Synopsis

A surprise best-selling entry on the Billboard charts in 1968 was an LP titled Switched-On Bach. Of course, the 1960s were a kind of turned-on time in general, but the LP’s title didn’t refer to the sexual revolution or anything that Timothy Leary was advocating — no, this was just Johann Sebastian Bach performed on an electronic synthesizer, a Moog synthesizer to be precise, a maze of electronic circuits, wires, knobs and keyboards invited by Robert Arthur Moog, who enlisted several composers for help in its development as a musical instrument. One of them was Wendy Carlos, whose Switched-On Bach album helped put the Moog on the map.

On today’s date in 1971, it was a synthesized electronic theme that introduced a new program from NPR, All Things Considered. The original theme was created by Wisconsin composer Don Voegeli on a tiny Putney synthesizer, but in 1974, when Voegeli was asked to create a new, updated version of the ATC theme, he used the brand-new Moog synthesizer he had just purchased for his Madison studio, which was installed by Robert Moog — and took up an entire room.

For almost 10 years, Voegeli’s Moog version of the ATC theme was heard week-in, week out on public radio, until in 1983 the very familiar electronic theme was arranged for live studio musicians.

Music Played in Today's Program

J.S. Bach (1685-1750) arr. Carlos: Fugue No. 7, from WTC Book 1; Wendy Carlos, Moog synthesizer; Sony 7194

Don Voegeli (1920-2009): All Things Considered theme (1974 version); Don Voegeli, Moog synthesizer NPR recording