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AMAZING SOUNDS
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No. 78
June 20, 1999
====================
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CONTENTS:

NEWS

THE ELECTRONIC MUSIC IN EASTERN EUROPE Chapter 4 (HUNGARY). This
mini-series is a brief approach to the electronic music and
innovative / alternative styles in Eastern Europe.

REVIEWS:
CONRAD PRAETZEL: "RECEIVE" Paleo Music
TERRY OLDFIELD: "ALL THE RIVER'S GOLD" New World Music
ERIK WOLLO: "GUITAR NOVA" Monumental Records
ERIK WOLLO: "WHERE IT ALL BEGINS" Monumental Records
Sampler: "TOUCHING BEAUTY" Real Music
WENDY STARK: "CHILD OF TRANSFERENCE" New World Music
CODE INDIGO: "UFORIA" AD Music

====================

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NEWS

NEW RELEASES / RE-RELEASES / DISTRIBUTIONS
(For more information and sound clips, use the links)

Michael Hedges: "Torched"

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000HZOK/thesciencebookboA/

Various artists: "Celtic Voices"

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000GV5B/thesciencebookboA/

John Tesh: "One World"

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000HZPS/thesciencebookboA/

Various artists: "Weaving the Strands"

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000DI3J/thesciencebookboA/

The new studio album by Jean-Michel Jarre (Metamorphoses) will be
released in February 2000.

On September 11, the Paul Winter Consort will give a live
performance at Mars Hill College (Mars Hill, NC 28754, USA.)
(8.00pm).

Seventh New Musics Festival of Girona and Camallera (Catalunya,
Spain)
---July 31: Barbara Held (flutes and electronics), Kathleen
Kernell (guitar), Carles Hac Mor and Ester Xargay (poets) and
Adolf Alcaniz (video). Place: Nave Coclea (Camallera)
---August 1: Electroacoustic Music session. Works by: Darren
Copeland (Canada), Hildegard Westerkamp (Germany), Richard Lerman
(USA), Bruce Odland & Sam Auinger (USA), Carole Rieussec & J.C.
Camps , Annea Lockwood (Switzerland) Chris Watson (UK) Roberto
Paci (Italy) , Ramuntxo Matta & Samon Takahashi (Chile), Alison
Knowles (USA), Eric La Casa (France), Claude Schryer (Canada),
Douglas Quin, Chester Schultz (Australia), David Dunn (USA).

====================

THE ELECTRONIC MUSIC IN EASTERN EUROPE
By: JORGE MUNNSHE
Chapter 4

It is impossible to attempt to compress the musical universe
enclosed behind the iron curtain by decades in a single mini-
series. A basic approach to the reality of the musical avantgarde
in each one of the multiple, rich cultures of this great unknown
which is Eastern Europe, nowadays in full development, would need
the making of a book. Therefore, this mini-series will only be a
brief vision, perforce incomplete, of this avantgarde style
sustained on cultures maybe as ancient or even more so than those
in the rest of Europe.

