@@christopherrowley7506 That Pedal Show was able to get Ed O'Brien ruclips.net/video/YK4Fmrlqz3I/видео.html , though they had a couple of inside tracks.
@@leocomerford Ed pretty much the only one who does things like this though, he even did a talk at my barely a university, Uni bout 10 years back. The other guys are pretty reclusive
@@christopherrowley7506 I got to sit and observe the band and actually talk to Thom Yorke for about 20 minutes. This was after the release of Kid A. They had a rep in the press as being standoffish, or difficult so I was expecting to just love the music but put their personalities aside. Let me tell you, they’re ALL down to Earth, I was sitting in a tent that included my music gods and they talked to anyone. They just get embarrassed if they get too much praise or attention. I was a nobody, I didn’t even have a pass and was waiting to be spotted and kicked out. Then Thom came in and the guy that did a fan site at the time said Thom usually didn’t stay long so I made my move. I told him how much I absolutely loved the new material and he broke out the biggest smile and thanked me saying the press were hating it (at least in the UK) and it was like talking to any other person. I just think they hated doing press all day, same questions, then playing too. They just want to make music. They’ve all got families. People thought Neil Peart was rude but he said he was incredibly shy and embarrassed being fawned over. I met my hero’s (RH) and they blew me away with joy.!
A nice reference for those who are not familiar is Radiohead’s “How To Disappear Completely”, specially the “Live at Canal Plus” version, which features an ensemble of six Ondes, one played by Jonny himself.
I bumped into Jonny at a bar in Ireland, Quinlan's, and I was just getting into music composed on the ondes and we sat and chatted through a few pints and I had my Sony Discman and I popped in a couple of CD's with mostly Ondes music on them. I told him I didn't care for the space alien techniques that a lot of people use, that kind of 'from another world' sound, but that when used in a sutler way, it was a very beautiful instrument. He thanked me after we sat and listened and talked about it for about an hour. Than Radiohead put out Kid A, and I was like, Wow. Guess he took our interaction to heart. Been enjoying it ever since.
Thanks so much for the shoutout! A pleasure and a lovely surprise to be involved in some small way - let me know if I can help with anything ondes related in future! 🥰
Jonny played the Ondes Martenot on Radiohead's one and only appearance on SNL in 2000 while performing the National Anthem. I watched it live and wondered what in the world was he doing?!? He also played the OM, same song, on Jools Holland. So I would say a lot of Radiohead fans saw the OM more than 20 years ago but without a clue what it was. Kudos to Jonny for always pushing the envelope.
As much as I respect Boulez as a composer and conductor, he sure could be a real [expletive] sometimes, especially to his mentor Messiaen. A Five Composers video including an ondes is a great idea! Can't wait.
Wow, I thought I knew all contemporary instruments, and yet there is one that I never even heard of before. Very interesting! Also, I'd love to see the 5 composers 1 Ondes Martenot video
Make it "5 composers, Ondes Martenot/Mixtur-Trautonium duet", and you can save another worthy instrument. The Trautonium is a bit more wind instrument-like in its sounds (at least to my ears), but also very expressive. See ruclips.net/video/k0UA0-heeFo/видео.html.
"How To Disappear Completely" live at Canal+ Studio is probably my favorite Radiohead performance featuring the instrument. Also I think Ill Wind is yet another underrated Radiohead song worth mentioning here. Jonny's Ondes part is simple yet full of soul and emotion, it's a polar opposite to his typical manic guitar "abuse" on some of their grungy songs.
Ill Wind is a completely lost wonderful song. I remember first hearing it and thinking Radiohead might return to a Kid A sound, but alas it was just a glimpse.
After hearing the Ondes in The Exterminating Angel I began a 3 year research project on the instrument and acquiring one and I’m so excited that I currently have an Ondomo being made for me and should be ready to ship next month! This is by far the best and most succinct video with all of the information I spent years doing personal research on. Excellent job!
Im in the same boat. Its been around 2 or 3 years since I first heard the sound and felt a strange sense of futuristic nostalgia. I'm learning French now so I can better understand some of the original writings/schematics. I am so envious of you. But your comment me me happy; I feel like there has to be only a handful of people who for some reason are very strongly drawn to the instrument. Guess you can call them natural ondinists
I have a distant memory of hearing a quote by Stravinsky who when asked why he didn't write for the instrument replied "why would anyone want to hear the sound of bowel movements in music". I am sure this has been paraphrased beyond recognition and I couldn't find anything online (maybe it wasn't even Stravinsky...) The tone and the visual sight of the instrument with its Palme speaker has long since haunted me since performing in a Three Choirs Festival rendition of Messiaen's Trois Petites Liturgies and I would dearly love to play one someday.
