Düsseldorf School (Krautrock)

The Düsseldorf School of electronic music, or just Düsseldorf School, was a development of electronic music in the 1970s, shaped by Düsseldorf-based artists like Kraftwerk, Cluster, Can and Neu!. The style is characterized by synthesizer melodies and rhythmic bass lines and prominent drums. Most works were instrumental, vocals were used sparingly. The term is commonly used in opposition to the simultaneous movement known as Berlin School of electronic music.

Early works

The early works of Kraftwerk and Can are very different from the later, more successful period. Albums like Kraftwerk and Kraftwerk 2 are very experimental, with hard drumming, electronic violin and manipulated, electronic flute.

Main Period

Major albums, which made this style very known, are Kraftwerk's Autobahn and The Man Machine, defining the genre. Tracks like The Robots and Home Computer broke away from any earlier electronic music development.

Contemporary Düsseldorf School

Of the original bands, Kraftwerk is the only remaining, being still very active with several world tours, an album with completely new tracks in 2005, "Tour de France Soundtracks" and a Live DVD showing the spectacular show.

External links

* [http://www.pugachov.ru/eem/ Encyclopedia of Electronic Music]
* [http://www.kraftwerk.com/ Kraftwerk]

References