Switched-On Bach was revolutionary when it was released in 1968. It brought the original Moog synthesizer to the masses. It also has a swell cover with a hint that Walter Carlos would eventually become Wendy: Trans-Electronic Music Productions Inc.
Here’s some Carlosian lagniappe:
I was ten when I first heard this, and probably wore out the tracks with the Brandenburg Concerto. This collection sparked a life long love of Bach that continues today with my piano study (currently learning BWV 874, the eighth of the preludes and fugues I’ve learned so far). Thanks for this trip down memory lane.
I read that Wendy had to program the Moog one note at a time, so I reckon she had more than a little patience and discipline.
Not one note at a time, rather one “line” at a time. Only one “voice” was possible at any time, meaning chords were possible only through the tech of multi-tacking, which was (compared to today’s standards) nascent. One note at a time would be mind crushingly difficult and not just “damn near miraculous” as it was at the time.
Wendy’s gift was an unwavering sense of line and rhythmic security. I just love the stuff!!
Hey thanks for this information, it has been years since I heard about the work that went into this music.