I knew that Jean-Loup Dierstein, the mythic repairman for analogue gear in Paris had recreated from scratch Ondes Martenot for Jonny Greenwood, but I never realized that Greenwood passion for the instrument triggered a revival with new manufacturers. Great video !
7:50 No mention of Elmer Bernstein? He was also a major champion of the Ondes and worked it into most of his late-career scores, like Heavy Metal, The Black Cauldron, and Ghostbusters. Otherwise, nice vid! Always glad to see the Ondes get some attention.
I was JUST coming down here to say the same thing! Great minds think alike. It's odd he wasn't brought up seeing as Elmer Bernstein was one of the all-time great film composers. It's certainly how I learned about this instrument - from his scores for Ghostbusters and The Black Cauldron.
I didn't expect Elmer Bernstein to be mentioned in the video, but I'm glad to see him get a shout out in the comments. I think one of the things that made his contributions so valuable in the 80s and 90s is that he didn't just use the Ondes in sci-fi and fantasy scores like the ones you mentioned, he also used it just as often in dramas like Roommates, Marie Ward, Age of Innocence, and My Left Foot. And even in the fantasy scores, he often used it counter-intuitively for love themes and tender moments. He didn't just see it as a tool for making weird or unnerving sounds, which many other film composers often did with the ondes and the theremin. ruclips.net/video/bVt-T8GP-so/видео.html
@@kirkjohnson717 Oh man, that's true! It's such an unfortunate stereotype that those instruments are pretty tied to the stereotypical sound you described. I heard an album once, The Art of the Theremin by Clara Rockmore, and it surprised me how she used the theremin to imitate a female singer so convincingly. Like, it made me realize there's actually a lot you can do with this instrument in the right hands; even moreso with the Ondes martenot which has a greater range of potential sound.
Sort-a - it uses (tuned, I guess) strings and has a hollow body, but always thought its name refered to a palm court orchestra (rather than a palm tree). thekingofgear.com/post/97310190665/building-your-own-palme-diffuseur-updated
Great video. Jonny is a legend, and the ondes such a versatile instrument. I remember seeing him talk about it back when they started using it. The Kid A live in paris video in particular really shows it off. Beautiful tones.
@@archgod_yt2431 Yeah you are absolutely right. When you dig deep about great albums and bands you can easily see their appreciation. But I think what I'm referring to and super surprised about it how much the general public and masses just don't know their catalog. To me, it's basically a tie between Radiohead and The Beatles as the greatest bands of all time (I would place Radiohead above The Beatles but I understand someone doing the opposite) But EVERYONE knows The Beatles by name and can easily recognize probably 25+ songs of theirs. The same cannot be said of Radiohead.
@@Em4gdn1m You’ve kind of defined the difference between ‘ pop’ and ‘alternative’ there. The Beatles apparently pursued ‘popularity’ in their early career; RH have always seemed more ambivalent. Beatles became more experimental later on; RH seem to thrive on experimentation
What a fantastic video....I remember hearing an ondes martenot a few years ago during a Messiaen festival in Toronto and was absolutely taken by the sound. More composers should write for this!
I'd been a Radiohead fan for about a decade now, they'd been my introduction to so many wonderful music genres but I never knew the extent of how rare the Ondes Martenot, so characteristic in their music, really was! I think that's put into words so well, that it feels distinctly "alive", which is highly unusual for an electronic instrument. It does feel like singing! It's absolutely magical and otherworldly, yet so close to our humanity, resonating with our souls. I'm really happy you'd made this video - making us realise that this majestic instrument was close to disappearing but did not... thanks to this band that in general, had been transformative for alt rock!
Interesting that speaker with the resinating strings..... A while ago I got hold of a load of old half broken instruments and among them something that looked a bit like harp. Some research proved it to be .... the front of a gramophone with strings attached designed to resonate along with the record... produced for 3 years just over 100 years ago. ...it was basically a gimic that never really took off... but now I know the influence of such a thing!
