Will Gregory's Moog Ensemble Performance

Will Gregory - one half of the Synth/Pop/Art duo Goldfrapp also has a sideline with an ensemble of monosynths, performing various classical and contemporary works. Gregory was recently interviewed by The Quietus as part of a piece on the influence of the Mini Moog (worth a read), the Moog Ensemble are are a nine strong collection of great players.

They first performed at Bath Music Festival in 2005, playing a selection of Wendy Carlos' Switched On Bach arrangements - it was awesome,  I was there.

Long-time collaborator and Portishead member Adrian Utley is a member as well as resepected composer Simon Clark - keyboards for Bill Nelson , David Bowie and many others. The full line up is a star studded cast of extremely accomplished musicians and composers:

• Will Gregory
• Adrian Utley
• Graham Fitkin
• Ruth Wall
• Hazel Mills
• Vyv Hope-Scott
• Simon Haram
• Pete Rosser
• Ross Hughes
• Eddie Parker
• Simon Clark

In this performance filmed at a recent rehearsal for BBC Maida Vale recording session and Brighton performances, the group are playing "English Country Dance" an excerpt from "The Service Of Tim Henman" a composition by Will Gregory which in full, is set to an extreme slow mo film of ex British no1 tennis player Tim Henman's serve.

At the same rehearsal, we also heard Bach's Brandenburg Concerto 3rd Movement , part of the Switched On repertoire - which was awesome!

The ensemble also perform their own compositions - with the line up they have, there's plenty of new material for them to choose from.

Not featured here, but in the other pieces, Will Gregory and Simon Haram use wind controllers from Akai and Yamaha (both being very talented saxophonists) to add more expression and dynamics to their playing for the classical pieces.

Instruments featured:

• Mini Moog
• Polivoks
• Roland SH-09
• Macbeth MicroMac
• Korg MS20
• Arturia MiniBrute
• Club Of The Knobs 2P

We also have an interview with Will Gregory coming up soon.

More Information

• WGMoogs.co.uk

• Will Gregory Moog Ensemble Debut Album Out Now On Mute 06-Jun-24
• Will Gregory's Moog Ensemble - Interview 11-Aug-14