Hello -
I am Ricardo Odriozola, a past and present collaborator of Judge Smith and David Jackson.
Ever since David Jackson, the legendary Van der Graaf Generator saxophonist, gave me a MIDI recording of his 1989 song cycle Beam Machine *Star Messenger 2989* in 2002, it has been a dream to make a proper recording of it for posterity.
Beam Machine is a marvelous work in so many ways. As the creation of David Jackson, no fan of his or of the extended VdGG musical family should be without it.
Beam Machine is a work of transcendence on many levels. A work whose message, clothed in beautiful, affecting and memorable music, is as relevant and urgent now as it ever was, if not more.
The lyrics integrate many important concepts:
- Environmental awareness
- Space travel
- Human values
- Mathematics
- Science
- Astronomy
- Physics
- History
- Relativity
- Alienation
- The seasons
- War and peace
The general aesthetics of the music is Rock, but it covers many styles: Liturgical, Nursery Rhyme, English Pastoral and even Twelve-tone. The orchestration is delightful and full of wonderful details that often underline the text.
Beam Machine *Star Messenger 2989* is written for a large choir and symphony orchestra. Recording it is, therefore, costly, which is why I am appealing to David's and VdGG's worldwide fan base to contribute to making this recording a reality.
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The financial details.
Recording Beam Machine with a symphony orchestra and a choir will cost over 470.000 Norwegian kroner (roughly 47.000 US Dollars, 40.000 Euros, 35.000 British Pounds).
The expected goal of this fundraiser will pay for one day or recording with a Norwegian symphony orchestra (85.000 NOK) plus the expenses connected to the following:
- Producer
- Technician
- In-house technical assistance
- Choir
- Editing
- Mix, sound treatment
- Mastering
- Graphic design
- Booklet photo
- Performing rights fee
- CD print (1.000 copies)
- Digital distribution
- Executive producer
- Booklet editor
Here follows the complete list of expected expenses (in Norwegian kroner):
Producer 15.000
Technician 12.500
In-house technical assistance 53.700
Equipment handling 10.000
Symphony Orchestra (6 hours) 170.000
Extra musicians 24.000
Choir (including recording) 30.000
Editing 31.000
Mix, sound treatment 19.000
Mastering 7.500
Graphic design 9.000
Booklet photo 9.300
Performing rights fee 6.000
CD print (1.000 copies) 25.000
Marketing 18.000
Digital distribution 6.200
Executive producer 12.500
Booklet editor 12.500
TOTAL EXPENSES 471.200
Please, make the recording of this timeless masterpiece possible, and become the owner of a recording that you will treasure for life.
Exciting news about the project will come along the way. We will begin with some preliminary recordings with the extra musicians in December.
Best regards,
Ricardo