Monday, September 15, 2014

Celebrating a little Raymond Scott because it's September and I like classic science fiction

September is Raymond Scott's birth month. Born Harry Warnow on September 10, 1908, many of you have probably never heard of him. However, you should especially if you consider yourself a science fiction fan. Aside from composing music that was featured in many cartoons over the years, he created the electronium, which is an instrument that combined an electronic synthesizer with algorithmic composition. It would have happened during the 1950's and is the kind of music you hear on science fiction movies of the time ("Forbidden Planet" being one example). So yeah, the next time you watch an old science fiction movie and hear those eerie sounding notes that sound like electronic blips and long drawn out whines...raise a glass to Raymond Scott, the genius behind the tune.

13 comments:

  1. I've certainly heard of him, but most people were probably exposed to Scott while watching MST3K...

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  2. Never heard of him. But of course we all know that eerie sci-fi music.

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  3. He also created ambient music for babies. But it didn't put them to sleep. It made them want to get up and climb stuff.

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  4. Thanks for bringing to my attention someone fascinating who I've never heard of.

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  5. Oh fascinating, Michael… who knew? I love posts that highlight people who don't get the praise or attention they should… Love talent!

    Though I have to tell you, that picture of him is a little creepy to me… like, imagine eerie sci-fi music playing while looking at that pic… yeah…

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  6. I've heard the music, but I did not know his name. Shame on me.

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  7. I love all that classic scifi stuff. Thanks for sharing.

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  8. I'm glad to learn that the eerie scifi music in those old movies actually came from an instrument inventor, not just the usual studio orchestra messing around. No I'm going to go look up the electronium.

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  9. Oh my gosh! I was just watching The Day the Earth Stood Still with my family and we were remarking how the sounds and music really gets you into the movie. Thanks for the post!
    Edge of Your Seat Stories

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  10. It didn't sound science fiction-like in the beginning, but then I got it.

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  11. Thanks for such an educational post.
    I did not know anything about this gentlemen. Now I can share this with my grand kids or even my adult kids. They all love Science fiction.

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