A Sonic Autobiography from Hans-Joachim Roedelius | The Artistry Behind ’90’

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Born in pre-war Berlin, Hans-Joachim Roedelius’ journey is a testament to the power of artistic perseverance. As this pioneering German composer approaches his 90th birthday, Groenland Records unveils a remarkable 4LP box set titled “90”, offering a rare glimpse into the early worksof an artist who has shaped the course of electronic and experimental music for over five decades.

The recordings, sourced from two-track Revox tapes dating from 1968 to the mid-1980s, offer listeners an intimate audio diary of the composer’s life and work. These tapes, meticulously preserved and digitized by Klaus Becker, provide a unique window into Roedelius’s creative process, complete with the ambient sounds of family life and the spontaneous moments that occur during the act of creation.

The preservation of these tapes was no small feat. Many had deteriorated over time, requiring innovative restoration techniques such as baking to make them playable again.

The first four sides of the collection showcase languid tone poems created with a Farfisa organ, synthesizers, rhythm boxes, and electric guitar. These pieces highlight Roedelius’s mastery of layering sounds, creating complex compositions from a relatively limited palette of instruments.

Perhaps most intriguing is the collection’s exploration of drone-based works. At the time of their creation, these pieces were considered niche, yet they foreshadowed the rise of deep listening practices that have gained popularity in recent years.

The final record in the set takes listeners on a journey to Blumau, Austria, where Roedelius developed a profound relationship with the piano. This shift from purely electronic experimentation to the incorporation of traditional instrumentation marks a significant evolution in his artistic approach.

Roedelius’s collaborations with other musicians have resulted in seminal albums that have challenged and expanded our understanding of what music can be. Artists like Brian Eno have cited Roedelius as a major inspiration, acknowledging the profound impact his work has had on their own creative processes.

As a co-founder of the influential group Cluster and a key member of Harmonia, Roedelius played a pivotal role in defining the sound of German experimental electronic music in the 1970s and beyond.

With this 2024 release, we’re reminded of the power of sound to transcend time and connect us through shared experiences. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast of electronic music or a curious newcomer, “90” promises to be an enlightening journey through a rich tapestry of musical history.