A Clockwork Orange

Wendy Carlos Year: 1972

Original Synth: Moog Modular CM Plugin: Thorn CM 40

Created back when synth use was more associated with scientists in lab coats, the A Clockwork Orange theme was certainly ahead of its time. Creator Wendy Carlos was not only a classically-trained composer, but also took a keen interest in music tech, notably giving Robert Moog advice on the development of the first Moog synthesisers, as well as working as a recording engineer during the late 1960s.

Her take on a classical piece (originally composed by Henry Purcell for Queen Mary’s funeral in 1694) used the then-cutting-edge Moog modular synthesiser to play the various parts of the piece, resulting in a uniquely dystopian piece of music that suited the film perfectly. Legend has it that Carlos read the book that the film was based upon before linking up with Kubrick, and felt she’d be perfect to score the film, with the composition Timesteps being based upon it. Now, we’re going to make our own version of the legendary brasssounding riff from the theme, using ThornCM.