A Life In Waves

"A Life in Waves" is a compelling 2017 documentary that unearths the life and contributions of a pioneering figure in the world of electronic music, Suzanne Ciani. Directed by Brett Whitcomb, this piece artfully combines interviews, archive footage, and music to explore the impact of Ciani's career. The film features appearances from Peter Baumann, former member of the influential electronic music group Tangerine Dream, legendary American synthesizer designer and contemporary of Ciani, Don Buchla, and Dorit Chrysler, a composer and electronic music pioneer in her own right.

The movie delves into Ciani's rise as a trailblazer in the still largely unexplored realm of electronic music in the 70s and 80s. Featuring a range of interviews with various acquaintances, friends, and collaborators from throughout her life, the film provides a thorough and insightful view of a woman who dared to venture into a domain largely dominated by men. Audiences get to understand the challenges and persistence it took Ciani to break into the more commercial aspects of electronic sound design.

The narrative is centered on Suzanne Ciani's journey, which is closely tied to the history of electronic music itself. It's both an artist's tale and an exploration of an art form from its nascent stage to present day. Hence, Ciani's life story is inseparable from the larger story that the film tells about the development of electronic music and sound design.

The documentary opens with archival footage of Suzanne Ciani's early explorations with analog synthesizers, primarily her work with the Buchla, a synthesizer that was notoriously complicated but groundbreaking in its time. These early sequences demonstrate the magic and wonder that came along with the new technological possibilities of these instruments and the burgeoning field of electronic sound.

As the film progresses, we are given a broader view of Ciani's career, her ventures beyond the realm of purely musical compositions and into commercial sound design. This includes her stylized sound effects for various popular video games, television commercials, and enormous companies like Atari and Coca Cola. Her work solidified her not just as a creative artist, but also a savvy entrepreneur in the realm of sonic branding.

In line with Ciani's pioneering spirit, director Brett Whitcomb takes a non-traditional approach to his subject. Rather than solely focusing on her professional accomplishments, he acknowledges her personal journey with equal care. Themes of feminism, passion, innovation, resilience, and creative exploration weave throughout the narrative, painting a vivid portrait of Ciani as not just a revered musician and sound designer, but also a bold woman who was unafraid to forge her own path in both creative and entrepreneurial endeavors.

"A Life in Waves" manages to equally appease die-hard Suzanne Ciani fans and those new to her work. It offers a fascinating and multi-faceted look at Ciani's life and career, while also succinctly capturing the broader landscape of the rapidly evolving field of electronic music.

The film's intimate conversations offer penetrating insights into Ciani's creativity and the film's evocative, lyrical visuals reflect the aesthetic of the vibrant electronic soundscapes she crafted. The tributes from other influential figures in the field, like Peter Baumann and Dorit Chrysler, emphasize and affirm her remarkable impact on electronic music. Don Buchla's presence thickens the narrative by introducing an element of realism regarding the complexities and intricacies of early electronic music instruments.

“A Life In Waves” therefore succeeds in being more than just an homage to a significant artist; it's a meditative exploration of electronic music's past, present, and future. As a narrative, it's inspiring and moving; as a work of film, it's meticulously crafted and aesthetically pleasing. The documentary depicts how Suzanne Ciani's life intertwined with the waves of the ever-evolving world of electronic music - from her early experiments with the Buchla synthesizer to her award-winning work in commercial sound design - leaving no doubt about her indelible imprint on the soundscape of the 20th century.

In the end, "A Life In Waves” takes you on a sonically rich journey, unwrapping the life and career of an often-underappreciated musical genius, all the while laying bare the joys and challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated field. It's an enlightening watch for both fans of Suzanne Ciani and lovers of electronic music in general.