Uploaded May 2012 | Updated September 2026, 23 hours ago
8-channel electroacoustic composition / commissioned by Ina-GRM 2007 / studio : GRM Paris 2007 / duration: 13:00 min / first performance in the original 8-channel version on January 13, 2007, Maison de la Radio France Paris
to my mother
In this composition, the picture of liquid, moving, and fast-dissolving forms became the metaphor for sound spatialization in the electroacoustic space. Each musical gesture is bound to a specific space movement that underlines its character. Out of recorded sequences with a gong, other percussion instruments, trumpet, flute and vocal fragments, these rather distant sound elements develop a common musical discourse. Their very different spectra are reduced occasionally to the loudest harmonic components, retaining just pure pitches and melodies: as a result, their differences disappear.
8-kanalige elektroakustische Komposition / Auftrag: Ina-GRM / Studio : GRM Paris / 2007 /
Dauer: 13:00 min / Uraufführung am 13. Januar 2007, Maison de la Radio France
Für meine Mutter
Das Bild von flüssigen, sich bewegenden und schnell auflösenden Formen wurde in dieser Komposition zur Metapher für Klangbewegungen im elektroakustischen Raum. Jede musikalische Geste ist an eine spezifische Raumbewegung gebunden, die ihren Charakter unterstreicht. Ausgehend von aufgenommenen Sequenzen mit einem Gong, anderen Schlaginstrumenten, Trompete, Flöte und einigen vokalen Fragmenten, entwickeln diese eher entfernten Klangelemente einen gemeinsamen musikalischen Diskurs. Ihre sehr unterschiedlichen Spektren werden von Zeit zu Zeit auf die lautesten harmonischen Bestandteile reduziert, es entstehen pure Tonhöhen und Melodien, die die klanglichen Unterschiede der Ausgangsklänge nicht mehr erkennen lässt.
8-channel electroacoustic composition / commissioned by Ina-GRM 2007 / studio : GRM Paris 2007 / duration: 13:00 min / first performance in the original 8-channel version on January 13, 2007, Maison de la Radio France Paris
to my mother
In this composition, the picture of liquid, moving, and fast-dissolving forms became the metaphor for sound spatialization in the electroacoustic space. Each musical gesture is bound to a specific space movement that underlines its character. Out of recorded sequences with a gong, other percussion instruments, trumpet, flute and vocal fragments, these rather distant sound elements develop a common musical discourse. Their very different spectra are reduced occasionally to the loudest harmonic components, retaining just pure pitches and melodies: as a result, their differences disappear.
8-kanalige elektroakustische Komposition / Auftrag: Ina-GRM / Studio : GRM Paris / 2007 /
Dauer: 13:00 min / Uraufführung am 13. Januar 2007, Maison de la Radio France
Für meine Mutter
Das Bild von flüssigen, sich bewegenden und schnell auflösenden Formen wurde in dieser Komposition zur Metapher für Klangbewegungen im elektroakustischen Raum. Jede musikalische Geste ist an eine spezifische Raumbewegung gebunden, die ihren Charakter unterstreicht. Ausgehend von aufgenommenen Sequenzen mit einem Gong, anderen Schlaginstrumenten, Trompete, Flöte und einigen vokalen Fragmenten, entwickeln diese eher entfernten Klangelemente einen gemeinsamen musikalischen Diskurs. Ihre sehr unterschiedlichen Spektren werden von Zeit zu Zeit auf die lautesten harmonischen Bestandteile reduziert, es entstehen pure Tonhöhen und Melodien, die die klanglichen Unterschiede der Ausgangsklänge nicht mehr erkennen lässt.
![Michael Hoenig - Departure From The Northern Wasteland [1978]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Di5GGKv7_00/mqdefault.jpg "Michael Hoenig - Departure From The Northern Wasteland [1978]
Lets go straight to the point: If you are fond of mid 70s Tangerine Dream, you will enjoy for sure this album. Departure From The Northern Wasteland is crafted in the same stone than Ricochet and Encore, minus the guitars. With this record, Michael Hoenig offers beautiful, contemplative and inspired electronic music dispatched in four pieces, mostly instrumental.
The title track is undoubtly the highlight of the disc. Perfectly sequenced, synthetizers themes evolve slowly and superposing mellotron waves reveal magic and crystalline landscapes. The song fades away softly during its final part. The tune could have well figured on a Tangerine Dream release. The next track, Hanging Garden Transfer, displays a much faster, colder and more robotic sound. There are truely very trippy and catchy passages in it. Voices Of Where arrives as a surprise, as it features no rythm and hardly no sequencing at all, mainly mellotron and backing vocals. The tune is relaxing but is also the weakest of the album, as it tends to be repetitive by moments. This is easily catched up with the ending track, Sun And Moon, which brings the sequencer back. It is at first glance reminiscent of Ashras New Age Of Earth. Then keyboards become more energic to offer a quite enchanting and spacey futuristic conclusion.
Not terrificly new but very inspired, Departure From The Northern Wasteland is quite similar to the albums from the classic Tangerine Dream line up with Baumann. It was released the same year the band tried to change their sound, to create something else. However, this album proves that Michael Hoenig can rank among the best electronic progressive german musicians. Its a pity he hadnt recorded more albums (the next one, Xcept One, is rather deceiving). Highly recommended to TD fans !
(Review by Modrigue on progarchives.com)")
