VIRTUALITY Video: Part 1 The Moog Legacy (HD)

Youtube via interstellarcrew

All parts here.

"The high definition version of the first of many podcasts to come features the Bob Moog legacy and talks about how Amin Bhatia came to dedicate the album to him. Interviewed guests include Steve Porcaro, Patrick Moraz, Michelle Moog-Koussa as well as producers, engineers and musicians from "Virtuality"

The podcast series was written and directed by Saul Pincus with contributions from cinematographers and journalists all over the world. Special thanks to the crew at Full Sail University, as well as the Bob Moog Foundation and the offices of Steve Porcaro, Patrick Moraz, Bhatia Music and Splice Heist.

Please visit aminbhatia.com for more on the album and artist."

VIRTUALITY Video: Part 2 The Making of Bolero Electronica

YouTube via interstellarcrew.

Part 1 previously posted here.
"The second of many podcasts to come features The Making of Bolero Electronica and talks about the inspiration for using 75 years of synthesizers; the origins of the instruments; and the challenge of putting it all together, including footage of rare keyboards used at the esteemed Cantos Foundation. Along with composer Amin Bhatia are Interviewed guests including Roland founder Ikutaro Kakehashi, Steve Porcaro, Patrick Moraz, Michelle Moog-Koussa as well as producers, engineers and musicians from "Virtuality."

The podcast series was produced by Mark Dwyer and Saul Pincus with contributions from cinematographers and journalists all over the world. Special thanks to the crew at Full Sail University, as well as the Bob Moog Foundation, the Cantos Foundation, and the offices of Steve Porcaro, Patrick Moraz, Bhatia Music and Splice Heist.

Please visit aminbhatia.com for more on the album and artist."

Roland Synthesizer Tape Contest

via this auction

"These are very rare Roland Synthesizer Tape Contest tapes. Roland held yearly competitions back in the late 70's and early 80's where people would send in their electronic compositions and these were the winners for 1981 and 1982. Contest #5 was won by Amin Bhatia with a piece that was later redone and used as the main theme for his "Interstellar Suite". He now composes music for TV and movies. He also had an impressive piece called "Desert March of the Military" in contest #6. Approximately 20 pieces on #5 and 16 on #6."

AMIN BHATIA SEPTEMBER E-NEWS

If you aren't familiar with Amin Bhatia, see this post.

"Thanks to all who have made "Virtuality" a part of their virtual or real record collections. This new album from Amin is getting great reviews in print and on the net.

"...this is a must listen " Michael Gallant, Keyboard Magazine
"...a worthy successor to the legacy of The Interstellar Suite" Craig Anderton, EQ Magazine

Our thanks also to the many Interstellar Suite fans who've sent personal replies and reviews to this sequel album. Because Amin has been busy on the Flashpoint tv series he has not had time to respond (even to close friends and family) but we're catching up on the backlog now. In the meantime please continue to pass along the good word on "Virtuality" with guests Steve Porcaro and Patrick Moraz. It's available on CDBaby and on iTunes and a portion of every sale goes to the Bob Moog foundation. Here's a link to point your friends to info about Amin Bhatia new album release.

"FLASHPOINT" SPARKS
The CBS/CTV new series "Flashpoint" is pulling in record ratings every week with compelling drama from the perspective of the tactical sniper police squad. The theme song and music score is composed by Amin Bhatia and Ari Posner. They are just finishing Season One as you read this and plans are already underway for Season Two. Read more here.

THE TRIBUTE TO BOB MOOG PODCAST
The first in a series of video podcasts about the "Virtuality" CD has made quite an impact because of its professional quality. The 7-minute video features dozens of artists including Amin Bhatia, Steve Porcaro, Patrick Moraz and Michelle Moog Koussa and talks about the far reaching influence of Bob Moog, to whom "Virtuality" is dedicated. See it here. Our thanks to the hundreds of video and audio professionals who donated their time and expertise to make such a high quality podcast....and yes, there are more coming!

THE VIRTUAL TOUR CONTINUES IN SECOND LIFE
It's fitting that that the virtual community of Second Life has embraced Virtuality. The virtual record release party at the Music Academy Online simm was a resounding success in both real and virtual worlds. It premiered the creation of a virtual museum featuring many of the 70 synthesizers used in "Bolero Electronica", as well a "Virtuality ride" through several musical pieces of the album. For more about Virtuality on Second Life you can learn more here.

AMIN 'GIVES BACK' TO THE ROLAND SYNTH CONTEST
As many of you may know, Amin Bhatia was one of the early recipients of the Roland International Synthesizer contest, winning the grand prize two consecutive years. His winning composition was the foundation for his album "The Interstellar Suite" and essentially launched his career in film and television composition. Roland is re-introducing the contest and Amin has been asked to act as one of the judges for this year's competition. Are you a synthesist or want to encourage one? Learn more here.

WEBSITE
Many of the above links take you to our newly designed website and engine, aminbhatia.com."

Remembering Bob with YouTube Channel Launch

"August 21, 2008 - Remembering Bob and Celebrating Our Second Anniversary with Music for Download and YouTube Channel Launch

Today we pause to reflect on the powerful legacy that we strive to honor and support every day. Bob Moog lives on through his instruments, through the musicians that use them and through the music. Yet Bob's legacy of technical brilliance and creative warmth extends beyond the music community, and touches thousands of people around the world who have been effected by his pioneering career. The Caring Bridge site that Bob's family established for him in the summer of 2005 has now topped 300,000 visitors -- thousands of those people have left heartfelt tributes. Bob lives on in so many ways – the Moog Legacy is rich, vast and varied.

Today we launch a tribute to that legacy in our new YouTube channel. On this channel, you'll find friends, family, colleagues, musicians and music-lovers reflecting on the impact Bob had on their lives, and on the world of music. Featured on this channel is a beautifully crafted video from Amin Bhatia called "Virtuality: The Moog Legacy". You will remember that we featured Amin's "Virtuality" CD in our May newsletter in celebration of Bob's birthday. Now, Amin pays hommage to Bob in this video tribute. It is not to be missed! You can find out more about Amin's CD on his website www.aminbhatia.com.

Many thanks to our summer interns at Steven's Institute of Technology, Andrew Bentz and Ken Bachlor, who, along with their professor David Musial, created this YouTube site for us.

We are also delighted to announce that we now have music for download on our MySpace page. Many of the tracks from our "Mooged-Out: Asheville" CD are available here, and all proceeds from these downloads go to benefit the Bob Moog Foundation. This is an easy, affordable and fun way to support us! The music from this compilation CD is wonderfully varied – and each track offers its own unique Moog sound. Many thanks to our volunteer MySpace Coordinator Wheat Williams for making all of this possible, and to all of the Asheville musicians who have donated their tracks to the foundation. The Mooged-Out CD is available as a gift with a $25.00 donation made here.

Also available for download exclusively on our MySpace page is an original all-Moog composition by synth wizard extraordinaire and Moog enthusiast Erik Norlander. Erik's song "The Princely Hours" offers a stunning tribute to the Moog sound though it's driving beats, ethereal nuances and fantastic leads. Erik used five Moog instruments (and only these instruments!) in the making of this piece: his massive 1967 modular Moog, Minimoog Model D, Taurus pedals, Moog Rogue and Minmoog Voyager. This musical tribute is nothing short of a celebration of the Moog Legacy and an exposition of a stunningly talented musician who carries the torch for that legacy every time he gracefully, knowingly lays his fingers on a synth. Enjoy “The Princely Hours” and help the foundation out by purchasing it today. You can find out more about Erik and his massive modular Moog at www.eriknorlander.com.

Erik's composition also graces the home page of our website. We've made few updates to our website, and will continue to do so over the coming months. You can expect new content, photo galleries, music and announcements each time you visit. Be sure to check the new Letter from the Executive Director here.

Bob's life and work serve as a huge source of inspiration for us here at the foundation. We hope that you will pause today and reflect on how he lives on in your life.

The Bob Moog Foundation

Make Waves by donating to the Bob Moog Foundation"

Amin Bhatia VIRTUALITY

VIRTUALITY Video: Part 1 The Moog Legacy

YouTube via interstellarcrew

"The first of many podcasts to come features the Bob Moog legacy and talks about how Amin Bhatia came to dedicate the album to him. Interviewed guests include Steve Porcaro, Patrick Moraz, Michelle Moog-Koussa as well as producers, engineers and musicians from 'Virtuality'

The podcast series was written and directed by Saul Pincus with contributions from cinematographers and journalists all over the world. Special thanks to the crew at Full Sail University, as well as the Bob Moog Foundation and the offices of Steve Porcaro, Patrick Moraz, Bhatia Music and Splice Heist.

Please visit aminbhatia.com for more on the album and artist."
Be sure to check out the Behind the Scenes section of the site.

VIRTUALITY Video: Part 2 The Making of Bolero Electronica

Uploaded on Dec 21, 2008

"The second of many podcasts to come features The Making of Bolero Electronica and talks about the inspiration for using 75 years of synthesizers; the origins of the instruments; and the challenge of putting it all together, including footage of rare keyboards used at the esteemed Cantos Foundation. Along with composer Amin Bhatia are Interviewed guests including Roland founder Ikutaro Kakehashi, Steve Porcaro, Patrick Moraz, Michelle Moog-Koussa as well as producers, engineers and musicians from 'Virtuality.'"

VIRTUALITY Video: Part 3 Inside the Computer

Uploaded on May 20, 2009

"The third installment of the Virtuality podcasts explores the possibility of making videos using the album as underscore. With the help of Music Academy Online and Second Life we are shown one interpretation of the virtual world - one where people can travel into the album. Interviewed guests include Patrick Moraz, Steve Porcaro, Ari Posner, Michelle Moog-Koussa, and (SL) Benton Wunderlich as well as producers, engineers and musicians from 'Virtuality.' The podcast series was directed and edited by Saul Pincus and Mark Dwyer with contributions from cinematographers and journalists all over the world. Special thanks to the crew at Full Sail University, as well as the Bob Moog Foundation and the offices of Steve Porcaro, Patrick Moraz, Bhatia Music, Splice Heist and Second Life. Please visit aminbhatia.com for more on the album and artist."

Amin Bhatia - Virtuality - Update

I just received my copy of Virtuality by Amin Bhatia. You might remember the CD from this post. To my surprise, the liner notes in the CD includes a number of descriptive texts with images on the various synths used in the recording. Very, very cool. If you remember the previous post, the CD features a version of Bolero that is built upon classic synthesizers over time. If you appreciate synths, it doesn't get much better than this.
I added a link to the right of the site under the Bob Moog Foundation. Do check it out.

AMIN BHATIA DEDICATES NEW ALBUM TO BOB MOOG

"Film Composer / Synthesist Amin Bhatia announces the release of 'Virtuality', the long-awaited sequel to his synth orchestral epic 'The Interstellar Suite', on the anniversary of synthesizer pioneer Bob Moog's birthday, May 23 2008.

The album is dedicated to Moog, who was a friend of the composer and is endorsed by the Bob Moog Foundation. Michelle Moog-Koussa, Executive Director and daughter of the late Bob Moog says:

'My father's genius and passion was taking the synthesizer out of the laboratory and making synthesis accessible to musicians, and through them, to the world. Amin Bhatia’s 'Virtuality' is another fine example of that accessibility.'

True to Bhatia’s obsession with orchestral music and science fiction, the first half of the album explores the micro-universe that exists inside the computer. Titles like 'World Wide Web', 'Virus' and 'Second Life' portray aspects of our modern virtual world through music and sound design. Artwork was provided by the award winning digital artist Alexander Preuss.

