Expressions of Emotion—Words with Peter Baumann

For electronic music fans, primarily what is often categorized as “Berlin School,” Peter Baumann needs little introduction. From 1971 to 1977, side-by-side with Christopher Franke and Edgar Froese, he was part of what many consider to be “The” classic lineup of Tangerine Dream. The trio released a string of genre-defying and genre-defining albums including Zeit, Atem, Phaedra, Rubycon, Stratosfear and more.

Peter continued to release nine albums under his own name and in collaboration with former Tangerine Dream member Paul Haslinger. From 1984 to 1996, Peter founded and operated the record label Private Music, releasing music by Yanni, Suzanne Ciani, Andy Summers, Patrick O’Hearn, Leo Kottke, and even Tangerine Dream.

His latest release is Nightfall, and I was blessed to sit down with Peter for a deep dive into his history and music-making process then and now.