lecture 10

Ambient Music

An ambiance refers to an atmosphere or a surrounding influence, a kind of tint. My goal is to create original pieces—primarily but not exclusively—for specific times and settings, aiming to develop a diverse yet adaptable collection of environmental music that suits various moods and atmospheres. — Brian Eno
We will start by exploring Satie’s concept of "Furniture Music" and trace the evolution of ambient music through the 20th century. This journey will include a look at composers whose work navigates the space between foreground and background, expression and function. For instance, Wendy Carlos blended field recordings with synthesizer sounds in Sonic Seasonings, while Tangerine Dream created long, evolving synthesized soundscapes in the early 70s. In 1978, Brian Eno coined the term "Ambient Music" to describe his influential album Music for Airports.