Kosmische Musik and its Techno-Social Context

Authors

Keywords:

kosmische musik, krautrock, production aesthetics

Abstract

The electrification of music making in West Germany during the 1970s led to what is now often recognized as one of the most important developments in popular electronic music. In this article, the emergence of kosmische musik (“cosmic music”), a style of electronic music developed during the early 1970s, is contextualized within the social climate of West Germany and post-war attraction to emerging electronic music technologies. Beginning from accounts of the period, which associate kosmische musik with themes of space and otherworldliness, matters of production are positioned as a form of aesthetic demarcation that was encouraged by the technological and social context of West Germany. The approaches to acoustical space, sonic design, and performative agency are then explored in an analysis of Tangerine Dream’s “Phaedra”.

Author Biography

Alexander C Harden, IASPM UK & Ireland University of Surrey

Alexander C. Harden is a postgraduate researcher in popular music analysis at the University of Surrey. Following training at the University of Birmingham in electroacoustic composition and sonic art, he received a studentship to pursue a research project in narrative theory and the study of recorded popular song under the supervision of Professor Allan Moore. His research interests include: hermeneutics, narratology, and the art of record production.

References

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Discography

Ash Ra Tempel –

a. Schwingungen. Ohr Records, Germany.

b. “Traummaschine”. Kosmische Musik, Ohr Records, July, Germany.

Can. 1972. Ege Bamyasi, United Artists Records, November, Germany.

Harmonia –

a. “Sonnenschein”. Musik von Harmonia, Brain, January, Germany.

b. “Veterano”. Musik von Harmonia, Brain, January, Germany.

“Deluxe (Immer Wieder)”. Deluxe, Brain, August, Germany.

Neu –

a. Neu! 2. Brain, Germany.

b. “Hallo Excentrico”. Neu! 2, Brain, Germany.

Neu! 75. Brain, Germany.

Popol Vuh. 1972. “In Den Gärten Pharaos”. Kosmische Musik, Ohr Records, July, Germany.

Schulze, K. –

a. “Ebene”. Kosmische Musik, Ohr Records, July, Germany.

b. Irrlicht. Ohr Records, August, Germany.

c. “Land”. Kosmische Musik, Ohr Records, July, Germany.

Tangerine Dream –

Alpha Centauri. Ohr Records, March, Germany. Liner notes.

a. “Geburt”. Kosmische Musik, Ohr Records, July, Germany.

b. “Origin of Supernatural Probabilities”. Zeit, Ohr Records, August, Germany.

c. “Sunrise in the Third System”. Kosmische Musik, Ohr Records, July, Germany.

Phaedra. Virgin Records, 20 February, United Kingdom. Liner notes.

“Phaedra”. Phaedra, Virgin Records, United Kingdom.

Various. 1972. Kosmische Musik, Ohr Records, July, Germany.

Videography

BBC. 2009. Krautrock - The Rebirth of Germany, 23 October.

Downloads

Published

31-12-2016