I imagine you don’t see many posts on the work of septuagenarians on this site so I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce one of the great pioneers of modern ambient music. Still active and prolific, Hans-Joachim Roedelius as a solo artist, and along with Dieter Moebius as the duo Cluster, produced a pastoral and introspective music of quiet intensity and exquisite beauty which simply improves with repeated plays. I should know, I’ve been listening to this, repeatedly, for over thirty years. Please try this track Zum Wohl from the Cluster album Sowiesoso.
Being by nature a sceptic rather than a believer, I didn’t ever really develop the mentality of a true fan until about a year ago when I dropped my guard one evening. After a couple of glasses of wine I sent off my first ever fan-letter, in the form of an email, to the German composer. The next morning I found, to my happy surprise, his touching response. It made me realise for the first time it’s really good to acknowledge your influences, both direct and indirect.