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File under: Electronic

Gottfried Michael Koenig

Gottfried Michael Koenig

Label: Edition RZ

Format: 2CD

Genre: Compositional

In stock

€22.00
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Restocked, reduced price: beautifully prepared overview of Gottfried Michael Koenig's work (including early 60s WDR electronic classics), produced in conjunction by the Instituut of Sonologie and NEAR/Donemus w/ Edition RZ. During the early '60s, Koenig began writing a program -- named simply 'Project 1,' or PR1 -- designed to compose and generate music via the computer; when in 1964 he accepted the position of creative director with the Institute for Sonology in Utrecht, Holland, he took the software with him, putting on the finishing touches three years later. While at Utrecht, Koenig also began experimenting with the Variable Function Generator, a machine developed by physics student Stan Tempelaars, able to generate sound using roughly the same technology as an analog sequencer.

Hitting upon the idea of treating the VFG as an oscillator, between 1967 and 1969, Koenig used the machine to compose a series of groundbreaking pieces known collectively as the 'Funktionen.' In 1968, Koenig also began work on a second program, PR2; its complicated design made it difficult to use, however, and so PR1 remained his primary outlet for computerized composition. He continued tinkering with PR1 for years to follow, in 1978 introducing VOSIM oscillators to the project to create an extended program christened 'PRIX'; a series of subsequent additions resulted in another upgrade, 'PRIXM,' and the completion of 1979's 'Output.' When the Institute of Sonology was relocated to the Hague in 1986, Koenig retired from his post to focus full-time on computerized composition as well as developing new musical programs

 

Gottfried Michael Koenig

Details
File under: Electronic
Cat. number: Ed. RZ 2003-4
Year: 2005
Notes:

Tracks 1-1 and 1-2 recorded in Köln at WDR, Saal 2, 01.09.1995
Track 1-3 recorded at Studio für Elektronische Musik des WDR, 1961
Track 1-4 recorded in Köln at WDR, Saal 1, 08.03.1961
Track 1-5 and 1-6 recorded at Institut für Sonologie in Utrecht, 1967
Track 1-7 recorded at Institut für Sonologie in Utrecht, 1968
Tracks 2-1 to 2-60 recorded in Köln at WDR, Saal 2, 07.-08.09.1996

A note about disc 2: In this recording, the pages are played in ascending order, thus from 1 to 60. Any sequence of them is legal due to the lack of an overall form. The listener is advised to use the Random or Program function of his CD-player in order to enjoy different, random-determined or planned versions of any length.

This CD is released on the occasion of Gottfried Michael Koenig's 80th birthday. The release would not be possible without the financial support of the Institute of Sonology / Royal Conservatory The Hague, The Société Gavigniès The Hague, Netherlands Culture Fund, NEAR / Donemus Amsterdam, Gaudeaumus Amsterdam.

CD 1 1-4, CD 2 1-60 Ⓟ Produktionen des Westdeutschen Rundfunks Köln, 1961-1996

CD 1 5-7 Ⓟ Produktionen des Instituts für Sonologie, 1967-1968

Packaged in a gatefold sleeve.
Includes 12-page booklet with notes in German and English.