Berlin School (Music)

Berlin School (Music)

The Berlin School is a genre of electronic music that originated in Berlin, Germany, in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The sound is characterized by its use of synthesizers, sequencers, and tape loops to create long, evolving compositions.

The Berlin School was pioneered by a group of musicians and composers, including Klaus Schulze, Tangerine Dream, and Ashra. These musicians were inspired by a variety of sources, including classical music, ambient music, and psychedelic rock.

The Berlin School quickly gained popularity in Berlin and other cities around the world. The genre helped to define the sound of electronic music in the 1980s and 1990s, and it continues to be a major influence on electronic music today.

The Elements of the Berlin School

The Berlin School is characterized by a number of elements, including:

Use of synthesizers: Berlin School tracks typically feature a wide variety of synthesizers, including analog synthesizers, digital synthesizers, and drum machines. These synthesizers are used to create a variety of sounds, from lush and atmospheric to harsh and aggressive.

Use of sequencers: Berlin School tracks often feature sequencers, which are devices that can be used to create repetitive patterns. These patterns can be used to create a driving and hypnotic sound.

Use of tape loops: Berlin School tracks often feature tape loops, which are short sections of audio that are looped over and over again. These loops can be used to create a sense of movement and texture.

The Artists of the Berlin School

The Berlin School was recorded by a wide range of artists, including:

Klaus Schulze

Tangerine Dream

Ashra

Franke-N-Fletcher

Ash Ra Tempel

Neu!

Cluster

Harmonia

The Legacy of the Berlin School

The Berlin School is a significant and influential genre of electronic music. The genre helped to define the sound of electronic music in the 1980s and 1990s, and it continues to be a major influence on electronic music today.

The Berlin School has been sampled and referenced by a wide range of artists, including Aphex Twin, Boards of Canada, and Orbital. The genre has also been featured in a number of films and television shows, such as "Blade Runner" and "2001: A Space Odyssey."

Conclusion

The Berlin School is a genre of electronic music that is characterized by its use of synthesizers, sequencers, and tape loops to create long, evolving compositions. The genre was pioneered by a group of musicians and composers in Berlin, Germany, in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Berlin School quickly gained popularity in Berlin and other cities around the world, and it continues to be a major influence on electronic music today.

Some notable songs of the Berlin School include:

"Moondawn" by Klaus Schulze (1976)

"Phaedra" by Tangerine Dream (1974)

"Ashra" by Ashra (1977)

"Equinox" by Franke-N-Fletcher (1975)

"Schwarzheit" by Ash Ra Tempel (1971)

"Hallogallo" by Neu! (1971)

"Cluster II" by Cluster (1971)

"Harmonia 70" by Harmonia (1971)

Posted by November 16th, 2023

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