Will Gregory: My Favourite Synthesizers
Composer, producer and one half of Goldfrapp, electronic musician Will Gregory has an amazing collection of modern and vintage synthesizers, including the ultra-rare Korg PS-3300 polysynth. In our latest video feature, Will opens up about the instruments that mean the most to him — and shows us how great they can sound in the right hands. Did you know you could play a Minimoog using a Yamaha WX7 Wind Controller?
Back to the future: I'm in the Moog again
Why is Will Gregory rooting around in skips for 70s analogue monosynths? Because, for electronic musicians, they revive the expressive thrill of performance.
Archimedes Screw: Minimoog Model D Collaboration
In collaboration with Moog Music, the Will Gregory Moog Ensemble perform ‘Archimedes Screw’, a live performance with each member using their own Model D to add layers of sound to the composition as it builds. The piece demonstrates the Model D’s timeless sound, playability, and relevance as a powerful musical tool for live performance.
Read more about the performance here.
ACO: A Clockwork Orange and Beyond
Back in May 2023, Will Gregory, Dan Moore, Hazel Mills and Simon Haram teamed up with the ACO to perform music by Wendy Carlos, Vangelis, John Williams and more. Exploring the innovations that shaped a generation of trailblazing composers and their film scores.
Read more about how Will has been inspired by these film composers in an interview with ACO here.
British Library: Late at the Library Performance
British Library: Saturday 23rd April, 7.30pm
The Will Gregory Moog Ensemble will be performing at the British Library in a special show to accompany the Library’s exhibition Beethoven: Idealist. Innovator. Icon and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Wendy Carlos’s remarkable score for A Clockwork Orange.
‘Lush electronica’ Buzz Mag Review
“If he [Archimedes] was around today and witnessed this performance, it could safely be assumed he would agree that Gregory et al have made a damn fine attempt to square the circle.”
“The polyrhythms and time signatures weaved in and out while the layers of harmonics danced around the room. An almost symbiotic relationship now permeated our time and space. It was commanding when it needed to be, but delicate and subtle in places often transitioning through the intervention of presenter Helen Arney.”
BBC National Orchestra of Wales: Sold Out!
Thank you to everyone who came to our show with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales on Friday
Stay posted for more pictures and news!
Photo by John Morgan
Friday 26th November: BBC NOW & Helen Arney
BBC Hoddinott Hall, Cardiff, Friday 26th November, 7.30pm
Fusing electronic and orchestral music with Archimedes’ principles, join the Will Gregory Moog Ensemble, Helen Arney and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales for a scintillating night of music.
Speaking ahead of the concert, Will Gregory said:
“Firstly this is the first time we’ve performed together in two years, so it’s a joy to be back as an ensemble. Secondly this will be a massive experiment to see what happens when you put 10 analogue synths into a full orchestra. Over the 9 pieces we will play there are a full range of different combinations between the Moogs and The BBC National Orchestra Of Wales exploring all kinds of permutations between us, from Synth bass with bass trombones and tuba, to wild hi Si Fi lines with the violins.
The synths have a larger range of high to lows than any orchestral instrument, so one test is to see what happens with this combined sonic spectrum. But also the sheer energy and excitement that comes from adding us together to produce more than the sum of the parts will be what we are hoping to achieve. Plus we are combining science and music in a new and experimental way too, by having Helen Arney explaining nine of Archimedes greatest achievements each followed by a kind of audio description in music to bring home the drama and brilliance of his thinking.”
Writer, science presenter, geek songstress and ‘Voice of an Angle’ Helen Arney steps to the fore to present this unique event. A familiar face to many, she has appeared on TV, Radio and in theatres across the world with her unique mix of stand-up, songs and science, plus tours with science comedy phenomenon Festival of the Spoken Nerd.
This concert is the perfect evening for those who enjoy listening to the most iconic synthesiser, and hearing about one of the world’s greatest mathematicians!
Rehearsals Have Begun
The Will Gregory Moog Ensemble are back together and rehearsing ahead of their concert with BBC NOW and Helen Arney on Friday 26th November.