8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
what is the ondes?, September 27, 2000
This review is from: Ondes (Audio CD)
That was probably the most pressing question my friends asked me when I bought this disc. One of the first electronic instruments of its kind in the 20th century, it was created in France in the late 1920s and has a history of repertory (Jolivet Charpentier, Messiaen) which is heavily-French dominated (surprise!) In the latter half of the 20th century other composers (Varese, Scelsi, Takemitsu) outside France have written for it. It can create a variety of sounds like and unlike any other instrument. It can produce a 'sine-tone' type sound similar to flute or violin with or without vibrato, to continuous glissandi in any register from piccolo to the double bass(Messiaen used this unforgettable quality in his 'Turangalila' symphony), or white-noise similar to electric-guitar feedback (pretty cool!). Estelle Lemire's CD programs very diverse compositions/composers for the ondes which showcase the versatility and full capabilities of this esoteric instrument. Murail's 'Tigres de verre' for ondes martenot and piano brings out the instrument's best. If you want to hear something unique and learn a new instrument, check this one out.
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