Digital Moonscapes [Enhanced]

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

Tracks:

Cosmological Impressions: Genesis
Cosmological Impressions: Eden
Cosmological Impressions: I.C.
Moonscapes: Luna
Moonscapes: Phobos & Deimos
Moonscapes: Ganymede
Moonscapes: Europe
Moonscapes: Io
Moonscapes: Callisto
Moonscapes: Rhea
Moonscapes: Titan
Moonscapes: Iapetus

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:

Great.......2006-08-10

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.

Regarding the orchestral replicas in Digital Moonscapes.......2002-08-21

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.

Amazing, outstanding, unbelieveably good!.......2000-11-28

A truly glorious recording, just what I want in music, with brilliancy, sensitivity, and beauty. This is a must have for every music lover worth the name.

Average customer rating:

Digital Moonscapes
Wendy Carlos
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Experimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000025ZV
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks: