Name of Instrument:
Ondes-Martenot, also called ondes musicales, first successful type of electronic instrument. Some orchestras still use this instrument to this day.
Type:
Electronic, based on the ideas of Leon Termen, the inventor of the Theremin.
Inventor:
Maurice Martenot, a radio telegraphist and cellist. He later on gave lessons at the Paris Conservatoire on how to play the ondes-martenot.
Year Invented:
The earliest model received its patent on April 2, 1928. In its early form, the player controls the pitch by moving his hands near or away from a wire. Composers such as Samuel Barber and Olivier Messiaen composed music for the ondes martenot.
Description:
Later forms used a keyboard with a wire stretched across it, the player changed the pitch by touching the wire. Another version controlled the pitch by using the keyboard itself. See an image of the ondes-martenot.
Audio Sample:
Luciole, Composition by Christine Ott for 2 Ondes-Martenot
Additional Resources:
Compare Prices on the CD: Ondes Martenot - Messiaen, Bloch, etc / Thomas Bloch