Richard Galbraith’s Polyphony – Analog Arrangements Of 16th Century Polyphonic Vocal Music

richard-gailbraith-polyphonyReader Doug Slocum – the guru behind Synthetic Sound Labs’ modular gear – let us know about an impressive new album of music that features analog arrangements of 16th century polyphonic vocal music.

Richard Galbraith’s Polyphony is a collection of 11 works, by Tallis, Byrd, de Lassus and others, arranged for modular analog synthesizer. Gailbraith doesn’t go the ‘switched on’ route, instead creating arrangements that – while definitely electronic – have more of an organic, orchestral feel.

Here’s a preview of the album:

Credits:

  • Modular synthesizer: Richard Galbraith
  • Violin (Nesciens mater virgo virum, O salutaris hostia) and keyboard (Gloria): Rene Romig

In his notes for the album, Galbraith thanks names that will be familiar to many modular synth owners: Roger Arrick, Synthesizers.com; Bryan Benting; John Burdick, Grove Audio; Phil Petschke, MegaOhm Audio; Paul Schreiber, MOTM/Synthesis Technology; Doug Slocum, Synthetic Sound Labs. Additional thanks to: John L. Rice, David Ryle

The album is available in digital format for $7 via Bandcamp, or as a CD.

16 thoughts on “Richard Galbraith’s Polyphony – Analog Arrangements Of 16th Century Polyphonic Vocal Music

  1. I really dig polyphony and want to hear Richard’s stuff but the audio isn’t coming up on either my windows or mac machines. Tallis uber alles.

    1. Your browser settings that prevents popups or scripts, or a firewall enhancer like Privoxy (*) probably blocks the player. You need to switch it off (whatever it is) and reload the page.

      (*) which you should have. Privoxy removes most ads from pages, including the crap about shaving & dating I see on Synthopia when listening to this fine arrangement.

  2. The music is obviously up now. Absolutely stunning work. Stands up fairly well beside the work of the Tallis Scholars, Van Nevel & Huelgas Ens, Herrewerghe and so on in terms of interpretation. Only wish was for a bit more timbral variation with the synth used to voice most of the lines throughout the recording. Regardless this is an extremely significant recording in my books.

  3. Thanks for sharing this. I’m listening it every night since three days.

    I like ancient music mixed with modern instruments, like jacques loussier or wendy carlos with bach’s works.

    The first one on the list, by j.mouton is so beautiful.

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