In August of 1951, BBC reporters travelled to the University of Manchester and captured what is now believed to be the earliest recording of computer generated music. The performer featured was a Ferranti Mark 1 computer –
During the session, the temperamental machine managed to work its way through Baa Baa Black Sheep, God Save the King and part of In the Mood.
Following one aborted attempt, a laughing presenter says: “The machine’s obviously not in the mood.”
Beyond the charming human incedintals, the machine’s voice is surprisingly pleasant – starting out sounding like a slightly uptight bassoon. Time to start on that commemorative Fentari sound-a-like synth. Listen to the recording – ‘Oldest’ computer music unveiled
4 thoughts on “Oldest known computer music”
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When i worked at a publishing house just outside of Manchester, we published the complete history of Ferranti… a top company for making things in general.
this was one of my favourite pieces of trivia, though I didn’t get to hear it at the time.
It sounds pretty good.
He should have said “…not in the moog.” ;).