ondes Martenot

The ondes Martenot was one of the first electronic musical instruments, and the first to find a place within the symphony orchestra. It was introduced in 1928 by the Frenchman Maurice Martenot, after a decade of experiment.

When two very high frequency waves are brought together, the difference between their frequencies produces a third wave, known either as “beat tones” or a “resultant tone”. When falling within the audible spectrum, the raw sound is not unlike that made by a shortwave radio while seeking a broadcast frequency.

Martenot’s dual professions as a scientist and performing musician inspired him to build on this phenomenon. He succeeded in creating an instrument that would be capable of truly musical sounds and artistic expression in the hands of a skilled performer. Controls manipulated by the player—a keyboard and a ribbon—are used to produce either single pitches or sweeping slides. With a selection of electrical filters and loudspeaker designs, a wide variety of sonorities is available, and with a range of almost nine octaves, the sound of the ondes Martenot can go from a velvety undertone to an eerie, seductive song or a piercing whistle.

Olivier Messiaen’s mastery of exotic musical imagery led him to become the leading composer for the ondes Martenot, but many others, predominantly French, have written for the instrument. It has also found a home in Hollywood and been used to great effect in alternative rock.

The Turangalîla Symphony is probably its best-known representation on the concert platform.