Band Biographies

Sesselberg is a project really innovative that since its inception in 1970 has anticipated the explosion of the use of Synth, in fact the two brothers Wolf-J and Eckhart Sesselberg (from which the band takes its name) gave the start in Germany to the experimentation with the modular synth and electronic instrumentation in general.

Wolf-J had worked as assistant at the Hamburg Deutsches Schauspielhaus where in 1960, while he was experimenting new electronic sounds for the Opera “Aniara”, under the influence of Swedish composer Karl-Birger Blomdah, kindled his passion for future professional works in terms of films, experimental music and painting. Unlike his brother who became acquainted with the electronic music field professionally, Eckhart came up to it at 11 years making experiments with a walkie-talkies (encouraged by his older brother). The result was a precursor of what would become a synthesizer (!), completed in 1970 and of which we can fortunately appreciate its sound in the album “Synthetik 1”. 

The real special thing, in addition to their special approaches to electronic music, is the absolute lack of traditional synths characteristics such as memory, in fact the sounds were set via one of many knobs and spontaneously generated. Their performances often took place in art galleries or Modern Art museums, where besides their sounds they also offered seminars to instruct the public into the art of synthesizer sounds. So the public consisted of lovers of the sounds, Academy students, gallery owners and some curious that could be considered very exclusive, and after all this was the same public of firsts Kraftwerk or Conrad Schnitzler or even Cluster.

Were released only 1000 copies of the album often bought at the end of the performances, so there’s no wonder if his music has been so hidden.

Their only one self-released Opera “Synthetik 1” contains some performances, fortunately recorded, between 1971 and 1973 of adventurous synths far from musical canons and totally devoted to experimentation. Unfortunately the album is often underrated and it needs a more attention for its comprehension, however it represents an innovative obscure kraut / Electronic Work worthy to be appreciated.