Robert Rich

An innovator of Ambient music, Robert Rich became famous for his all-night "sleep concerts" in which he explored new directions in ambient sound through a combination of acoustic and electronic instruments. In contrast to the naive utopian bliss-music of the new age and Ambient mainstream, Rich's static, cavernous dronescapes take listeners on complex and often dark inward journeys that frequently evoke stark, windswept landscapes. Gongs ring out and reverberate over vast stretches of time, accompanied by subharmonic thuds and echoing, bird-like cries from ancient reed instruments and heavily treated guitars, as percussion clatters and clangs softly in the background. His pieces build gradually to thunderous, overwhelming climaxes. Rich's influences span the globe, from Moroccan trance music to Japanese bamboo flute. Whether being treated as a jumping-off point for meditation, or simply listened to for their innovative sound textures, the slow, measured pace of Rich's compositions offer a unique experience of time, which stands in sharp contrast to the pace of contemporary urban life.