The Ondes Martenot, a monophonic electronic instrument invented in 1928 by Maurice Martenot, has been used by composers including Arthur Honegger, Florent Schmitt, Jacques Ibert and, perhaps most famously, Olivier Messiaen. Honneger even thought it might replace the contrabassoon in an orchestra. The Swiss composer remarked, ‘The instrument has power, a speed of utterance, which is not to be compared with those gloomy stove-pipes looming up in orchestras.’ Here's a brief guide to this atmospheric and rather specialo instrument.
What is the Ondes Martenot?
The Ondes Martenot is made up of two units. The main section is made up of a keyboard and pull-wire operated by a ribbon controller for the index finger. The keys are capable of slightly shifting, which has the effect of moving the pitch. Sliding the ribbon with the index finger creates glissando sweeps and expressive portamentos.
The left-hand uses the other unit of the instrument, which has controls accessed from a pull-out drawer. These are able to adapt and modify the articulation, dynamics and tone produced.
The instrument's modern-day fans
Modern-day fans of the instrument include Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood, who often tours with an Ondes Martenot. French pop duo Daft Punk have also used the instrument in many of their tracks.
Its mysterious sound has been compared to the human voice. In some instances it can sound like a soothing string quartet; in others it is eerie and ominous.
What works use the Ondes Martenot?
The most famous work to feature the Ondes Martenot is undoubtedly Messiaen's Turangalîla Symphony. You'll be able to hear a performance of the Turangalîla, featuring Cynthia Millar playing the instrument, at the 2024 BBC Proms.
Here is Cynthia Millar explaining the instrument, and its role and significance in Messiaen's Turangalîla Symphony:
What film scores feature the Ondes Martenot?
The Ondes Martenot became a popular choice for film composers who have wanted to create an otherworldly soundscape or unusual texture within their music.
It was a favourite of late composers Elmer Bernstein and Maurice Jarre, the latter using three Ondes Martenot in his scores for Lawrence of Arabia and Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome.
Jarre also memorably included the sound of the Ondes Martenot in his scores for Jesus of Nazareth and Ghost.
Elmer Bernstein often used the Ondes Martenot as a solo instrument in his scores; it features prominently in My Left Foot, Ghostbusters, Slipstream, Heavy Metal and Marie Ward, among many others.
Other composers to add the sound of the Ondes Martenot to their scores include Howard Shore and Danny Elfman, while Dario Marianelli recently employed it in his score for Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire; Cynthia Millar was the soloist.
Top pic: musician Jonny Greenwood playing the Ondes Martenot. Pic: Getty Images
