Dick Raaijmakers, also known as Kid Baltan, was a Dutch composer, theater maker, and theorist who played a significant role in the development of electronic music and experimental art. Born on September 1, 1930, in Maastricht, the Netherlands, Raaijmakers’ contributions to music extend far beyond conventional genres. He began his career in the 1950s at Philips Research Laboratories in Eindhoven, where he worked alongside Tom Dissevelt and explored the potential of electronic sounds. This was a time when electronic music was in its infancy, and innovators like Raaijmakers were pivotal in shaping its trajectory.

Throughout his prolific career, Raaijmakers continued to push boundaries, blending music with performance art, theater, and educational theory. His influential works include “Pianoforte,” where he dissects the mechanics and sonority of the piano, turning it into an avant-garde exploration of sound and form. “The Complete Tape Music Of Dick Raaijmakers” is an extensive collection that encapsulates his innovative approach to musique concrète, where he meticulously manipulated tape recordings to create new, groundbreaking textures and patterns. Moreover, his early works were featured in “Popular Electronics: Early Dutch Electronic Music 1956-1963,” highlighting his central role in the foundation of the electronic music movement in the Netherlands. Raaijmakers’ legacy lives on through his myriad compositions and writings, which continue to inspire musicians and academics interested in the crossroads of art, technology, and sound.

Genres

Acousmatic

Dutch Contemporary Classical

Dutch Experimental

Musique Concrete

Latest Release

Pianoforte

Dick Raaijmakers

Single - Released January 28, 2015