I heart Ondes Martenot
I have fallen in love with the Ondes Martenot.
The OM is an early electronic instrument that was invented by Maurice Martenot, a fellow cellist. Much like the Theremin, the Martenot has no restrictions on pitch. Unlike the theremin, it’s much easier to play. The pitch control consists of a ring on a wire that rests beneath a keyboard. By using the keyboard as a reference, the OM player can specify notes. Wiggling the ring back and forth allows for wonderfully expressive vibrato.
The other large difference between the OM and the theremin is how notes are articulated. Notes are articulated by a weighted button, which controls the volume. Both string like articulations (slow fade ins and outs) and percussive piano like articulations (by tapping the button) can be made.
These two control mechanisms make the OM a wonderfully expressive instrument. It can sound wonderfully ethereal and haunting (like a theremin) or growly and fierce. Different waveforms allow more different timbres. Another option is the type of speaker output, including a speaker that integrates sympathetic strings as a resonator.
Many early pieces were written for the OM, including many by Olivier Messaien. Jonny Greenwood uses one quite a lot in both Radiohead and his solo work.
Unfortunately, OMs are no longer made, but Analogue Solutions makes a CV/gate controller called the French Connection that uses a similar control system. They’re spendy, but hopefully one of these days, I’ll be able to get one!
Here’s some videos and OM related links for your viewing pleasure.
Jean Laurendeau and the Ondes Martenot (a wonderful introduction to the world of OM).
Thomas Bloch playing Messaien:
SOS article about the French Connection.
