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{{genrebox|name=Ambient/ Space music
|color=silver
|bgcolor=black
|stylistic_origins=], ]
|cultural_origins=]
|instruments=]s, some ambient artists use traditional instrumentation of almost any variety
|popularity=Low.
|derivatives=] - ] - ]
|subgenrelist=List of electronic music genres
|subgenres=] - ] - ] - ] - ]
|fusiongenres=
|regional_scenes=
|other_topics=]
}}
'''Ambient music''' is a loosely defined ] that incorporates elements of a number of different styles - including ], ], ], ], modern ], ], ], ] and even ]. It is chiefly identifiable as having an overarching atmospheric context.

==History==
]

The term was first coined by ] in the late ] to refer to music that would envelop the listener without drawing attention to itself, that can be either "actively listened to with attention or as easily ignored, depending on the choice of the listener". Hence, Brian Eno is considered the father of ambient music: his ] release '']'' includes a manifesto describing this music. Although having coined the phrase "ambient", he is also quick to reference the works and influence of ]. Sometimes associated with ] and ], it is more often similar to ] or an ambient background in movie and radio ]s. Often listeners will forget they are listening to ambient music, which is one of the biggest attractions of the genre. It can be any musical style, including jazz, electronic music and modern classical music.

Retrospectively, some of the works of the ] French composer ], today best known for his '']'' suite, can be regarded as predecessors of modern ambient music. He referred to some of his music as 'furniture music' (or more literally, 'music for the furniture') and 'music to mingle with knives and forks', referring to something that could be played during dinner and would simply create an atmosphere for that activity rather than be the focus of attention. The invention of the ] in the early 20th century is also considered an important influence on the later development of ambient music. Similarly some of the works of the French composer ], who used the theremin extensively in his compositions as well as atonal techniques and non-standard time signatures, can also be viewed as predecessors of ambient music.

Early albums from the ] by ], such as ] (]), have greatly influenced the genre. Also the album ] (]) by ] has been important. Other early artists such as ], ] and ] in the ] and ], ] and ] in the ], all of which were considered ] or ], also influenced the growth of ambient electronic music.

Purely ambient music is traditionally beatless. In the late ] and early ] ambient music underwent a resurgence with the reconciliation of rhythm with the dreamy, meandering reverb of the first (late 1970s - 1980s) wave of ambient music. Under the guise of various styles, ambient electronic music (sometimes referred to as ambient ] or ambient ]) saw the birth of a new wave of ] in the works of artists like ], ] and the ].

==Styles of ambient music==

===Organic ambient music===

Organic ambient music is characterised by integration of ], ], and ] musical instruments.
Aside from the usual electronic music influences, organic ambient tends to incorporate influences from ], especially ] instruments and hand ]. Organic ambient is intended to be more harmonious with ] than with the ]. Some of the artists in this sub-genre include ], ], ], ], ] and ].

Some works by ambient pioneers such as Brian Eno, which use a combination of traditional (such as piano) and electronic instruments would be considered organic ambient music in this sense.

===Nature inspired ambient music===

The music is composed from samples and recordings of naturally occurring sounds. Sometimes these samples can be treated to make them more instrument-like. The samples may be arranged in repetitive ways to form a conventional musical structure or may be random and unfocused. Sometimes the sound is mixed with urban or "found" sounds. Examples include much of ] '']'', ]'s insect music and ]'s '']''. Some overlap occurs between organic ambient and nature inspired ambient.

===Isolationist ambient music===

Isolationist ambient music is perhaps the darkest, least accessible of ambient music. Inspired by ], ], and ], isolationist may be rather ]-like: more repellant than inviting. The ] label is the primary purveyor of isolationist ambient, in particular with the "drones" compilation series. Some of the artists known for this style of ambient music include ], ], ], ], and ].



==Notable artists and works in chronological order==

''Main article:'' ]

<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1" width=80% style="border-width:1px solid gray; border-collapse:collapse;" class="toccolours">

<tr><th>Artist name</th><th>Influential works</th><th>Time period</th></tr>

<tr><td>]</td><td>'']''</td><td>]-]</td></tr>

<tr><td>]</td><td>''Ecuatorial''</td><td>]</td></tr>

<tr><td>]</td><td>''Sonic Seasonings''</td><td>]</td></tr>

<tr><td>]</td><td>]<br> ]<br>
'']''<br>
''Stratosfear''
</td><td>]-]</td></tr>

<tr><td>]</td><td>''Radio Gnome Invisible (trilogy)'':<br>
''The Octave Doctors and the Crystal Machine'' (from ''Flying Teapot'')<br>
''A Sprinkling of Clouds'' (from ''You'')
</td><td>]-]</td></tr>

<tr><td>]</td><td>'']''<br>
'']''<br>
'']''<br>
'']''<br>
''Ambient 4: On Land''<br>
''Possible Musics: Fourth World'' (with ])<br>
''Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks''</td><td>]-</td></tr>

