The Ondes Martenot: The Ethereal Voice of Early Electronic Music

August 21, 2024

In the aftermath of World War I, as the world was rebuilding and entering the Jazz Age, a French musician and inventor was about to change the course of musical history. Maurice Martenot, a cellist turned radio operator, had experienced something during the war that would spark a revolution in sound: the ethereal tones accidentally produced by military radio equipment. These otherworldly sounds, born from the ether of radio waves, planted a seed in Martenot's mind that would blossom into one of the most fascinating and enduring early electronic instruments: the Ondes Martenot.

The Inventor: Maurice Martenot

Maurice Martenot was born in Paris in 1898. A gifted musician from a young age, he studied cello and piano at the Paris Conservatory. However, his musical career took an unexpected turn when World War I broke out. Martenot was drafted into the French army and, due to his technical aptitude, was assigned to work as a radio operator.

It was during his time in the military that Martenot first encountered the accidental music of radio frequencies. The whistles, squeals, and ethereal tones produced by the equipment fascinated him. He began to wonder: could these sounds be harnessed and controlled to create music?

After the war, Martenot dedicated himself to answering this question. He spent nearly a decade experimenting with electronic circuits, trying to find a way to turn the chaotic sounds of radio waves into a controllable musical instrument. His goal was ambitious: to create an electronic instrument that could be played with the same expressiveness and nuance as a traditional acoustic instrument.

The Birth of the Ondes Martenot

After years of experimentation and refinement, Martenot was ready to unveil his creation to the world. On May 3, 1928, at the Paris Opera, the first public performance featuring the "Ondes Musicales" (Musical Waves) took place. Martenot himself performed on the instrument, playing a piece called "Poème Symphonique" by composer Dimitrios Levidis.

The audience was astonished. Here was an instrument that could produce sounds unlike anything they had heard before, yet it was played with the expressiveness of a violin or a voice. The instrument, soon to be known as the Ondes Martenot, was an immediate sensation.

How the Ondes Martenot Works: A Deep Dive

To truly appreciate the Ondes Martenot, we need to understand its inner workings. At its heart, the instrument is an early synthesizer, generating sound through electronic oscillations. But what sets it apart is the unique and varied ways it allows the musician to control these sounds.

Sound Generation

The Ondes Martenot uses vacuum tube oscillators to generate its basic tone. These are similar to the technology used in early radios. The oscillators produce a simple wave tone, which can then be shaped and modified in various ways.

Control Methods

The genius of the Ondes Martenot lies in its control methods. Martenot understood that for electronic sound to be truly musical, it needed to be controlled with the same nuance and expressiveness as acoustic instruments. He developed several innovative control methods:

The Keyboard: At first glance, the Ondes Martenot looks a bit like a small piano or organ. It has a standard keyboard spanning seven octaves. However, this keyboard is unlike any other:
- It's not fixed in place, but can move laterally.
- The keys are lightly sprung and sensitive to lateral movement, allowing for a natural vibrato effect.
The Ribbon Controller: Next to the keyboard is a metal ribbon or wire. The player wears a metal ring on their right hand, which they can slide along this ribbon. This allows for complete freedom in pitch selection, enabling smooth glissandos (slides between notes) and microtonal pitches that are impossible on a standard keyboard.
The Intensity Key (Touche d'intensité): This is perhaps the most revolutionary aspect of the Ondes Martenot. It's a small key played with the left hand that controls the volume and attack of the notes. The harder you press, the louder the sound. This allows for incredibly nuanced control over each note's volume and articulation.
The Drawer (Tiroir): Below the keyboard is a drawer containing switches and controls that allow the player to modify the timbre (tone color) of the instrument. This includes controls for different wave shapes, filters, and reverb effects.

