Exploring Avant-Garde & Experimental Music on Vinyl

Feb 27

Are you ready for something different? Many of us get tired of the same old music routine. While I love the classics from my youth—Pink Floyd, The Beatles, The Eagles, and so on—there’s only so much I can listen to them on repeat. That’s what led me to explore jazz and classical music, and eventually, I ventured into avant-garde and experimental music. This genre has been one of the most rewarding musical journeys for me.

Today, on a last-minute whim, I decided to pull together a stack of avant-garde and experimental records to share with you. I don’t have extensive background details on each, but I’ll highlight the sonic qualities and their importance. Let’s dive into about 20 albums that deserve your attention.

Laurie Anderson – Big Science & United States Live

Laurie Anderson is a pioneering artist whose work blends spoken word, electronic music, and performance art. I first encountered her in Boston, where she performed at the Institute of Contemporary Art with just her prepared violin and vocoder—minimalist yet mesmerizing. Big Science is a great entry point, featuring the unexpected hit “O Superman.” I also recommend United States Live, a comprehensive document of her magnum opus, recorded at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

Steve Reich – Music for 18 Musicians & Octet/Music for Large Ensemble

Steve Reich is often labeled a minimalist, but his compositions transcend that category. His works involve interlocking musical patterns that weave together into a rich tapestry of sound. Music for 18 Musicians is a hypnotic experience, and Octet/Music for Large Ensemble is another fantastic example of his intricate rhythmic structures. Both records, originally released on ECM, are sonically excellent.

Pierre Henry – Cohabitation, Music Without Title, & Spatiodynamisme

Pierre Henry was a pioneer of musique concrète, manipulating tape recordings to create entirely new sonic landscapes. These three reissues on the Doxy label offer historical insights into his groundbreaking work. Be prepared for raw, primitive recordings that may challenge conventional listening experiences but are historically significant nonetheless.

Karlheinz Stockhausen – Electronic Music: Song of the Youths & Kontakte

Stockhausen was a visionary in electronic music, and this Deutsche Grammophon release is an essential starting point. Song of the Youths combines electronic tones with vocal samples, creating a haunting, immersive experience. This original Tulip label pressing is a must-have for any avant-garde collection.

Philip Glass – Einstein on the Beach & Glassworks

I had the opportunity to see the Philip Glass Ensemble perform, and his music left a lasting impression. Einstein on the Beach is an opera unlike any other, built on repetitive structures and mesmerizing vocal patterns. For an easier entry point, Glassworks is an accessible introduction to his style, along with soundtracks like Koyaanisqatsi.

John Cage – Sonatas and Interludes for Prepared Piano & Concert Percussion

John Cage revolutionized music with his experimental approaches. Sonatas and Interludes features a prepared piano, where objects like screws and bolts alter the instrument’s sound, creating a percussive, otherworldly effect. Concert Percussion on Time Records features Cage’s compositions performed by the Manhattan Percussion Ensemble, a fantastic listen for fans of experimental percussion.

Edgar Varèse – Ionisation & Other Works

Edgar Varèse’s Ionisation is one of the earliest compositions focusing purely on percussion. This Columbia Masterworks release, conducted by Robert Craft, showcases the powerful and radical soundscapes Varèse pioneered. The sonic depth of this recording is exceptional.

Carlos Chávez – Toccata for Percussion Instruments

This luxurious Gale Records box set features Chávez’s famous Toccata for Percussion. Known for its dynamic range and rhythmic complexity, this high-fidelity release is a standout among percussion recordings.

Nonesuch Avant-Garde Series – Percussion Music, Charles Wuorinen: Percussion Symphony, & George Crumb: Makrokosmos

Nonesuch Records, under the guidance of Teresa Sterne, produced an outstanding series of avant-garde releases. These records, featuring works by Varèse, Wuorinen, and Crumb, are beautifully recorded and pressed. Robert Ludwig’s mastering ensures exceptional sound quality. Percussion Music includes Varèse’s Ionisation, while Makrokosmos explores the amplified piano in stunning ways.

For more commentary on the other records in this collection, including the fantasic Harry Partch - Delusion of the Fury, please click on the video link.

Final Thoughts

Avant-garde and experimental music may not be for everyone, but if you’re looking to break away from the usual and challenge your ears, these records are an excellent place to start. Many of these are also audiophile-grade pressings, making them as much a joy to listen to as they are intellectually engaging.

Scott Wilson