HUNGARY
This is a very different country from other nations in Eastern
Europe from a cultural point of view. Fantastic literature has
enormous editorial success. The native cinema of science fiction
and terror presents a high amount of titles. There are plenty of
electronic soundtracks of a cosmic orientation, as for instance
that of the television series "The Millenium Bee", composed by
Peter Hapka, one of the many Hungarian synthesists currently
functioning.
Of course, György Ligeti is the first name that comes to our
minds with respect to Hungarian avantgarde music. Yet, other less
known ones are very interesting as well, as for instance the
electronic pioneers Laszlo Hortobaggi, Miklos Maros, Akos Rozmann,
and Tamas Ungvary, who have been making their music since the
early 1970s. I was able to contact this latter one in Sweden,
where he has settled since a few years ago. Actually, the
Scandinavian countries were the ones receiving more immigrants
from Eastern Europe. No wonder, one of the main supporters of the
Festival of the Arts in Iceland is the Russian pianist Vladimir
Ashkenazy. Some of these exiled musicians are coming back to their
countries of origin, whereas others have already grown new roots
in the nations that accepted them.
Tamas Ungvary settled in Sweden in the late 1960s, leaving his
post as a musician for the Hungarian State Symphonic Orchestra. In
Sweden he combined the composition of avantgarde music with his
work at the Institute of Electroacoustic Music of Sweden, as well
as his activity designing musical software. He has obtained
several mentions and awards, has composed movie soundtracks, and
has published numerous articles about his research on new forms of
musical expression.
Akos Rozmann is an organist, and this can be seen in the music
he composes, very much centered in floating, ethereal, mystic
textures. He left Hungary in 1971, and settled in Sweden, where he
has combined his work as a composer with his activity as an
organist of the Catholic Cathedral of Stockholm, like the ancient
classical composers.
Miklos Maros is another electroacoustic musician settled in
Sweden, who has combined his artistic activity with his task as a
professor at the Institute of Electroacoustic Music in Sweden.
The ensemble "Group 180" is devoted to performing, even at an
international level, compositions by Steve Reich, among pieces by
contemporary Hungarian authors.
Tibor Szemzo is a veteran synthesist, whose compositions have
reached a wide range, from Jazz to the purest cosmic music.
Istvan Marta makes minimalist music, that reminds the listener
of Philip Glass, with folkloric Hungarian and Transylvanian
touches.
Amadinda are a percussive ensemble, with several released
albums.
Istvan Szigeti is some sort of Hungarian version of Klaus
Schulze.
Omega was a symphonic Rock band that functioned from 1969 to
1980. As it dissolved, some of its members have continued with
their solo works. Ex-keyboardist Laszlo Benko has released several
albums of electronic music.
Koral is an Omega-style band, yet it appeared later, whose
keyboardist, Ferenc Balazs, has also released a solo album of
electronic music.
Also remarkable is the task carried out by Robert Erdesz,
Matyas Varkonyi, Tibor Kocsak, Gabor Presser, Robert Mandel and
Steve Osso.
Nowadays an unprecedented amount of new electronic musicians
are cropping up in Hungary, among which mention should be made of
Zoltan Pongrasz, Peter Eotvos, Laszlo Dubrovay, or Mate Victor.
I understood very well what a politically prosecuted,
stateless artist is when I contacted the guitarist, composer and
painter Peter Katona in Germany. His trajectory no doubt is the
same followed by many artists. He told me he had left Hungary
because of strictly political reasons. Very influenced by the
concept of World Music, Katona played in Rock, Jazz, and all sorts
of bands during the 1970s. During the period 1979-82, he
discovered the ethnic musics from Bulgaria, Afghanistan, and
India, which fascinated him and impressed him deeply. From 1982
on, he combined the teaching of music at the Music School of
Budapest, with his activity in different bands. In 1985 he
purchased his first musical computers. The following year he had
to flee from Hungary, and settled in Germany. He told me that due
to different legal circumstances, German legislation forbade him
to teach for the first five years he was living there, so he had
to find a job as a musician. He was not allowed to carry out other
activities. In 1991 I lost contact with him all of a sudden. My
letters were returned with the indication that he does not live
there now. I ignore whether he came back to Hungary or if he
continues to live in Germany. I will be grateful for any recent
information on this musician forwarded to me. (My personal email
is: jmunnshe@...)

====================
CDs by AT-MOOSS AVAILABLE IN AMAZING SOUNDS MAILORDER SERVICE
"MORPHING SYNTHESIZERS 1" $15.56 or 13.13 euros or 2100 pesetas
"MORPHING SYNTHESIZERS 2" $15.56 or 13.13 euros or 2100 pesetas
"MORPHING SYNTHESIZERS 3" $15.56 or 13.13 euros or 2100 pesetas
The band At-Mooss is formed by Joseph Loibant, Anthony Seagarr,
John Lakveet and Dom F. Scab. Loibant is the most veteran musician
in the band. He began to research the sonic possibilities of
synthesizers in the 1970s. He was a member of the band Programa
together with Carlos Guirao (ex-member of Neuronium).
Read our article-interview about At-Mooss:

http://www.amazings.com/articles/article0058.html

OTHER AVAILABLE RELEASES:

JOSEPH LOIBANT:
SINE $16.30 or 13.75 euros or 2200 pesetas.

PLASTHA´S MOUNTAGE:
PROTOPLASTHA´S $15.55 or 13.13 euros or 2100 pesetas.

IURY LECH:
A BITE IN THE COMMON SENSE $15.55 or 13.13 euros or 2100 pesetas.
SERIAL CASTRATI $15.55 or 13.13 euros or 2100 pesetas.
ASPERSIONS BY INSTINCT (2CD) $19.25 or 16.25 euros or 2600
pesetas.

DOM F. SCAB:
INNERSEED $15.55 or 13.13 euros or 2100 pesetas.

ALBERT GIMENEZ:
MOSDUM $15.55 or 13.13 euros or 2100 pesetas.
ZIV $15.55 or 13.13 euros or 2100 pesetas.

LUIS ALBERTO NARANJO:
HUMAN FEELINGS (CDR) $12.96 or 10.93 euros or 1750 pesetas.
BLUE LIFE (CDR) $12.96 or 10.93 euros or 1750 pesetas.

ORDERS:
sales@...