Output: The Diffusors

Martenot wasn't content with just creating the sounds; he wanted to shape how they were heard. He created several unique speakers, called diffusors, each designed to impart a different character to the sound:

D1 (Principal): A traditional loudspeaker for a clear, direct sound.
D2 (Résonance): A speaker with springs attached to its rear, creating a metallic, reverberant sound.
D3 (Métallique): A small, gong-like speaker that produces a sharp, metallic tone.
D4 (Palme): Perhaps the most unusual, this is a resonating chamber with 12 tuned strings inside. As the speaker vibrates, it causes these strings to resonate sympathetically, creating a complex, shimmering tone.

The Ondes Martenot in Classical Music

The Ondes Martenot quickly caught the attention of avant-garde composers who were eager to explore new sound worlds. Here are some of the key figures and works in the Ondes Martenot's classical music repertoire:

Olivier Messiaen

Olivier Messiaen was perhaps the most influential champion of the Ondes Martenot. He used it extensively in his compositions, treating it as an integral part of the orchestra rather than a novelty. Some of his key works featuring the instrument include:

Fête des Belles Eaux (1937): Written for six Ondes Martenot, this piece was composed for a sound and light show at the Paris International Exposition.
Trois Petites Liturgies de la Présence Divine (1944): This work features the Ondes Martenot alongside piano, strings, and a women's chorus.
Turangalîla-Symphonie (1948): Perhaps Messiaen's most famous work, this massive ten-movement symphony prominently features the Ondes Martenot.

Other Notable Composers and Works

Arthur Honegger: "Jeanne d'Arc au Bûcher" (1935) - An oratorio that uses the Ondes Martenot to create otherworldly effects.
Edgard Varèse: "Ecuatorial" (1934) - Originally written for two theremin cellos, later revised for two Ondes Martenot.
Darius Milhaud: "Suite for Ondes Martenot and Piano" (1932) - One of the earliest pieces written specifically for the instrument.
André Jolivet: "Concerto for Ondes Martenot and Orchestra" (1947) - A significant work that treats the Ondes Martenot as a solo instrument.
Jacques Charpentier: "Concerto de l'Annonciation" (1967) - A later work that shows the continued use of the instrument in the avant-garde.

The Ondes Martenot in Popular Music and Film

While the Ondes Martenot found its first home in classical music, its unique sound eventually caught the attention of film composers and popular musicians.

In Film Scores

The otherworldly sound of the Ondes Martenot made it a natural fit for science fiction and fantasy film scores. Some notable uses include:

"Lawrence of Arabia" (1962): Maurice Jarre's Oscar-winning score features the Ondes Martenot.
"Ghostbusters" (1984): Elmer Bernstein used the instrument to create eerie atmospheric effects.
"There Will Be Blood" (2007): Jonny Greenwood's score makes extensive use of the Ondes Martenot.
"Hugo" (2011): Howard Shore's score features the instrument prominently.

In Popular Music

While never becoming mainstream, the Ondes Martenot has been used by several notable popular musicians:

Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead): Perhaps the most famous modern Ondes Martenot player, Greenwood has used it on many Radiohead albums and in his film scores.
Joe Meek: The innovative British producer used it on his hit "Telstar" (1962).
Daft Punk: The French electronic duo has used it on several tracks.
Gorillaz: Featured on their album "Plastic Beach" (2010).

Technical Evolution and Manufacturing

The Ondes Martenot has undergone several revisions and improvements since its debut:

1928: Original model, controlled solely by the ribbon.
1930: Addition of the resonance diffusor.
1932: Introduction of the parallel keyboard.
1938: Addition of the "clavier à touches" (intensity key).

Manufacturing of the Ondes Martenot has always been a small-scale, almost artisanal process:

1930s-1960s: Handcrafted by Martenot and a small team in Paris.
1974-1988: Limited production by the Audity company.
1990s-present: Jean-Loup Dierstein, a former assistant to Martenot, continues to produce new instruments.

