April 14 - Morton Subotnik (The Musical Birthday Series)

Morton Subotnik (b. 14 April 1933) is one of the pioneers in using electronic sounds in composition and live performance.

Drug Culture

Morton Subotnik’s one big hit,

Silver Apples of the Moon,

(Nonesuch had commissioned it),

Didn’t have a beat or tune.

Even Nonesuch didn't guess

A record with no tune or beat

Could have a popular success

With average listeners on the street.

The explanation for the buzz

Isn’t hermeneutical.

In the Sixties listening was

Uniquely pharmaceutical.