EUROPE:
Postage Costs:
1 CD: 4.75 euros or $5.63 or 760 pesetas
2 or 3 CDs: 6.97 euros or $8.26 or 1115 pesetas
4 or 5 or 6 CDs: 10.09 euros or $11.96 or 1615 pesetas
3 weeks for delivery

AMERICA:
Postage Costs:
1 CD: $7.93 or 6.69 euros or 1070 pesetas
2 or 3 CDs: $12.37 or 10.44 euros or 1670 pesetas
4 or 5 or 6 CDs: $22.22 or 18.75 euros or 3000 pesetas
4 weeks for delivery

Orders are shipped upon Receipt of Payment. Orders are shipped
as recommended letters to make the shipping as secure as possible.
For orders under $50.00, we prefer you to send the money on
cash in letter (because of the fact that the bank charges in our
country are quite high). However, if you prefer to send us a
check, you may do it (adding $10.00 for bank charges).
If you send us a check in our currency (pesetas or euros), you
don't need to pay us that extra charge. Pay 135 pesetas in place
of every dollar, or 0.84 euros in place of every dollar.
For payments in other currency, ask for an estimate.
Make check payable to Mr. Jorge Munje.
The postal address is:
Jorge Munje
Amazing Sounds (C/O Manuel Montes)
P.O. Box 764
08220 Tarrasa, Barcelona
SPAIN
====================

REVIEWS:

CONRAD PRAETZEL:
"RECEIVE"
Paleo Music
The music by Conrad Praetzel is a fresh fusion of World Music with
alternative Pop. There also are elements of rock, sometimes
reflected in the electric guitar. Likewise, certain traits of
Ambient can be detected in some moments. The composer drinks from
classical sources, yet also from the avantgarde. Though there are
slow parts, much of the music has a lively rhythm. The music is
merry, bright, yet it never becomes too sugary or noisy. For the
occasion, Praetzel has been accompanied by the following
musicians: Sukhawat Ali Khan (vocals), Robert Powell (guitars,
electric sitar), Solomon Feldthouse (ney flute), Sachiko Kanenobu
(vocals).
MARCELLA CIRIGNOLA

If you wish to purchase any recordings by this artist you only
have to use this link:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ts/artist-glance/64893/thesciencebookboA/

TERRY OLDFIELD:
"ALL THE RIVER'S GOLD"
New World Music
Harps, violins, pipes, flutes and harmonic vocals shape with their
union a true passport towards the green, epic Irish landscapes. 52
minutes distributed into seven compositions, to dream of wondrous
melodies in their simplicity, together with heavenly songs, by
Katherine Heinrich and Imogen Mooreidad.
LAURA S. GARCIA

If you wish to purchase this recording you only have to use this
link:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JJSJ/thesciencebookboA/

TERRY OLDFIELD
Terry Oldfield, Mike's and Sally's brother, composes and plays the
flute since the early seventies. A great part of his work has
consisted in making movie soundtracks for television, some of
which have received awards and nominations, among them of the Emmy
Awards. He has also recorded several albums.
Essential recordings:
-CASCADE
-IN THE PRESENCE OF LIGHT
-REVERENCE
-RESONANCE
-ANGEL
-SPIRIT OF THE RAINFOREST
-ILLUMINATION
-ZEN
-SPIRIT OF AFRICA
-SPIRIT OF TIBET
-OUT OF THE DEPTHS
-AUSTRALIA, TWILIGHT OF THE DREAMTIME
-STAR OF HEAVEN (& Sally Oldfield)
-ICON
-EARTH SPIRIT
-SPIRIT OF INDIA
-ALL THE RIVER'S GOLD
If you wish to purchase any recordings by this artist you only
have to use this link:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ts/artist-glance/33580/thesciencebookboA/

or this one:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ts/artist-glance/119979/thesciencebookboA/

You can find more information about New World label here:

http://www.newworldmusic.com

ERIK WOLLO:
"GUITAR NOVA"
Monumental Records
Erik Wollo has composed a fine work that can be labelled within
the New Instrumental Music for guitar. The 14 compositions
included in this album by him have a symphonic melodic character,
with romantic parts and other mysterious ones. There also appear
classical and Ambient elements. The music is not static, but it
flows at a medium speed. The rhythmic structure is based on the
guitar and harbors the melody within itself. The music is pleasant
to listen to and will no doubt appeal to those who enjoy the
guitar as a soloist instrument. In my opinion, "Source" is the
most imaginative theme.
PASCUAL JURADO

ERIK WOLLO:
"WHERE IT ALL BEGINS"
Monumental Records
This reissue of an album originally released in 1983 not only
offers the improvement of a digital CD (remastered in 1999) versus
vinyl. It also presents a difference with respect to the old
version: It includes some extra tracks from "Dreams of Pyramids"
(a LP released in 1984). The composer is in charge of guitars,
whereas several musicians accompany him with other instruments:
Oystein Sevag (keyboards), Brynjar Hoff (oboe), Inge Norum
(percussion), Rob Waring (vibraphone), Jan Erik Salater (bass on
"Step Into"). The expressivity that Wollo achieves with his
acoustic and electric guitars is remarkable indeed. From his hand,
the guitar appears at the same heights as any other orchestra
instruments among those which are best appreciated in the role of
soloists, like for instance the piano.
PASCUAL JURADO