In recent years, there have been efforts to create modern versions of the instrument:

The "Ondéa", developed by Mr. Oliva, a former Martenot student.
The "French Connection" by Analogue Systems, a MIDI controller inspired by the Ondes Martenot.
Various software emulations that attempt to recreate the Ondes Martenot sound and playing technique in digital form.

Educational Legacy

Maurice Martenot was not just an inventor; he was also a dedicated teacher. He believed in the importance of teaching electronic music alongside traditional instruments. His efforts led to the establishment of an Ondes Martenot class at the Paris Conservatory in 1947.

Martenot taught this class himself until 1977, after which it was taken over by Jeanne Loriod, one of the most renowned Ondes Martenot players. Today, the tradition continues with classes offered at conservatories in Paris, Boulogne-Billancourt, and Strasbourg.

Some notable Ondes Martenot performers and teachers include:

Jeanne Loriod: Considered the greatest Ondes Martenot virtuoso, she performed on many recordings of Messiaen's works.
Cynthia Millar: A renowned performer who has played on numerous film scores.
Thomas Bloch: A versatile performer and composer who has worked in various musical genres.
Suzanne Binet-Audet: A Canadian performer who has done much to promote the instrument in North America.
Nathalie Forget: A modern virtuoso who teaches at the Paris Conservatory.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

The Ondes Martenot, while never becoming a mainstream instrument, has had a significant impact on the world of music:

Influencing Electronic Music: The Ondes Martenot was one of the first electronic instruments to be taken seriously in classical music circles. It helped pave the way for the acceptance of electronic sounds in serious composition.
Control Innovations: The unique control methods of the Ondes Martenot, particularly the intensity key and ribbon controller, influenced the development of later synthesizers and electronic instruments.
Expressiveness in Electronic Music: The Ondes Martenot demonstrated that electronic instruments could be just as expressive and nuanced as traditional acoustic instruments, challenging the notion that electronic music was cold or impersonal.
Bridging Classical and Popular Music: While rooted in classical music, the Ondes Martenot has found its way into film scores and popular music, helping to bridge these often-separate musical worlds.
Inspiring New Instruments: The Ondes Martenot has inspired the creation of new instruments and controllers, both hardware and software, that seek to capture its unique playability.

The Ondes Martenot Today

Despite its age, the Ondes Martenot is not merely a historical curiosity. It continues to be used in contemporary music:

Contemporary classical composers still write for the instrument.
It appears in film scores, bringing its unique voice to storytelling through music.
Popular musicians, particularly those interested in experimental or avant-garde sounds, continue to incorporate it into their work.

There's also a growing interest in preserving and promoting the legacy of the Ondes Martenot:

The "Association Ondéa" in France works to promote the instrument and support its players.
Efforts are ongoing to restore and maintain existing instruments.
New versions of the instrument are being developed to keep the tradition alive while incorporating modern technology.

Conclusion: The Enduring Magic of the Ondes Martenot

The story of the Ondes Martenot is more than just the tale of an unusual instrument. It's a testament to human creativity, to the power of thinking outside the box, and to the endless quest to create new forms of musical expression.

From the crackle of military radios to the concert halls of Paris, from science fiction films to rock concerts, the ethereal voice of the Ondes Martenot continues to captivate and inspire. Its journey from a wartime inspiration to a respected orchestral instrument to a cult favorite in popular music illustrates the unpredictable path of innovation.

In a world where so much of our music is created with computers and software, the Ondes Martenot reminds us of a time when electronic music was new and filled with mystery. Its enduring legacy shows us that sometimes, the most interesting artistic innovations come from blending the old with the new, the traditional with the cutting-edge.

The next time you listen to a piece of electronic music, spare a thought for Maurice Martenot and his magical instrument. In its ghostly wails and swoops, you might just hear the echoes of a revolution in sound that began almost a century ago, and whose ripples we still feel today. The Ondes Martenot stands as a bridge between the acoustic and electronic worlds of music, a pioneer that helped shape the soundscape of the 20th century and beyond.