Wendy Carlos Interview and Video

Posted by Michael Buell Jr Apr 14, 2007

Wendy Carlos, in addition to creating the scores for classic films like A Clockwork Orange and Tron, created the first platinum selling classical record, Switched-on Bach, which also happened to introduce the synthesizer to a national audience. Matrixsynth points to an interview with the synth pioneer on NewMusicBox where she speaks on many subjects including advances in synthesizer technology, music composition, reaction to her work, and more. The interviewer describes Carlos as "completely down to earth" and I can't think of a more appropriate description. I didn't notice it at first, but the interview transcript goes on for several pages, far longer than the clips in the video at the top of the page. The same topics (and more) are covered in depth.

And in case that isn't enough information, you can check out The Official Wendy Carlos Website which has a compilation of interviews, a FAQ page, and a letters page where she answers visitor's questions. She also has resources for musicians, including MIDI files of some of her performances for study or arrangement. And in case she wasn't amazing enough, her page talks about her interests in map-making and studying eclipses.