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Released September 1978
Recorded 1978
Genre Electronic music, Space music, Trance music, Classical
Length 137:56
159:28 (2005 Re-release)
Label Brain
Producer Klaus Schulze

On "X" Schulze attempted to execute a concept album of six "musical biographies" evoking contemporary or historical intellectuals with an influence on Schulze. The work is often cited as Schulze's magnum opus from the classic era of Berlin School.

For two of the tracks, "Friedemann Bach" and "Ludwig II. von Bayern" (as well as the first few minutes of "Heinrich von Kliest") Schulze recorded a modest string orchestra and looped them on tape. He had done this in 1972 on his first solo album, Irrlicht, but this time he did not filter the orchestra beyond recognition. The mixture of classical music and unearthly electronic sounds gives "X" a much more organic sound than anything Schulze's contemporaries were doing at the time, such as Jean Michel Jarre's Equinoxe. On following releases Schulze employed a cello, particularly on Dune.

Track listing

Original Release

Disc 1

1. "Friedrich Nietzsche" – 24:15
2. "Georg Trakl" – 5:25
3. "Frank Herbert" – 10:47
4. "Friedemann Bach" – 18:02

Disc 2

1. "Ludwig II. von Bayern" – 28:40
2. "Heinrich von Kleist" – 29:32

2005 Re-release

Disc 1

1. "Friedrich Nietzsche" – 24:50
2. "Georg Trakl" – 26:04
3. "Frank Herbert" – 10:51
4. "Friedemann Bach" – 18:00

Disc 2

1. "Ludwig II. von Bayern" – 28:39
2. "Heinrich von Kleist" – 29:32
3. "Objet d'Louis" – 21:32 (bonus track)

* A previously unreleased live version of "Ludwig II. von Bayern" added as a bonus track to the 2005 re-release.
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Bonus track "Objet D'Louis" is a live performance of "Ludwig II Von Bayern". Played and recorded live in a concert in September 1978 during a show by Klaus Schulze who was accompanied by a classical orchestra of young people.