I love the 5 composers use Ondes Martenot idea: Id do it as: A cellist or violonist, a pianist, a flutist (or other wood wind), an electronic music producer and a guitarist write for the Ondes Martenot. I think it would be fascinating to see how the various influences from their respective instruments affect how the Ondes Martinot is used.
Seriously though, a friend of mine in The Hague has one Ondes. It sounds amazing, he sent me some recordings of his improvisations. With fixed-pitch Theremin playing along, too!
I hope this brings more attention to Messiaen's intensely unique music. I was fortunate to have been part of a performance that included his incredibly beautiful and ethereal choral piece "o sacrum convivium" as a music major at UC Berkeley. The harmonies are delicate as eggshells and the whole piece has a sublime spirituality that gives me gooseflesh just thinking about it.
I've always loved the Ondes Martenot since I found out about it during my A-levels, but what really solidified my love for it was its use in the OST for Disney's oft-maligned "The Black Cauldron", which was composed by Elmer Bernstein. It's nice to think that even though it hasn't solidifed its place yet, it still found a way to wrangle it's way into the history of such an important company... Even if people don't like the film as much as they should.
Look up Bernstein's score for the animated movie "Heavy Metal." The final segment, Taarna, has absolutely *magnificent* use of the Ondes, especially the flying theme.
One of my treasures is Olivier Messiaen and Yvonne Loriod's autographs on a concert program where BBC Northern performed Turangalîla-Symphonie in the Free Trade Hall (Manchester, UK) back in the mid 70s. That work features the Ondes Martenot (though I can't remember if Yvonne was playing it or the piano) - I will need to dig out the programme now!
I’m really happy to see how Japanese people love Ondes Martenot and the partnership between musicians around the world. I remember that, in the early 2000s, Jonny came to Japan and interviewed a famous ondist Takashi Harada who worked with Messiaen. I read the article in a magazine and Jonny seemed so studious of OM. OM was also featured in the soundtrack of ”Revenant (2015)” composed by Ryuichi Sakamoto who studied Messiaen’s music in the early 70s. In which another ondist Motoko Oya played the beautiful score. I’m sure that Ondes Martenot will never disappear completely and never be abandoned. 😄
Thank you for a really interesting history of an instrument I hadn't heard of before! I'd always just assumed that the glissando notes in Radiohead's music was some kind of Theremin, without digging any deeper. Made me wonder what other instruments are in danger of extinction. Much appreciated, David!
I'm always amazed by your animations, great video. Also you make me want an Ondes Martenot for myself, I'm a fan of 8bit VGM, synths and Messiaen's Turangalila, and knowing more about the instrument (specially the variety of sounds/timbers) really made me want to play it and to write for it. Thanks. 👌🏼
Thanks for this brilliant spotlight on the instrument! I got a chance to work with Cynthia Millar alongside Elmer Bernstein (she played on all of his scores that used the instrument) at USC back in the mid-90s and she brought her Ondes Martinot in and performed for us…so glad to hear that there are others trying to get more made :)
Lev Termen (Leon Theremin), for the record, was also a cellist. And a very talented one at that. He came across his inspiration for the theremin in a different way (he included a pitch indicator in a gas density measuring device for the Soviet military, which also happened to pick up the proximity of his hand), and thus designed his instrument with different operational mechanics. But the principles behind it are in many ways quite similar. And equally beautiful - perhaps even more, if my bias has anything to say about it.
THAT'S the sound I've always been looking for. Listening to their songs I always wondered what's that instrument, with such an interesting tone and flexibility, it can't be theremin, it doesn't sound much like it. AND THAT"S IT! What a discovery, thank you!
