Ondes Martenot

Olivier Messiaen (Composer), Thomas Bloch (Composer), Bernard Wisson (Composer), Michel Redolfi (Composer), Lindsay / Sidran, Abdulah Cooper (Composer), Bohuslav Martinu (Composer), Olivier / Bloch, Thomas Touchard (Composer), Etienne Rolin (Composer), Fernand Quattrocchi (Conductor), Thomas Bloch Waves Orchestra (Performer, Orchestra), Pomeranian Quartet (Performer), Paderewski Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Bernard Wisson (Performer), Susan Belling (Performer), Lindsay Cooper (Performer), Ademir Kenovic (Performer), Phil Minton (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Thomas Bloch Waves Orchestra, Pomeranian Quartet, Bernard Wisson, Susan Belling, Lindsay Cooper, et al.
• Orchestra: Thomas Bloch Waves Orchestra, Paderewski Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Fernand Quattrocchi
• Composer: Olivier Messiaen, Thomas Bloch, Bernard Wisson, Michel Redolfi, Lindsay / Sidran, Abdulah Cooper, et al.
• Audio CD (September 21, 2004)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Naxos
• ASIN: B0002TNGXM
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #137,500 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #30 in Music > Classical > Instruments > Electronic > Computer

Editorial Reviews

Rare instrument specialist Thomas Bloch is equally at home performing on the soundtrack of Amadeus, on stage with Radiohead, or at Milan’s La Scala (playing glass harmonica, cristal Baschet or ondes Martenot). This CD offers the widest possible range of repertoire for the ondes Martenot, one of the earliest electronic instruments (1919): a solo work and an ensemble for nine ondes Martenot (Bloch), chamber music (Martinu, Messiaen), double concerto with piano, orchestra and percussion (Wisson), electroacoustic compositions (Redolfi, Touchard), and a fully composed piece (Cooper) which contrasts with a partially improvised work (Rolin). These at times surprising works are performed by Bloch and some of his fellow-composers, and also feature Phil Minton, Fernand Quattrocchi, the Pomeranian Quartet and the Paderewski Philharmonic Orchestra, among others.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, November 26, 2004

By 

Bryan Lowe "Ondes Fan" (USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ondes Martenot (Audio CD)

My love of Messiaen introduced me to the Ondes Martenot... and with this disc Thomas Bloch has shown us the full capabilities of the instrument. The Messiean work is a delight, his performance the best I have heard of this work so far. The Martinu not a grade A piece, but his performance does it justice. Virtually all other works on the disc were new to me. Some are a challenge the first time through, not really intended as background music in any way. But soon I had a chance to really sit and listen and enjoyed all works. Clearly his technique is superb, no surprise there given his work on the Turringalia Syphony I had heard previously. But I did not know he was a composer of considerable merit. These works stand well on their own, an interest in Ondes Martenot not required. I look forward to more discs.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent recording of unusual and entertaining music, October 29, 2004

By 

Steven Guy (Croydon, South Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Ondes Martenot (Audio CD)

Thomas Bloch and his fellow musicians have made a real winner with this CD. The music is diverse and interesting and the performances are lovely.

I am unfamiliar with some of the composers presented on this disc (Martinu and Messiaen are the most well known), but there are some very good pieces of music here - even though they might not be described as 'masterpieces'. Bernard Wilson's double concerto for ondes Martenot, piano, strings and percussion reminds me of Bartók's piano concertos.

Some of the other pieces on this CD are works of pure fantasy. If you want to know what 9 ondes Martenot sound like when played together, Thomas Bloch's Wave Orchestra provides you with a delightful answer.

The ondes Martenot is one of my favourite 20th century 'period instruments' and this disc is a wonderful introduction to this instrument.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Ondes Martenot not so well served!, May 7, 2010

By 

Slasher "Fifth Continent Music Classics" (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ondes Martenot (Audio CD)

Aside from the slip-shod art (typical for Naxos), I can't find much positive to say about the performances. They come off as under-rehearsed (the OM is not an easy instrument to play), lacking any sort of passion or commitment.

Cynthia Miller, the foremost exponent of the O M, would have come up with a performance to die for.