Walter/Wendy Carlos
General Discussions

Switched on Bach

Julian Mincham wrote (January 3, 2010):
For those interestested in the impact of Bach's music on jazz and popular music in the mid C20 there was a programme (Bach Fever) on BBC Radio 4 this afternoon. This should be available on BBC catchup for the next week.

I was a bit surprised that John Lewis wasj't mentioned, surely one of the C20 jazz musicians most influenced by Bach (but then the programme was only a half hour long). I did learn (which I had not been aware of) that Walter Carlos is now Wendy Carlos and has been for many years---and subsequently I found a biog and photographs on Aryeh's website.

Ed Myskowski wrote (January 5, 2010):
Julian Mincham wrote:
< For those interestested in the impact of Bach's music on jazz and popular music in the mid C20 there was a programme (Bach Fever) on BBC Radio 4 this afternoon. This should be available on BBC catchup for the next week.
I was a bit surprised that John Lewis wasn't mentioned, surely one of the C20 jazz musicians >most influenced by Bach >
I believe the introduction to Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise by the Modern Jazz Quartet (early 1950s) is a direct quote from Bach, although I have not tried to identify it further. Subsequently, both the MJQ and John Lewis independently recorded Bach pieces, which I also have not yet investigated. New Years Resolution?

JM:
< I did learn (which I had not been aware of) that Walter Carlos is now Wendy Carlos and has been >for many years---and subsequently I found a biog and photographs on Aryeh's website. >
EM:
I have been aware of Walter/Wendy, thanks to an alert Boston radio announcer many years ago. I will resist any puns on switched. No surprise that Aryeh is so thorough.

Walter/Wendy Carlos: Short Biography | Recordings of Vocal & Instrumental Works | General Discussions