Besides Chiptune, the Ondes Martenot and Messian's work was quite an important influence in my musical intuition to embrace simplistic synthesizers and demonstrate that they can emotively express themselves much like any "real instruments" like Guitars and Violins. Although I wasn't introduced to the instrument from Radiohead like most other folk, it's quite excellent to know of his reach helping it stick around for this long, regardless. It was Moogfoundation's RUclips series "Synthesis of Synthesis" that introduced me to the Ondes _(alongside the Hammond Novachord -- another underrated gem of a synthesizer that's sound has brought me to tears)_ in 2014. The first piece I heard was 'Fêtes des Belles Eaux', and I've considered that my no.1 absolute favorite song ever since. On my own time post-exposure, I've attempted resynthesizing and replicating its tones and behaviors in software synths like Harmor and Sytrus, and have written a few songs with the Ondes Martenot in mind, this way _(even as recently as last year)._ Although I've gotten this far with them, nothing will beat the original, understandably. But needless to say, the Ondes will always have a place in my heart for as long as I live, and I greatly anticipate the 5-composers video you plan to do with it. :)
to all who find this interesting-go check out the expanding range of MPE instruments. Roli seaboard, Sensel Morph, Haken Continuum and the upcoming Expressive E Osmosis are a good place to start. Some of these work as standalone instruments, not just midi controllers so you could incorporate it in a live performance more easily
imho i always found the seaboard to be kinda disappointing. it takes way more effort to play than the ondes, and you lose the precision and tactile feel of the piano, so it's sort of the worst of both? the osmose seems pretty amazing tho
I own an ondomo, a continuum, and have backed the Expressive E, (i also have an ondioline), so, as you can guess, i'm quite interested in this kind of instruments these modern instruments are very interesting, for sure, but in my opinion, none can be considered as an Ondes substitute, the only one is the Ondomo
Lovely video. Thanks. I've loved the instrument before I even knew what it was called, hearing it on many films and TV shows in childhood, before discovering its concert repertoire . A huge influence on me musically. Bought an Ondomo recently... still waiting for the postman. All my years practise playing "air Ondes" will perhaps bear fruit... perhaps! :) Thanks again.
Great video, mate. Your explanations of music related matters can be used as a template to better understand non musical fields because you brilliantly brake them down to essence.
I'd never heard of the instrument, until seeing this video. Given that the Theramin, in comparisson, has been part of the vocabulary of my musical awareness for some 40+ years, and the Onde is clearly a superior device, I find that very surprising. Very interesting
I was fortunate to have attended an all Messiaen concert by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra with the Maestro in attendance (in fact sitting next to me!). His wife (piano) and sister-in-law (ondes) performed in "Trois petites liturgies de la présence divine". A treasured memory!
When I was very young the school took us to a theater to listen to a concert and explanations about the Ondes Martenot. The instrument filled the whole stage with many extra speakers each adding a different type of resonance. I must have been 8 or 9 years old, and I had been fascinated by this "machine" and the sounds that came out of it. I then became interested in musique concrète, and later in sampling and modular synthesizers. I think that the discovery that day of the Ondes Martenot totally shaped my desire and my vision of music by placing electronics and electromechanical machines at the center of sound generation.
Being myself an ondomo owner/user, i have to say that it is a fantastic instrument, Naoyuki is really a great person, and really intended to make an affordable and playable instrument there were about 250 ondes Martenot built between 1928 and 1980, consider that some were destroyed (Theremin is older than Ondes, about a decade) now, when you think there are ondes teachers in conservatories, in France (3 teachers, i believe ?), it's weird for students to learn an instrument that they could probably never own Ondomo lets these students practicing ondes home (we all hope that Naoyuki will, someday, build a full size copy of the Ondes) there was also another competitor instrument called the Ondioline (i also have one, from french inventor Georges Jenny, who also made others instruments) Speakers are a very important part of Ondes' sound, now it's possible to make your own ones, i know it's possible to buy the gong speaker (but i don't remember the company's name) Yves Usson (very talented DIY synth maker) has built a small module that emulates speakers, with really faithful and convincing results (i believe it'll be possible to buy them soon)
I'd go so far as to say Barry Gray's music using the Ondes was the most conventionally musical. His work on this instrument encompassed special effects for the two Dr. Who films in the 60s, and he also used it in advertising jingles. I enjoyed this thoroughly - great video.
I picked up a French connection in 2008 and I’ll never get rid of it I have the therevox ondes vco witch is the 7th gen vco but I run it in tandem with thyratron tube vco circuits and it can be beautiful subtle warm or chaotic and abrasive I love the beauty of the sine wave combined with the unpredictability of the tube circuits I’ll never get rid of this instrument and I have Jonny to thank for its production 🙏🏻
I saw NYO perform Turangalila at RAH some years back and became a Messiaen convert instantly. The Ondes-Martenot is arguably the forefather of modern synthesisers, with some interesting tactile control features we haven’t really seen fully developed.
OMG! That wiggling keyboard is awesome!!! I wish this feature would make it to midi-keyboards. The smaller ones, perhaps? Also, Muse used this instrument on their track Resistance, I think.
