Robert Rich 'Somnium' Hypnos Robert Rich is the mastermind behind Somnium, a single continuous track, comprised of a seven hour long "sleep concert", which was recorded to take advantage of the DVD formats extending playing capabilities. This may be one of the longest continuous musical compositions ever released in any format. As a result, Somnium represents an ambient music landmark. Robert Rich has meticulously crafted a fresh studio interpretation of his notorious all-night Sleep Concerts, incorporating newly recorded electro-acoustic,electronic and environmental textures, with elements created for the original live events. Somnium guides the listener through an ever-changing dreamscape, with levels of subtle detail that reward both active attention and background listening. Deep and sonorous, mysterious and diffuse, liquid and hypnogogic. The concert is comprised of three sections. Part 1: 2 hours, 35 minutes, Part 2: 2 hours, and Part 3: 2 hours, 25 minutes. The recording was assembled and edited from August 1999 to July 2000, using sound elements recorded between 1994 and 2000 by Robert Rich. Instrumental sounds include analog and digital electronics, processed flutes and acoustic piano, lap steel guitar with a Sustainiac Model B pickup, chimes and bowed metal. Environmental sounds were recorded by Robert Rich in California, Iowa, Minnesota, Washington and Mexico. Additional sounds include electric fish (Apteronotus leptorhyncus) recorded at Scripps Institute with the assistance of Calvin Wong, and processed environments from the library of Andy Wiskes. It is irrelevant whether these sounds originate from an organicor electronic status, like such luminous anomalies as quasars and black holes, the very ambiguity of their nature imbues them with a sendse of mystery, awe,and splendor. Rich once again proves that its not the equipment that empowers the mind, but the ability and insight of the composer. As with all good music of this nature, a pair of closed eyes and a fertile imagination can take the listener on some very plesant journeys. Rich has crafted an album of epic proportion, which emits a wonderful energy of genuine emotion and feeling behind it's grand aspirations. Rich is a composer of great depth and vivid imagination. Highly recommended. Review by Ben Kettlewell info: website:http://www.amoeba.com/rrframeset.html

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