Digital Moonscapes [ENHANCED] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REISSUED]

Wendy Carlos (Composer, Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Wendy Carlos
• Composer: Wendy Carlos
• Audio CD (November 4, 2003)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced, Original recording reissued
• Label: East Side Digital
• ASIN: B0000516UX
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #110,824 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Classical > Instruments > Electronic > Computer

Track Listings

1. Genesis

2. Eden

3. I.C. (Intergalactic Communications)

4. Luna

5. Phobos and Deimos

6. Ganymede

7. Europa

8. Io

9. Callisto

10. Rhea

11. Titan

12. Iapetus

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Digital Moonscapes was originally released in 1984. Reissued in tandem with Beauty in the Beast, these two albums present the extremes of Wendy Carlos. Beauty in the Beast is a work of rare originality and synthesis, both electronically and through its musicology. Fourteen years after its release, Beauty still sounds sonically rich and musically daring. Digital Moonscapes, however, sounded clumsy and contrived 16 years ago and little has changed. Carlos replicates an orchestra with her LSI Philharmonic (Large Scale Integration), but it sounds like a Tinkertoy with thin, whining timbres that wouldn't fool anyone as to their electronic origins. Yet, neither would the sounds of Switched-on Bach, but while SOB has attained a quaint charm, Digital Moonscapes just sounds dated. The LSI Philharmonic consistently sabotages her compositions, which are by turns portentous and playful, although sometimes just corny. Pieces like "I.C." beg for a sonic terrain of their own, but Carlos only provides an approximation. --John Diliberto

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Regarding the orchestral replicas in Digital Moonscapes, August 21, 2002

By	Richard Decosta "Composer, Producer, Recordin... (Scarborough, ME USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Reviewer John Diliberto has not done justice to this album by his review. I believe he has missed the point of the LSI Philharmonic. Yes, the sounds were intended to replicate orchestral sounds, but only insofar as they are sonic replications in their particular orchestral sound class. What Carlos ended up with is not precise, ear-fooling instrument replicas, but rather, a large ensemble of orchestral instruments that occupy the same sonic families as their acoustic counterparts. The horn sounds, for instance, are more abrupt than acoustic horns, slightly off color, and to those expecting actual horns can come across as being slightly like horn caricatures, but they fit precisely into the spot in the LSI that acoustic horns do in a traditional orchestra. It's this placing of sounds in their acoustic family that makes the individual sounds of the LSI work so beautifully together.

I have always thought the orchestral sounds used in this album have complimented the compositions (which are excellent), not sabotaged. Yes, I would love to hear a live, orchestral performance of these works, but for me, the LSI is as real an "orchestra" as any other.

To summarize, when you listen to this CD, don't try to hear exact orchestral replicas. Instead, think of it as an impressionist orchestral painting, not an orchestral photograph. I admit that my affection for the album is slightly tainted by a love "vintage anything audio", but try to keep these things I have said in mind when you listen to this music.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great, August 10, 2006

By	M. Creese (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I don't agree with the Amazon reviewer on this recording. Although Beauty and the Beast is a great recording, it is very esoteric, and you must allow it in gradually.

Digital Moonscapes, and the Genesis recordings on this disc on the other hand are approachable and very deep and moving. Some sections almost bring tears to my eyes.

I think Wendy Carlos did a wonderful job on this recording.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Carlos Essentials, March 26, 2008

By	Static Shots "merely an opinion" (FL) - See all my reviews

Digital Moonscapes has disappeared from my collection more than once.

Each time, i've replaced it.

Originally, I was introduced to Carlos through her work included in a couple of Stanley Kubrick films (The Shining, A Clockwork Orange). Digital Moonscapes is unlike any of this film work, preferring to sail on an esoteric plain best suited for a planetarium, but equally enchanting on a home system. The playful compositions do sound a little "new-agey" or even dated (as an earlier reviewer stated) in their tonality but this release is more enjoyable then some of her more praised works.

I find this to be a relaxing, optimistic record full of wonder. I do prefer the original artwork, though. I also recommend Sonic Seasonings, A Slightly more challenging listen, but much more fulfilling.



Also check out, Sonic Seasonings