Most people think that the age of "computer" music has begun with the introduction of the Synclavier (1975), Crumar's GDS (1979), the Fairlight CMI (1978-80), Yamaha's GS 1 (1981) or even it's DX 7 (1983). All wrong. Although I'm a complete hillbilly in this matter, I can trace the age of digital music to the late Fifties (yes, the decade when Sputnik was launched). Some of the early computer pieces I know:
- Newman Gutman: The Silver Scale (1957) - reportedly the first computer piece ever
- John Pierce: Stochata (1959)
- Max Mathews: Several computer pieces since the early Sixties (e.g. "Numerology")
- Pietro Grossi: Computer Music (ca. 1967)
- Jean-Claude Rissett: Several works beginning with "Mutations" (1969)
- Vladimir Ussachevsky: Two Sketches for a Computer Piece (1971)
- Iannis Xenakis: works for UPIC since 1971 (like La Legend d'Eer, Persepolis, Polytope de Cluny)
- John Chowning: A few pieces 1970+
- Thorkell Sigurbjörnsson: La Jolla Good Friday (1975)
- Herbert Brün: Sawdust (1976-)
Here's some more. Nonesuch's out-of-print vinyl-only release Computer Music. It feature the following tracks/artists:
- J.K. Randall: Quartets in Paris / Quartersines / Mudgett: Monologues By A Mass Murderer
- Barry Vercoe: Synthesism
- Charles Dodge: Changes
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