Hi! Check out the Roli Seaboard. I thought of buying it myself before I saw the price. But it's basically a silicone keyboard controler with wiggling and pushing functions.
Man, if I didn't have such a blind spot in my knowledge and had known that this was a video about an early obscure synthesizer, I most definitely would not have put off watching this for almost a month.
I'd like to mention the Ondophone, a concept instrument that aims to combine the sound of the Ondes Martinot with the Marxophone. The idea and initial designs come from Martin Mulin (the Wintergatan guy) and his team built a prototype to his specifications. He recorded one piece displaying its unique sound and tremendous potential before stating it was not working for what he had intended and canning the project.
I stumbled upon your video and I have to say, that was really interesting, I didn't even know the existence of this instrument and as a French it was even more frustrating :p Could you do a follow-up video explaining the internals? I'm really curious to see it in action.
That's one of the few operas I consider to be 100% a masterwork. I didn't realize the varied ways in which the Ondes Martenot creates the sound world, I'll have to listen for more next time.
This is brilliant - thank you, David. I was very familiar with Messiaen and his wife, Ondes Martinot player Yvonne Loriot, but had no idea about this great reviving sequel. Jeremy Birchall - sound engineer, singer, composer and arranger
Very informative video! Thanks for putting this together. I've been on a recent Radiohead deep dive after listening to the Dissect podcast series on In Rainbows, and this video was incredibly additive to the knowledge obtained from that pod series. Cheers!
Thanks for this video, easily the best overview on the instrument I've ever seen. I've been doing my own research on the Ondes for many years, partly because I'm a Messiaen scholar, and otherwise because of my interest as a composer. Decades ago, I wrote to the Martenot company and actually got their brochures about their digital version... sadly, I wasn't act to act on it at the time. While The French Connection and Ondomo are certainly steps in the right direction, it's worrisome when these are only four-octave keyboards, as the Ondes repertoire calls for more range.
There are other full-size options; Dierstein's ondes musicales and the Audities Ondéa! :-) Even the Mk. 6/7 style ondes cannot play Turangalila, which is best suited to a Mk. 5 ondes Martenot ! You have to cheat!
"If only we could have this on piano" - you technically can but you need to go to a digital instrument. I'd love to see a video from you on things like the haaken kontinuum, seaboard, eigenhaarp and some of the new attempts at making a new and expressive instrument/controller.
@@eliassimon666 i wouldnt say that, that's not why I made the request at least. It would have to be a very well made digital controller to give the same tactile feel as a bespoke instrument like the mondes. people are trying so we'll see in the near future.
Anyone interested in digital keyboard instruments with more expressive features like vibrato should check out the Osmose by Expressive E, which will hopefully start shipping in the next few months. Also, the makers of Seaboard, Roli, are releasing a Pro version of their Lumi light-up keyboard which is also supposed to have individual key vibrato.
The first time (and one of the few times) I ever heard of the Ondes Martenot was when I was a kid, listening to my parents' copy of the soundtrack album to "Lawrence of Arabia." The liner notes said that the score's composer, Maurice Jarre, had an Ondes brought in from France, along with the specialists required to play it. I always felt that those liner notes should have included the line, "... and from that moment on, his poor son was DOOMED!!!"
I actually saw Leon Theremin in person at a concert at Stanford University, in the 1980's as I recall. His name was pronounced "tear-min". In person at the concert were other electronic music pioneers such as Bob Moog, Tom Oberheim, Max Mathews, etc. I believe I still have the concert program which would provide the exact date and all personalities but I'm too lazy to search for it.
the one thing i rarely hear mentioned is the sensitivity of the martenot. with both the ring and expression button, no effort at all is required to play. compared to string instruments, it's really odd, because there's no friction or tension at all! but that's all i can add to this really excellent overview of the instrument and its history!!
This is my kind of instrument-- all those gadgets, the speaker options, versatility, tactility, intangibility. I guess I always thought Greenwood was using a Moog or a Theremin or an eBow or a slide. Then you have all of those resonator options. Brilliant.