<tr><td>]</td><td>''Call of the Unknown''.</td><td>] -
]</td></tr>

<tr><td>]</td><td>''Compucircuit 0.008m/s''<br>
''Ether''<br>
''Mechanism of Thought''<br>
''Music for Movies''</td><td>]-]</td></tr>


<tr><td>]</td><td>''Novus Magnificat''
</td><td>]-</td></tr>

<tr><td>]</td><td>''Structures from Silence''<br>
''The Magnificent Void''<br>
''Quiet Music''</td><td>]-</td></tr>

<tr><td>]</td><td>''Echoes''.</td><td>]</td></tr>

<tr><td>]</td><td>''The Orb's Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld''<br>''U.F.Orb''</td><td>]-]</td></tr>

<tr><td>]</td><td>''Chill Out''</td><td>]</td></tr>

<tr><td>]</td><td>''ISDN''<br>''Lifeforms''<br>''Dead Cities''</td><td>]-]</td></tr>

<tr><td>]</td><td>'']''<br>
'']''</td><td>]-]</td></tr>

<tr><td>]</td><td>''76:14''</td><td>]</td></tr><tr>

<td>] AKA Voodoo Child</td><td>''Ambient''<br>
''The End of Everything''</td><td>]-]</td></tr>

<td>]</td><td>'']'' <br>
'']''</td><td> ]-]</td></tr>

<tr><td>]</td><td>''Silence I<br>Air I<br>Air II''<br>''Outland''</td><td>] -</td></tr>

<tr><td>]</td><td>''Amber''</td><td>]</td></tr>
<tr><td>]</td><td>''Microgravity'' <br>
''Substrata'' <br>''Substrata 2''</td><td>] - ]</td></tr>

<tr><td>]</td><td>''fLOW''<br>
''SEELEWASCHEN''</td><td>] - ]</td></tr>

<tr><td>William Basinski</td><td>''The River''<br>
''The Disintegration Loops''</td><td>]-</td></tr>

<tr><td>]</td><td>''Astral Currents''<br>
''Zoetosis''</td><td>]</td></tr>

<tr><td>]</td><td>''Yellow''<br>
''Solid Water''</td><td>] - ]</td></tr>

<tr><td>]</td><td>''Solve''</td><td>]</td></tr>

</table>

==Sound==
* ] ]
*
*
* ambient works by American composers

==Software==
*: ambient soundscape generator by Karlheinz Essl (Apple Macintosh)
*: ambient sound environment by Karlheinz Essl (Apple Macintosh)

==See also==
* ]
* ] (IDM)
* ]

==External links and references==
* dreamSTATE's anotated guide to the most relevant ambient music mega-sites.
* Guide to positive ambient music, including cd reviews and forum.
* David Toop ''Ocean of Sound: aethertalk, ambient sound and imaginary worlds'' (]) Serpent's Tail ISBN 1-85242-382-X ISBN 1852427434
* Supporting
* Guide to ambient music style, including reviews of important ambient works.
* Retrospective on ambient music.
* electronic music community. news, reviews, forum, links.
* Portuguese chill out organisation.
* Portal for chillout, downbeat and ambient music.

{{Electronic_music-footer}}
]
]

]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]

Revision as of 14:17, 18 October 2005

Ambient/ Space music
Stylistic origins20th century classical music, Electronic art music
Cultural origins1970s
Typical instrumentsElectronic musical instruments, some ambient artists use traditional instrumentation of almost any variety
Derivative formsAmbient house - Ambient techno - Drum and bass
Subgenres
Ambient house - Illbient - New Age - Dark ambient - Lowercase
(complete list)
Other topics
Ambient music artists

Ambient music is a loosely defined musical genre that incorporates elements of a number of different styles - including jazz, electronic music, new age, rock and roll, modern classical music, reggae, traditional, world and even noise. It is chiefly identifiable as having an overarching atmospheric context.

History

The Cover of Brian Eno's Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks, widely considered a quintessential ambient music release from 1983, seven years after Eno defined the term "ambient" as related to music.

The term was first coined by Brian Eno in the late 1970s to refer to music that would envelop the listener without drawing attention to itself, that can be either "actively listened to with attention or as easily ignored, depending on the choice of the listener". Hence, Brian Eno is considered the father of ambient music: his 1978 release Ambient 1: Music for Airports includes a manifesto describing this music. Although having coined the phrase "ambient", he is also quick to reference the works and influence of Erik Satie. Sometimes associated with elevator music and Muzak, it is more often similar to mood music or an ambient background in movie and radio sound effects. Often listeners will forget they are listening to ambient music, which is one of the biggest attractions of the genre. It can be any musical style, including jazz, electronic music and modern classical music.

