Chapter 30, EMS Analog Synthesizers
- Thom Holmes
- May 9
- 3 min read
My Podcast: The Holmes Archive of Electronic Music
My blog for the Bob Moog Foundation.
This special edition podcast is produced as a companion to my book, Electronic and Experimental Music, published by Routledge. This episode corresponds to a chapter in the text. It provides listening examples of vintage electronic works and composers featured in the text.
The works themselves can be enjoyed without the book and I hope that they stand as a chronological survey of important works in the history of electronic music. Be sure to tune-in to other episodes of the podcast where we explore a wide range of electronic music in many styles and genres, all drawn from my archive of vintage recordings.
The episode I just uploaded corresponds to Chapter 30, EMS Analog Synthesizers from my book, Electronic and Experimental Music. Please connect to the podcast at The Holmes Archive of Electronic Music. Enjoy!
Playlist: MUSIC MADE WITH EMS ANALOG SYNTHESIZERS
Time | Track Time | Start |
Introduction –Thom Holmes | 01:34 | 00:00 |
1. Delia Derbyshire, “Dance From ‘Noah’ " (1970). Composed for a television program. Used the EMS VCS3. | 00:55 | 01:44 |
2. Selections from the demonstration disc, EMS Synthi And The Composer (1971). Excerpts from Harrison Birtwistle, “Medusa,” Peter Zinovieff, “January Tensions,” and Tristram Cary, “Continuum.” | 06:15 | 02:34 |
3. Peter Zinovieff and Harrison Birtwistle, “Chronometer” (1971–2). Featured both the EMS Synthi VCS3 and modified sound recordings of the ticking of Big Ben and the chimes of Wells Cathedral clock. | 24:23 | 08:48 |
4. Mike Hankinson, “Toccata And Fugue In D Minor” (Bach) (1972) from The Classical Synthesizer. South African record realized using the Putney (EMS) VCS3. | 07:04 | 33:06 |
5. Electrophon, “Arrival of the Queen of Sheba” (1973) from In a Covent Garden (1973). Electrophon Music was described as the studio where the electronics were recorded and produced in the UK by Radiophonic musicians Brian Hodgson, Dudley Simpson. A variety of synthesizers were used including the obscure EMS Synthi Range, a multi-effect instrument. | 03:04 | 40:10 |
6. The Eden Electronic Ensemble, “Elite Syncopations” (Joplin) (1974) from The Eden Electronic Ensemble Plays Joplin. Realized using the EMS VCS3 and Minimoog synthesizers. | 04:53 | 43:12 |
7. Peter Zinovieff, “A Lollipop For Papa” (1974). Realized with the EMS Synthi AKS. | 06:26 | 48:04 |
8. Peter Zinovieff and Hans Werner Henze, “Tristan” (Long Section) (1975). Tape accompaniment realized with the EMS Synthi AKS. | 07:40 | 54:40 |
9. J.D. Robb, “Poem of Summer” (1976) from Rhythmania And Other Electronic Musical Compositions. Realized using the EMS Synthi AKS. | 02:04 | 01:02:18 |
10. J.D. Robb, “Synthi Waltz” (1976) from Rhythmania And Other Electronic Musical Compositions. Realized using the EMS Synthi AKS and Synthi Sequencer 256 (digital sequencer). | 01:52 | 01:04:24 |
11. Bruno Spoerri, “Hymn Of Taurus (Taurus Is Calling You!)” (1978) from Voice Of Taurus. Realized using a host of equipment, including a few EMS instruments: EMS Synthi 100, EMS VCS3, EMS AKS, EMS Vocoder 2000, Alto Saxophone with EMS Pitch-to-voltage Converter & Random Generator, plus the Lyricon, Prophet-5 Polyphonic Synthesizer, ARP Omni & Odyssey, Minimoog, Moog Taurus Bass Pedal, RMI Keyboard Computer, Ondes Martenot , Vako Polyphonic Orchestron, Bode Frequency Shifter, AMS Tape Phase Simulator, Echoplex, Roland Echo, Roland Rhythm Box, Bruno Spoerri. | 02:48 | 01:06:16 |
12. Henry Sweitzer, “Open Windows” (1979) from Te Deum. Realized with the EMS Synthi AKS. | 11:11 | 01:09:02 |
13. Eduard Artemyev, Yuri Bogdanov, Vladimir Martynov, “Le Vent Dans La Plaine,” “Io Mi Son Giovinetta,” and “Why Ask You?” (1980) from Metamorphoses. Composed and realized using the EMS Synthi 100, a large synthesizer unit combining several EMS3 models and connecting circuitry. | 08:38 | 01:20:14 |
14. Jean-Michel Jarre, “Les Chants Magnétiques,” (side 1) (1981) from Les Chants Magnétiques. Portions realized with the EMS Synthi AKS, EMS Synthi VCS3, and EMS Vocoder 1000. | 17:58 | 01:28:52 |
15. Alessandro Cortini and Merzbow, “AAMC” (2017) from Alessandro Cortini And Merzbow. Recent recording with all sounds realized using a vintage EMS Synthi AKS. | 04:49 | 01:46:40 |
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