Today we’re listening to and remembering William Orbit, an English keyboardist and producer from London. We’ve recommended his music twice before. Born in 1956, he got into music production after dropping out of high school, forming the electronic band Torch Song and remixing artists like Depeche Mode and Madonna.1 In the ‘90s he made solo music and more remixes, and later in the decade was enlisted by Madonna to produce her 1998 album, Ray of Light.2 In 2000, he released Pieces in a Modern Style, renditions of classical pieces on synthesizers, reminiscent of Wendy Carlos and Patrick Gleeson. We’re also playing Pieces in a Modern Style Vol. 2, the 2010 followup which reimagines pieces by Bach, Saint-Saëns, Grieg, and more. Orbit passed away in July.
Pieces in a Modern Style - William Orbit (60m, no vocals)
Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube Music / Amazon Music / Tidal
Pieces in a Modern Style Vol. 2 - William Orbit (130m, non-lyrical vocals on a couple tracks)
Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube Music / Amazon Music / Tidal
We wish you a great start to your week.
I didn't realise we had lost him. It's only when people like this are gone, you start to understand their legacy.