairground organ fiasco. All the bite has gone and been replaced by a toothless ghost of spirits past. Tragic!

Just buy it. You will not be disappointed. Fantastic recording. Make sure your system can handle the transients.

Bach è Bach! Lo puoi suonare anche con un piffero e un tamburello.Però la versione con il sintetizzatore è una bella curiosità che vale la pena ascoltare.

This is Bach, as you have never heard him before.The previous reviewer, I believe, was quite mistaken and didn't understand what this CD represented. This is NOT simply a re-do of the original "Switched on Bach".Rather, this is a completely new, mature interpretation. The most important thing to understand is that the pieces are performed in Bach's original scales and temperaments.This is NOT, in other words, performed in "equal temperament"-- what does that mean? Equal Temperament is "the ubiquitous 12-note" scale that we have become used to in Western music. This was not standardized in Bach's time. Wendy Carlos has (using scholarship which she does not discuss in the notes) used Bach's tunings.This results in seriously fantastic versions of familiar pieces. If you want to expand your understanding of the pieces or just hear them in a way you have never heard them before, this CD is for you. It is hauntingly beautiful.I find it very unfortunate that virtually all of the remastered, enhanced sound CDs produced by Wendy Carlos only, in some cases a few years ago are all out of print. This is a huge loss to music.A final note: be sure you get the newer, remastered "enhanced sound" version of this CD (and all of her work when possible) not the older CDs.

富田勲氏のと比べ。他に言うこと無し。

I remember when this was a brand new sound effect which played a well established composer like Bach in a new manner over the radio. It was immensely popular and copied by other artists.This CD is well made and has some powerful sounds. My favorites are the Brandenburg Concerto, Wachet Auf and especially the Toccata and Fugue in D minor. That last piece is really powerful.There is an excellent website that is maintained by Wendy Carlos with a lot of information about the creation of this moog music.