The second half of the album features 'Bolero Electronica', a one-of-a-kind journey through 75 years of synthesizers through an innovative realization of Maurice Ravel’s 'Bolero'. In Bhatia’s version, instruments as early as the Ondes Martenot and Theremin begin the work, and the piece progresses through generations of synthesizers from Moog, Roland, Yamaha and others chronologically. The work builds in size and power decade by decade ending in present day virtual instruments and technologies. Guest artists include veteran keyboardists Steve Porcaro and Patrick Moraz. Many of the instruments used were from the Cantos Music Foundation. The album was recorded and mixed by award winning producers David Greene and Jeff Wolpert.

Bob Moog had been scheduled to provide a special feature narration track for “Bolero Electronica” but sadly that recording never happened. True to Bob’s mission to document, celebrate and teach innovative thinking, Amin instead employed noted synthesizer historian Mark Vail to create additional liner notes. The result is an illustrated guide which allows the listener to follow along stanza by stanza through Bhatia’s elaborate rendition, complete with a timeline chart of every synthesizer used.

'The Timeline of synthesizers in Bolero Electronica looks like the Moog Legacy to me and I only wish Dad were around to hear this project come to fruition', says Michelle. 'I think he would be delighted in the artistry Amin used to employ so many different instruments.'

Says Amin 'Electronic music to me is like animation. It’s a portrayal of reality through an innovative use of non-reality. When done right it creates beautifully animated images in the mind of the listener. And Bob was the greatest animator of them all.'

'Virtuality' will be released via CD and download on the anniversary of Bob Moog's birthday, May 23rd 2008. A portion of each sale will be donated to the Bob Moog Foundation."

My Notes:
I have been fortunate enough to listen to the CD in full. I have to say the experience of listening to "Bolero Electronica" while viewing the "Timeline of Synthesizers" is an extremely rare and satisfying treat. I literally could not stop smiling throughout the piece. I do not want to spoil this track for anyone, but let's just say there is nothing I have experienced quite like it. The intro delivers in a way that is simply beyond cool and it just keeps on giving. It is an absolutely brilliant composition for the synth enthusiast. Trust me, you will be able to appreciate this one like no one else. Be sure to click on the timeline image in this post.

If you know "Bolero," it is a piece that starts with just a few instruments and then builds with layered instruments into a triumphant finish. When you listen to "Bolero Electronica" and watch the timeline, you instantly make the connection and realize that this isn't just Bolero done with synths, but literally a redefinition of Bolero as the triumph of synthesizers over time. "Commercial synths" essentially began with MOOG, Buchla, EMS and eventually grew into the myriad of synths we have today. Click on the image in this post that looks like a track listing. That is the actual progression of the piece. When you listen to it, you can literally listen to the evolution of synthesizers over time. Utterly amazing. There are very few tracks that will go down as pivotal in the history of synths. I honestly believe this will be one of them considering what it conveys, the history it speaks. You simply have to hear it to experience it in full. You will find yourself going back to focus on different synths and sound evolution through time via synthesis. It is simply just brilliant.

You can find more info including clips and how to get this CD via The Bob MOOG Foundation.

Update 4/27/17:

The Making of The Interstellar Suite

Published on Apr 27, 2017 Amin Bhatia Composer

The Making of The Interstellar Suite
Directed and produced by Byron Kent Wong
Additional Interviews directed by Saul Pincus
This 18-minute featurette of Amin Bhatia's epic album The Interstellar Suite features interviews with noted artists and engineers:
Steve Porcaro, Patrick Moraz
Frank Morrone, James Porteous, David Greene and Mark Vail
Roland’s esteemed president, the late Ikutaro Kakehashi
The Carolina Crowns Drum Corps!
and many others…

This video is a bonus feature from the The Interstellar Suite Anniversary Limited Edition
Remixed by Frank Morrone from the original multi-tracks.
Under exclusive license from Capitol Records, Inc.
Publishing Bhatia Music Inc.
DVD & Blu-ray Dual Pack and Companion Guide Book available only until May 7, 2017 at http://aminbhatia.com/is25mayday/

Synth CDs

See the Synth CDs label for more.

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Amin Bhatia Virtuality
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