![Jack Harlow - Hello Miss Johnson [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Q86_nlRoIGw/mqdefault.jpg)
Alternate title: How the Ondes Martenot did not Disappear Completely
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I think you should interview Jonny in this channel. I can't even imagine how valuable it's gonna be.
good luck trying
@@karl.t.d. yeah those boys are pretty reclusive. Although Johnny seems to be fairly down to earth so you never know
@@christopherrowley7506 That Pedal Show was able to get Ed O'Brien ruclips.net/video/YK4Fmrlqz3I/видео.html , though they had a couple of inside tracks.
@@leocomerford Ed pretty much the only one who does things like this though, he even did a talk at my barely a university, Uni bout 10 years back. The other guys are pretty reclusive
@@christopherrowley7506 I got to sit and observe the band and actually talk to Thom Yorke for about 20 minutes. This was after the release of Kid A. They had a rep in the press as being standoffish, or difficult so I was expecting to just love the music but put their personalities aside. Let me tell you, they’re ALL down to Earth, I was sitting in a tent that included my music gods and they talked to anyone. They just get embarrassed if they get too much praise or attention. I was a nobody, I didn’t even have a pass and was waiting to be spotted and kicked out. Then Thom came in and the guy that did a fan site at the time said Thom usually didn’t stay long so I made my move. I told him how much I absolutely loved the new material and he broke out the biggest smile and thanked me saying the press were hating it (at least in the UK) and it was like talking to any other person. I just think they hated doing press all day, same questions, then playing too. They just want to make music. They’ve all got families. People thought Neil Peart was rude but he said he was incredibly shy and embarrassed being fawned over. I met my hero’s (RH) and they blew me away with joy.!
A nice reference for those who are not familiar is Radiohead’s “How To Disappear Completely”, specially the “Live at Canal Plus” version, which features an ensemble of six Ondes, one played by Jonny himself.
a link to that performance: ruclips.net/video/zw1kDxjDSxk/видео.html
😮
I bumped into Jonny at a bar in Ireland, Quinlan's, and I was just getting into music composed on the ondes and we sat and chatted through a few pints and I had my Sony Discman and I popped in a couple of CD's with mostly Ondes music on them. I told him I didn't care for the space alien techniques that a lot of people use, that kind of 'from another world' sound, but that when used in a sutler way, it was a very beautiful instrument. He thanked me after we sat and listened and talked about it for about an hour. Than Radiohead put out Kid A, and I was like, Wow. Guess he took our interaction to heart. Been enjoying it ever since.
Jonny is an absolute genius
I play the Ondes Martenot thanks to him
The song "L'exil" released in 1976 by the french canadian prog rock band "Harmonium" features a beatiful Ondes Martenot solo
This is a great example of what a successful musician should do to give back to the community. Thanks a million Johnny Greenwood!
Thanks so much for the shoutout! A pleasure and a lovely surprise to be involved in some small way - let me know if I can help with anything ondes related in future! 🥰
Thanks Josh - your playing is gorgeous!
@@DBruce thank you! that's very kind!
The Ondes Martenot is one of my very favorite instruments ever made, and has been for years. It's so good to know that it survives.
Jonny played the Ondes Martenot on Radiohead's one and only appearance on SNL in 2000 while performing the National Anthem. I watched it live and wondered what in the world was he doing?!? He also played the OM, same song, on Jools Holland. So I would say a lot of Radiohead fans saw the OM more than 20 years ago but without a clue what it was. Kudos to Jonny for always pushing the envelope.
As much as I respect Boulez as a composer and conductor, he sure could be a real [expletive] sometimes, especially to his mentor Messiaen. A Five Composers video including an ondes is a great idea! Can't wait.
Boulez was a self-indulgent fascist prick who only wrote unlistenable noise. Nothing to respect there
@@captainhaddock6435 Now now, let's save the word "fascist" for something worthy of it. Like fascism.
@@marknewkirk4322 He was basically a fascist not gonna lie
Boulez deserves a lot of respect as the founder of IRCAM if nothing else.
Wow, I thought I knew all contemporary instruments, and yet there is one that I never even heard of before. Very interesting!
Also, I'd love to see the 5 composers 1 Ondes Martenot video
Or 1 composer, 5 ondes Martenot! 😍
Make it "5 composers, Ondes Martenot/Mixtur-Trautonium duet", and you can save another worthy instrument. The Trautonium is a bit more wind instrument-like in its sounds (at least to my ears), but also very expressive.
See ruclips.net/video/k0UA0-heeFo/видео.html.
