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The first thing I would do is go to a decent library (Public, rich university, etc.). There is usually a wealth of 'avant-garde' stuff there, and you can audition it on the spot. I have found a pile of very interesting music this way, especially from the more obscure composers (in the vein of Charles Ives, etc.).

The classics are great, but since the genre seems to have a relatively subjective element to it, you are bound to find something new and exciting that isn't on too many lists.

Max Niehaus is the shit. Check out the Nonesuch catalog...they seem responsible for a large percentage of interesting releases along these lines.

Cranius wrote:Delia Derbyshire (BBC Radiophonic Workshop) and particularly the White Noise An Electric Storm album.

I own this album, and I really fail to see what people get so excited about, certainly compared to peers in both the pop / Krautrock world and the 20thC avant garde.

I'm not dissing Delia D, but I find this album a bit annoying and indulgent compared to the best of the era, electronically speaking. It seems to be an album to own and talk about, rather than an fascinating record that bears repeated listens.

Doctor Who Theme = extraordinary. White Noise = ordinary.

Sub Rosa Records.

These releases:
Anthology Of Noise and Electronic Music (Vols 1-4)
Futurism and Dada Reviewed

They're all really great listens. Its a lot of fun hearing early pieces of this kind. Theres a good amount of sound collage, tape loops and etc. on the "anthology" sets, and they feature some more recent material (as late as 2004).

The Futurism an Dada Reviewed album will be more up your alley, since all its pieces are pre-1960.

Everyone from Luigi Russolo to William Burroughs to Faust to Merzbow is featured on the above releases.

BRUCE HAACK !!!
I am surprised he hasn't been mentioned yet.

falsedog wrote:Walter Carlos

Don't forget his sister Wendy!









chuckles

Pierre Henry

Have a look at this.
I've spent the past month going through this stuff. The 'Electronic Panorama' is a fairly good as a starting point...

Not "avante" in the classic sense (no German dudes in black turtle necks communing with white noise and such) but late 50's and early sixties manipulation pioneers and definitely experimental in their day.

Joe Meek
"I hear a new world"

Half of it is almost pop music but something is quite wrong with it. Lots of tape manipulation and home made transistory noises, Damn creepy. Creepy in a dwarves with knives way.

Les Paul and Mary Ford

If you have never checked out Les Paul's classic recordings do so. It's all emanating from "Jazz" guitar but it's many many tracks of guitars, shifting pitches , percussing , and creating organ and synth like sounds that weave in and out . Layers of Mary fords vocals belting otherworldly western swing on top of the whole thing. All done on equipment that les paul designed, severely modiifed or built himself. It's Upbeat AND good.

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Derek wrote:Some favorites:

Morton Subotnick, Silver Apples of the Moon

Iannis Xenakis, Electronic Music

Popol Vuh, Affenstunde (The 1st Popol Vuh record. An early Moog masterpiece. It's the only P.V. record that sounds like this)

I agree with Derek. Also look for what is arguably Stockhausen's greatest album, Kontakte. There is also an electronic music links section I've posted on the Boston Audio Society site here:

http://www.bostonaudiosociety.org/links4.htm

Barry