Retrospectively, some of the works of the 20th century French composer Erik Satie, today best known for his Trois Gymnopédies suite, can be regarded as predecessors of modern ambient music. He referred to some of his music as 'furniture music' (or more literally, 'music for the furniture') and 'music to mingle with knives and forks', referring to something that could be played during dinner and would simply create an atmosphere for that activity rather than be the focus of attention. The invention of the theremin in the early 20th century is also considered an important influence on the later development of ambient music. Similarly some of the works of the French composer Edgar Varèse, who used the theremin extensively in his compositions as well as atonal techniques and non-standard time signatures, can also be viewed as predecessors of ambient music.

Early albums from the 1970s by Tangerine Dream, such as Phaedra (1974), have greatly influenced the genre. Also the album Sonic Seasonings (1972) by Wendy Carlos has been important. Other early artists such as Kraftwerk, Jean-Michel Jarre and Vangelis in the 1970s and Ray Buttigieg, Ray Lynch and Mannheim Steamroller in the 1980s, all of which were considered New Age or Space Age, also influenced the growth of ambient electronic music.

Purely ambient music is traditionally beatless. In the late 1980s and early 1990s ambient music underwent a resurgence with the reconciliation of rhythm with the dreamy, meandering reverb of the first (late 1970s - 1980s) wave of ambient music. Under the guise of various styles, ambient electronic music (sometimes referred to as ambient techno or ambient dub) saw the birth of a new wave of electronic music in the works of artists like The Orb, Aphex Twin and the Irresistible Force.

Styles of ambient music

Organic ambient music

Organic ambient music is characterised by integration of electronic, electric, and acoustic musical instruments. Aside from the usual electronic music influences, organic ambient tends to incorporate influences from world music, especially drone instruments and hand percussion. Organic ambient is intended to be more harmonious with nature than with the disco. Some of the artists in this sub-genre include Robert Rich, Steve Roach, Vidna Obmana, Numina, O Yuki Conjugate and Tuu.

Some works by ambient pioneers such as Brian Eno, which use a combination of traditional (such as piano) and electronic instruments would be considered organic ambient music in this sense.

Nature inspired ambient music

The music is composed from samples and recordings of naturally occurring sounds. Sometimes these samples can be treated to make them more instrument-like. The samples may be arranged in repetitive ways to form a conventional musical structure or may be random and unfocused. Sometimes the sound is mixed with urban or "found" sounds. Examples include much of Biosphere's Substrata, Mira Calix's insect music and Chris Watson's Weather Report. Some overlap occurs between organic ambient and nature inspired ambient.

Isolationist ambient music

Isolationist ambient music is perhaps the darkest, least accessible of ambient music. Inspired by industrial music, noise music, and classical music, isolationist may be rather dirge-like: more repellant than inviting. The Sombient label is the primary purveyor of isolationist ambient, in particular with the "drones" compilation series. Some of the artists known for this style of ambient music include Robert Fripp, Vidna Obmana, Jeff Greinke, Naut Humon, and Iszoloscope.


Notable artists and works in chronological order

Main article: List of ambient artists


Artist nameInfluential worksTime period
Erik SatieFurniture music1817-1923
Edgar VarèseEcuatorial1930s
Wendy CarlosSonic Seasonings1972
Tangerine DreamZeit
Phaedra

Rubycon
Stratosfear

1972-1976
GongRadio Gnome Invisible (trilogy):

The Octave Doctors and the Crystal Machine (from Flying Teapot)
A Sprinkling of Clouds (from You)

1973-1974
Brian EnoAnother Green World

Discreet Music
No_Pussyfooting
Evening Star
Ambient 4: On Land
Possible Musics: Fourth World (with Jon Hassell)

Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks		1975-
DeuterCall of the Unknown.1970s - 1980s
Ray ButtigiegCompucircuit 0.008m/s

Ether
Mechanism of Thought

Music for Movies		1978-1983
Constance DembyNovus Magnificat 1978-
Steve RoachStructures from Silence

The Magnificent Void

Quiet Music		1983-
Wally BadarouEchoes.1980s
The OrbThe Orb's Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld
U.F.Orb		1989-1991
KLFChill Out1990
Future Sound of LondonISDN
Lifeforms
Dead Cities		1992-1998
Aphex TwinSelected Ambient Works 85-92
Selected Ambient Works Vol. 2		1992-1994
Global Communication76:141994
Moby AKA Voodoo ChildAmbient
The End of Everything		1993-1997
BjörkHomogenic
Vespertine		 1997-2001
Pete NamlookSilence I
Air I
Air II
Outland		1992 -
AutechreAmber1994
BiosphereMicrogravity
Substrata
Substrata 2		1991 - 2004
Karlheinz EsslfLOW
SEELEWASCHEN		1998 - 2004
William BasinskiThe River
The Disintegration Loops		1998-
Telomere MusicAstral Currents
Zoetosis		1998, 2001
Chillage PeopleYellow
Solid Water		1998 - 2004
One UmbrellaSolve2005

Sound

Software

  • fLOW: ambient soundscape generator by Karlheinz Essl (Apple Macintosh)
  • SEELEWASCHEN: ambient sound environment by Karlheinz Essl (Apple Macintosh)

See also

External links and references

Electronic-based music styles
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