Riley: Songs for the 10 Voices of the 2 Prophets

"Riley: Songs for the 10 Voices of the 2 Prophets" is a captivating exploration of sound and texture, showcasing Terry Riley's mastery of minimalism and avant-garde composition. Released in 1982 under the Kuckuck label, this album is a testament to Riley's innovative approach to music, blending ambient, drone, and experimental genres into a cohesive and immersive experience. Recorded live at Amerika-Haus, Munich, the album captures the raw energy and precision of a live performance, engineered and edited by Ulrich Kraus using state-of-the-art digital equipment.

The album features three spellbinding tracks: "Embroidery," "Eastern Man," and "Chorale of the Blessed Day," each offering a unique sonic landscape that unfolds over the course of 45 minutes. Commissioned by Radio Bremen, West Germany, "Songs for the 10 Voices of the 2 Prophets" is a work for voice and two Prophet 5 synthesizers, highlighting Riley's ability to create intricate and mesmerizing soundscapes. This album is a must-listen for fans of experimental music and those seeking to delve deeper into the avant-garde compositions of Terry Riley.

Terry Riley, born in 1935, is a pioneering American composer renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to the minimalist music genre. His innovative approach, blending influences from jazz and Indian classical music, has left an indelible mark on experimental, rock, and electronic music. Riley's most celebrated works, the 1964 composition "In C" and the 1969 album "A Rainbow in Curved Air," are seminal pieces that have defined minimalism and continue to captivate audiences worldwide. Throughout his career, Riley has collaborated with diverse artists, including the Kronos Quartet and Pandit Pran Nath, and his explorations into just intonation and improvisation have expanded the boundaries of contemporary music. From his early experiments with La Monte Young and Fluxus to his ongoing collaborations, Terry Riley's music offers a rich tapestry of sound that invites listeners to explore the depths of musical repetition and innovation.