PERGAMON - LIVE AT THE 'PALAST DER REPUBLIK' GDR

"Pergamon" is the 1986 Virgin re-release of the East-Berlin concerts compilation "Quichotte", initally recorded in 1980. Performances took place near the Pergamon museum, while pictures of a movie relating Cervantes' Don Quichotte story was projected in the background. These concerts were the first given by a western band at East-Berlin. As TANGERINE DREAM was mainly instrumental, their music did not contain sung lyrics that could carry ideologies. As a consequence, they were was one of the few western musicans allowed to play behind the iron curtain.

As usual with their lives, the material differ from the studio releases. However, and from now on, some common passages can be found. For me, this concert is good but a bit overrated.

"Quichotte Part 1" opens with a intriguing, spooky piano melody. It then curiously alternates with more joyful passages. The second half is mainly the sequence of the middle section of "Tangram Part 2", with some arrangements. This clearly was a preparation for the album version. The overall is nice although a bit repetive.

"Quichotte Part 2" features completely new material and is much more rock-oriented. The track begins with a mysterious, ambient atmosphere. Its middle section consists mostly in a long Froese guitar improvisation over an electronic sequence. The guitar play is quite inspired and enraged, but again the composition itself has not many melodic changes. The finale is average. I would have liked to see the unreleased "Quichotte Part 3" featured here. This track is a reprise of the sequence of "Quichotte Part 2", but faster, in a more tenser tone.

First and successful debut performance for Johannes Schmoelling. Although it certainly shows very interesting promises and ambiances, at the same period, I prefer the studio album "Tangram" for more variations and musicality.