Oramics
(Paradigm Discs) 2xCD $19.50 (Out-of-stock)
Oram is best known for her design of the Oramics system, and for co-founding the BBC Radiophonic Workshop in 1957, but until now the only easily available piece of music by her on CD has been the eight-minute “Four Aspects.” There was also a 7-inch EP from 1962 on HMV, released as part of the Listen, Move and Dance series specifically designed to help children dance. Oramics is the first survey of nearly all the major pieces she produced since her departure from the BBC in January 1959 until her final tape piece in 1977. The two and a half hours of music here cover the whole range of Oram’s post -BBC output. Everything is electronic with occasional use of real instruments, especially small percussion and piano frame, and a bit of musique concrète techniques. The works fall roughly into the following categories: works for TV and cinema advertising; film soundtracks; music for theatre productions, installations and exhibitions; concert pieces; and studio experiments. There are also a few short pieces that resulted from an experimental music course given by Oram at a high school in Yorkshire in 1967.