Robert Rich performs for free at Rauch Planetarium

On June 24, Gheens Science Hall and Rauch Planetarium hosted a free concert by Robert Rich, a composer of ambient, dark-ambient, tribal and trance music. Some may be unaware of Robert Rich’s prolific career spanning 30 years and 30 albums or what performing and composing ambient music means. Knowing that Rich designed sounds for film scores for movies such as “Pitch Black,” “Crazy Beautiful,” and “Behind Enemy Lines” may give a clearer idea.

Rich waited patiently when the seating opened a few minutes past 8 p.m. Performing for a modest crowd allowed him to give a brief introduction and to permit a couple of audience members a later arrival. Rich did not seem to mind at all and was happy to talk to the audience before starting his set.

Rich introduced himself to the audience. Rich admits his shows are mostly improvisational.

Rich admitted that he often starts his concerts with the same older piece but moves through his shows in a more improvised manner. During his introduction he thanked Via Studio for building his website and sponsoring the show. Their sponsorship kept it free.

Once the show began the lights went off, the audience sat back and the music immediately captivated its listeners. The chairs in the planetarium were reclined, keeping the audience leaned back and looking upwards. The room’s ceiling illuminated with visualizations of stars and constellations or images of trees, boats and nebulae.

Every image coincides with Rich’s music which sends the audience on a calm journey through non-stop musical vacation. Rich’s concert never explodes with energy but instead chooses to be consistent in allowing the audience to relax and be at peace. How he makes some of the sounds may be a mystery but his mastery of layering various sounds into a full piece of music is fascinating. Rich uses digital sounds of birds, insects, horns and numerous sounds that are too varied to name. One element that may stand out, however, is Rich’s use of live woodwind instruments to add tribal flare to his music.

As the genre name suggests, ambient music works to build an encompassing atmosphere rather than build a melody. Rich performs this tasks with ease. Without being familiar with his work an audience member will have trouble identifying when one piece ends and another begins. This is especially true when some of Rich’s songs on his albums are hours long and he’s gained renown for performing all-night sleep concerts.

After a little past an hour at the planetarium. Rich’s soft voice thanks the audience for their time. The concert is over and many people stretch before leaving. Rich stays to meet and greet audience members one by one.