NeoKitsch

Introducing the new album by NeoKitsch – “Klaatu’s Theremin”

Sep 302009

NeoKitsch is very proud to release yet another Sci-Fi fusion album entitled “Klaatu’s Theremin”.

This album was produced after the studio decided to invest in a collection of vintage, hard to find synthesizers such as the Roland TB-303 Bass Line Synth, Moog Rogue Analogue Synth, Yamaha CS10 Analogue Synth, Moog Etherwave Theremin and the Roland TR 707 Drum Machine. It came about after having produced an enormous amount of music for film and television using computer software and modern electronic and acoustic instruments. These methods of producing music, although successful in their own way, created a strong yearning for NeoKitsch to move in the opposite direction, and seek out vintage Analogue sounds of the 70′s and 80′s. Some modern machines such as the Elektron Monomachine were used, although arguably, the Elektron machines are very vintage sounding. They model their sounds on synths of the past and use the SID chip in the Sidstation. The SID Chip was one of the first sound chips to be used in a home computer and was used in devises such as the classic Commodore 64.

Many contemporary artists who create electronic music enjoy a modern approach to the old analogue synths of previous decades. Musicians and groups such as Autechre and Aphex Twin had inspired so many musicians to search far and wide for those unmistakable, unique vintage sounds, and create something new.

The name of the album, “Klaatu’s Theremin”, is based on the alien who visits earth from the classic 1951 film, The Day The Earth Stood Still. The original movie had a breathtaking musical score composed by Bernard Herrmann. Although it may be considered to be slightly dated for today’s standards and is often a victim of spoof, the score, which featured the Theremin, inspired NeoKitsch to produce a modern album with echoes of the 50′s Sci-Fi ‘Red Scare’ era.

NeoKitsch had experienced some new challenges with the new set of equipment, as the use of Midi technology was no longer possible with some instruments which predated the existence of Midi. This had allowed the music to take a more spontaneous and improvised approach. The result can be heard in a few extracts of the album in the media player below.

You can download the album or purchase individual tracks from iTunes, Amazon mp3, Napster, Rhapsody, emusic, and other leading stores. There is a link at the bottom of the post to direct you to iTunes.

Music for violin and piano – Karol Szymanowski and the three Paganini Caprices

Music 5 Responses »

Sep 272009

NeoKitsch is very proud to have re-released the world premier recordings of the complete works for violin and piano by Karol Szymanowski with musicians Detlef Hahn (Violin) and Mark Fielding (Piano).

Among the pieces on the album are the three very popular arrangements of the Paganini Caprices. An extract of Szymanowski’s arrangement of Paganini’s 24th Caprice can be heard below.

You can listen to the entire piece and purchase tracks or the complete album from the link at the bottom of the post.

DETLEF HAHN

Detlef Hahn made his London debut at the Wigmore Hall in 1981.The press praised his playing with such attributes as …”irresistibly chic..”..with a keen sense of fantasy..” …Stylish and telling..” ..technical expertise and fine musicianship…”He has since given concerts worldwide, broadcast for German, Austrian, Swiss and Australian radio, as well as for Swiss, German and Hong Kong television. His CD recordings, amongst them the complete music for violin and piano by Szymanowsky as well as the complete music for violin and piano by Korngold were highly acclaimed by the critics.

‘an indispensable disc…superb performances throughout. (Gramophone) ‘performances are magnificent, put this CD at the top of your ‘wants’ list. (International Record Review)

‘performed with considerable power’ (BBC Music Magazine) ‘spontaneous performance…played expressively’ (The Daily Telegraph CD Choice) ‘plays with conviction and warmth of tone’ (Fanfare)

TEACHING

Detlef Hahn enjoys a world-wide reputation as a teacher, which has led to invitations to give Masterclasses and recitals, ranging from Europe to the Far East and Australia. He is Professor and Honorary Fellow at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and holds a professorship at the Oslo State Academy and the Hochschule der Kuenste in Bern. He draws some of the finest talents from all over the world to study with him at these renowned institutions, many of them going on to become prize winners and finalists in international competitions. Detlef Hahn’s individual style of teaching, incorporating an unusual combination of musical and physical elements, is regarded by many musicians as unique in violin teaching. Inspired by his dynamic approach, many of his students are highly regarded within the musical world, be it as soloists, chamber players, teachers or orchestra musicians.

Monome 40h – Church bells and a prawn and blueberry salad

Food and Music, Videos 1 Response »

Sep 262009

This video uses the monome 40h and it is creating the overtones of a church bell. The monome is an interesting midi controller which enables you to program it to trigger data in many different ways to suit your performance style. It has helped composers look at arrangement of music and sounds in new and interesting methods. It is using an application called Boiingg on max msp. The Omnichord OM300 is being used to controll the Roland JV 1080. There is also a moogerfooger low pass filter being used.
The salad is composed of prawns, croutons, blueberries, olives and mixed salad leaves.