In den Gärten Pharaos

In den Gärten Pharaos ("In Pharaoh's Gardens")[1] is the second album by German band Popol Vuh, released in 1971 by record label Pilz.

In den Gärten Pharaos
Studio album by
Popol Vuh
Released1971
Recorded
  • Trixi Studio, Munich, Germany
  • Stiftskirche St. Margareta, Baumburg (Altenmarkt), Southern Germany
Genre
Length37:25
LabelPilz
Producer
  • Popol Vuh
  • Bettina Fricke
Popol Vuh chronology
Affenstunde
(1970)		 In den Gärten Pharaos
(1971)		 Hosianna Mantra
(1972)

Content

On In den Gärten Pharaos, Florian Fricke made more extensive use of the Moog synthesizer and experimental electronic sounds.

On side A is the title track "In den Gärten Pharaos", an ancient, contemplative meditation with the sound of rippling water, Moog synthesizer, Fender Rhodes, and African percussion. The Moog creates an exotic and alien sound while the African percussion and the water effects are interwoven throughout bringing the listener back to earth. The track was recorded at Trixi Studio in Munich.

The second song "Vuh" is dominated by one massive organ chord creating an epic wall of sound. "Vuh" uses the wide range of the organ, both the low drones and the high crescendos. Turkish percussion and layers of cymbals increase the intensity of the music. The song was then played and recorded on a medieval cathedral organ in the Stiftskirche St. Margareta, Baumburg (Altenmarkt) in Southern Germany. The organ was completely renewed in 1997.

Reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
Head Heritagevery favorable[3]

Perfect Sound Forever described it as "an altogether more mature and unified work" than Affenstunde.[1] Mark Lager described it as "the most mind-blowing mystical experience" and "awe-inspiring".[3]

Legacy

The album was ranked the 5th greatest of the 1970s by FACT magazine.[4]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Popol Vuh

Side A
No.TitleLength
1."In den Gärten Pharaos"17:38
Side B
No.TitleLength
1."Vuh"19:51

Personnel
Additional personnel
  • Helmut Fritz – album cover
  • Steffen Metzner – sleeve photography

References
  1. Bearman, Gary (October 2008). "The Transcendent Music of Popol Vuh". Perfect Sound Forever. Archived from the original on October 29, 2008. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
  2. In den Gärten Pharaos at AllMusic
  3. Lager, Mark (September 16, 2012). "Julian Cope Presents Head Heritage | Unsung | Reviews | Popol Vuh – In den Garten Pharaos". Head Heritage. Retrieved August 15, 2016.
  4. "The 100 Best Albums of the 1970s". Fact. July 14, 2014. Retrieved November 22, 2015.
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