VANGELIS beaubourg PL25155
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Artist = VANGELIS
Title = beaubourg
Label = RCA
Catalog# = PL25155
Barcode = none
Release = UK
Year = 1978
RPM = 33rpm
Disc Size = 12"
Number of Discs = 1
Mono/Stereo = stereo
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The Experimental Soundscapes of a Master: Vangelis’s “Beaubourg”
The vast and celebrated discography of Greek electronic music pioneer Vangelis is known for its soaring melodies and grand, symphonic themes. However, within that body of work lie fascinating and challenging excursions into more experimental territory. A prime example is his 1978 album, “Beaubourg,” presented here on the RCA label with the catalog number PL25155.
Released after his move to Polydor Records, “Beaubourg” stands as one of the most avant-garde and uncompromising albums in Vangelis’s entire catalog. Named after the Parisian district that houses the Pompidou Centre, a hub of modern art, the album is itself a piece of abstract sonic art. It is a departure from the more structured and melodic works like “Albedo 0.39” that preceded it.
The album consists of two long, continuous pieces of music, one on each side of the vinyl. The soundscape is dense and often chaotic, a swirling collage of synthesized textures, metallic noises, and atonal electronic explorations. Vangelis uses his array of synthesizers not to create conventional melodies or rhythms, but to paint a complex, challenging, and sometimes dissonant sonic picture. It is an immersive listening experience that demands the listener’s full attention.
“Beaubourg” is often seen as Vangelis’s most difficult work, a bold and artistic statement that showcases his deep mastery of his instruments and his willingness to push the boundaries of electronic music. It is a powerful and fascinating journey into the more experimental side of a legendary composer.
For admirers of avant-garde electronic music, drone, and the more experimental works of the 1970s, “Beaubourg” is an essential and rewarding listen. It’s a chance to hear a master musician completely untethered from commercial expectations, creating sound for its own sake. You can find this intriguing album in our store or on our website.