ERIK WOLLO
Norwegian musician Erik Wollo started his career in 1980 as a
guitarist in the jazz band Celeste. His first solo album appeared
in 1983. It didn't take him long to evolve towards a more personal
style based in the use of electronic instruments. In the mid
eighties he became internationally known. He has composed music
for the radio, television and theatre. He has also produced other
artists.
Essential recordings:
-WHERE IT ALL BEGINS
-DREAMS OF PYRAMIDS
-TRACES
-SILVER BEACH
-IMAGES OF LIGHT
-SOLSTICE
-TRANSIT
-GUITAR NOVA
-WHERE IT ALL BEGINS (SPECIAL CD EDITION)

Sampler:
"TOUCHING BEAUTY"
Real Music
This is a sampler that gathers pieces from albums by different
artists, besides three previously unreleased themes. The
selection, like its title suggests, has been done by selecting
soft, romantic themes. Anyway, this does not mean that this is a
kind of music created with a view to relaxing. Actually, this is a
collection of New Instrumental Music melodic, with such different
styles as those of their authors are. This is the contents:
"Little Moritz" by Bernward Koch, "Song for Sarah" by Michael
Hoppe (previously unreleased), "Through the Arbor" by Kevin Kern,
"Secret Dreams 1" by Michel Rubini, "Kuan Yin" by Troika, "Morfa
Bychan" by Huw Warren (previously unreleased), "K'UN (Earth)" by
Frank Steiner, "Summer of 300 years" by 2002, "Before Night Falls"
by Bernard L'hoir, "Long Way" by Bernward Koch, "Unspoken Words"
by Hiko (previously unreleased), "Seventh Ray" by Tim Wheater,
"White Shadow" by Back to Earth.
SARAH TOMBLIN

If you wish to purchase this recording you only have to use this
link:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000IN4B/thesciencebookboA/

WENDY STARK:
"CHILD OF TRANSFERENCE"
New World Music
Wendy Stark is a brilliant composer, guitarist and singer born in
South Wales. Her debut album on New World is this "Child of
Transference". If to Wendy's beautiful voice we join a handful of
sweet melodies, crystaline atmospheres near to Ambient, we will
get as a result a perfect introductory album that can be the
launching pad for this artist, who has been compared to such
important people as Enigma and Enya. Well wrapped into convincing
arrangements, Wendy Stark offers us ten themes of a tremendously
intimate nature.
SARAH TOMBLIN

You can find more information about New World label here:

http://www.newworldmusic.com

CODE INDIGO:
"UFORIA"
AD Music
The band Code Indigo, whose basic nucleus is formed by David
Wright, Robert Fox and Nik Smith, presents in this album an
interesting tour through different styles fused within a general
structure near to atmospheric Pop. The compositions are overflown
with symphonic melodies, powerful rhythms (with elements of
progressive rock and Space Sequencer Music), and also romanticism
and passion. Also various influences such as Trance, Jazz, Ambient
as well as others can be perceived in some of the themes. This
band has been described as a fusion between Pink Floyd and Enigma.
EDGAR KOGLER

CODE: INDIGO
Code: Indigo is a band mainly based on David Wright and Robert
Fox. Both musicians, each one of them having several records
released in their respective solo careers, decided to initiate
this collaboration in 1994, as an additional way to channel their
creativity. As they advanced in their project, Nik Smith and
Vaughn Evans joined them.
Essential recordings:
FOR WHOM THE BELL
UFORIA

====================

We are preparing an international directory of record companies,
artists, festivals, radio shows, zines, webs, journalists,
associations, and other organizations & people working in the
field of electronic music, Ambient, New Instrumental,
Experimental, World Music, and so on. The inserts are free. The
persons or firms wishing to be included can send us a file of no
more than 600 words with the data they consider as being of
interest (contact addresses - snail mail, telephone number, fax,
email, URL... -) and an explanatory text on their activities in
English) to: amazings@...

We are also preparing an encyclopaedia of composers of electronic
music. The artists wishing to be included can send us a biography
(with a list of works and contact address if they wish to) of no
more than 900 words, in English, to amazings@.... Inserts
are free.

The persons or firms having a page in internet related in some way
to the alternative musics can communicate the URL, as well as a
brief description of its contents, to webmaster@..., and
we will set a link from our web to theirs (The insert of a link in
our web is free whenever it is corresponded with a similar link
from their web to our web)

====================

Our warmest greetings for our readers and until the next edition
of Amazing Sounds.

====================

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