5 to 10 favourite compositions featuring synthesiser

[ComposerOfAvantGarde]

What are yours? I'm thinking more like synthesiser centric works (like Oktophonie), or large segments of works that include a lot of sound synthesis.

I haven't explored this area of composition a whole lot, so I'm going to explore what your favourites are before I come up with my own list.

EDIT: at the moment I am looking particularly to expand my knowledge of works without the use of acoustic instruments or live electronics, but I am still happy to check some new things out in that area.

[arpeggio]

Olivier Messiaen did a bunch.

There have also been some great movie sound tracks like The Day the Earth Stood Still, Forbidden Planet and Spellbound.  There is nice YouTube of the Spellbound Concerto: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZrhc313-ts

Karl-Birger Blomdahl's Opera Aniara employs electronics.

Varese's Poème électronique and Déserts.

There are few band works I am familiar with like Herbert Bielawa's  Spectrum.  I found this YouTube of it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tp5vBXCjvgw

[ComposerOfAvantGarde]

Thanks, arpeggio! I've heard of Aniara; I should check it out.

[Mahlerian]

Babbitt: Correspondences, Philomel, Reflections
Boulez: Repons
Chin: Xi (well, it's really electroacoustic, not featuring a synthesizer, but it's a great piece anyway)
Saariaho: Io
Stockhausen: Gesang der Junglinge

[arpeggio]

Babbitt: Correspondences, Philomel, Reflections
Boulez: Repons
Chin: Xi (well, it's really electroacoustic, not featuring a synthesizer, but it's a great piece anyway)
Saariaho: Io
Stockhausen: Gesang der Junglinge

How could I forget Saariaho 

While I was typing my post I was listening to a new CD I just got with the music of her.  There were two works on it that employed electronics: Vent nocturne for viola and electronics and Nymphéa for string quartet and live electronics.  Check out my post in the "Purchases Today" thread: http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,21529.msg1065284.html#msg1065284

[ritter]

Thanks, arpeggio! I've heard of Aniara; I should check it out.

You definitely should, jessop! A fascinating piece...

TD:

Pierre Boulez: Répons
Kaija Saariaho: Lonh
Jonathan Harvey: Speakings
York Höller: Sphären
Luigi Nono: Io, frammento dal Prometeo
Cristóbal Halffter: Planto por las víctimas de la violencia