Düsseldorf School (Krautrock)
Encyclopedia
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
.
and Kraftwerk 2
are very experimental, with hard drumming, electronic violin and manipulated, electronic flute.
and The Man Machine, defining the genre. Tracks like The Robots and Home Computer
broke away from any earlier electronic music development.
and a Live DVD
.
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
in the 1970s, shaped by Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf is the capital city of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and centre of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region.Düsseldorf is an important international business and financial centre and renowned for its fashion and trade fairs. Located centrally within the European Megalopolis, the...
-based artists like Kraftwerk
Kraftwerk
Kraftwerk is an influential electronic music band from Düsseldorf, Germany. The group was formed by Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider in 1970, and was fronted by them until Schneider's departure in 2008...
, Cluster
Cluster (band)
Cluster is a German experimental musical group who influenced the development of contemporary popular electronic and ambient music. They have recorded albums in a wide variety of styles ranging from experimental music to progressive rock, all of which had an avant-garde edge. Cluster has been...
, Can
Can (band)
Can was an experimental rock band formed in Cologne, West Germany in 1968. Later labeled as one of the first "krautrock" groups, they transcended mainstream influences and incorporated strong minimalist and world music elements into their often psychedelic music.Can constructed their music largely...
and Neu!
Neu!
Neu! was a German band formed by Klaus Dinger and Michael Rother after their split from Kraftwerk in the early 1970s...
. 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
Berlin School of electronic music
The Berlin School of electronic music, or just Berlin School, was a development of electronic music in the 1970s, shaped by Berlin-based artists like Klaus Schulze, Tangerine Dream and Ashra....
.
Early works
The early works of Kraftwerk and Can are very different from the later, more successful period. Albums like KraftwerkKraftwerk
Kraftwerk is an influential electronic music band from Düsseldorf, Germany. The group was formed by Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider in 1970, and was fronted by them until Schneider's departure in 2008...
and Kraftwerk 2
Kraftwerk 2
Kraftwerk 2 is the second studio album by German electronic band Kraftwerk, released in January 1972.-Background:Kraftwerk 2 was entirely written and performed by founding Kraftwerk members Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider in late 1971, with the sessions produced by the influential Konrad "Conny"...
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 AutobahnAutobahn (album)
Autobahn is the fourth studio album by German electronic band Kraftwerk, released in November 1974. The 22-minute title track "Autobahn" was edited to about 3 minutes for single release and reached number 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, and performed even higher around Europe, including...
and The Man Machine, defining the genre. Tracks like The Robots and Home Computer
Computer World
Computer World is the eighth studio album by the German electronic music band Kraftwerk, released in May 1981. The album deals with the themes of the rise of computers within society. Critics see this album as a peak in the career of Kraftwerk, along with Autobahn and Trans-Europe Express...
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 2003, Tour de France SoundtracksTour de France Soundtracks
Note: The 2003 Japanese CD release of this album also contains the video of the single "Tour de France 2003" as enhanced content.-Promotional version:...
and a Live DVD
Minimum-Maximum
Minimum-Maximum is the first official live album release by Kraftwerk, released in June 2005, almost 35 years after the group gave their first live performance...
.