"How To Disappear Completely" live at Canal+ Studio is probably my favorite Radiohead performance featuring the instrument. Also I think Ill Wind is yet another underrated Radiohead song worth mentioning here. Jonny's Ondes part is simple yet full of soul and emotion, it's a polar opposite to his typical manic guitar "abuse" on some of their grungy songs.
a link to that performance: ruclips.net/video/zw1kDxjDSxk/видео.html
Ill Wind is a completely lost wonderful song. I remember first hearing it and thinking Radiohead might return to a Kid A sound, but alas it was just a glimpse.
@@ab8jeh Haha, right😁
@@ab8jeh ah, yes, i remember that faint hope XD
I love Jonny's Ondes on "Where I End And You Begin", together with Ed's E-bow sustainer wizardly give this track one of a kind aura.
After hearing the Ondes in The Exterminating Angel I began a 3 year research project on the instrument and acquiring one and I’m so excited that I currently have an Ondomo being made for me and should be ready to ship next month! This is by far the best and most succinct video with all of the information I spent years doing personal research on. Excellent job!
That is so great to hear. I hope you enjoy your Ondomo! If you need some help getting started playing, do get in touch! :-)
That would be great! I had planned on reaching out at some point when it was necessary haha
Im in the same boat. Its been around 2 or 3 years since I first heard the sound and felt a strange sense of futuristic nostalgia. I'm learning French now so I can better understand some of the original writings/schematics. I am so envious of you. But your comment me me happy; I feel like there has to be only a handful of people who for some reason are very strongly drawn to the instrument. Guess you can call them natural ondinists
Watching this video again, such a nice one ! soooo interesting
I have a distant memory of hearing a quote by Stravinsky who when asked why he didn't write for the instrument replied "why would anyone want to hear the sound of bowel movements in music". I am sure this has been paraphrased beyond recognition and I couldn't find anything online (maybe it wasn't even Stravinsky...) The tone and the visual sight of the instrument with its Palme speaker has long since haunted me since performing in a Three Choirs Festival rendition of Messiaen's Trois Petites Liturgies and I would dearly love to play one someday.
I wonder what he'd say about Dubstep.
Hard to believe Igor was a contemporary of Sigmund Freud, reading that quote. ;)
@@tweer64He just needed to find the right bowels for the job.
I knew that Jean-Loup Dierstein, the mythic repairman for analogue gear in Paris had recreated from scratch Ondes Martenot for Jonny Greenwood, but I never realized that Greenwood passion for the instrument triggered a revival with new manufacturers. Great video !
Turangalila Symphony is my favourite classical piece. It's amazing, I very highly recommend it to everyone
Another reason why Radiohead is such a great band, with so much to offer
7:50 No mention of Elmer Bernstein? He was also a major champion of the Ondes and worked it into most of his late-career scores, like Heavy Metal, The Black Cauldron, and Ghostbusters. Otherwise, nice vid! Always glad to see the Ondes get some attention.
I was JUST coming down here to say the same thing! Great minds think alike. It's odd he wasn't brought up seeing as Elmer Bernstein was one of the all-time great film composers. It's certainly how I learned about this instrument - from his scores for Ghostbusters and The Black Cauldron.
No video can mention everyone. The film score side was a minor concern in this video. It’s mostly about Greenwood.
I didn't expect Elmer Bernstein to be mentioned in the video, but I'm glad to see him get a shout out in the comments. I think one of the things that made his contributions so valuable in the 80s and 90s is that he didn't just use the Ondes in sci-fi and fantasy scores like the ones you mentioned, he also used it just as often in dramas like Roommates, Marie Ward, Age of Innocence, and My Left Foot. And even in the fantasy scores, he often used it counter-intuitively for love themes and tender moments. He didn't just see it as a tool for making weird or unnerving sounds, which many other film composers often did with the ondes and the theremin. ruclips.net/video/bVt-T8GP-so/видео.html
@@kirkjohnson717 Oh man, that's true! It's such an unfortunate stereotype that those instruments are pretty tied to the stereotypical sound you described. I heard an album once, The Art of the Theremin by Clara Rockmore, and it surprised me how she used the theremin to imitate a female singer so convincingly. Like, it made me realize there's actually a lot you can do with this instrument in the right hands; even moreso with the Ondes martenot which has a greater range of potential sound.
Haha! Came here for exactly this.
I thought that 'La Palme' speaker was a lute of some sort from the thumbnail. It produces such an interesting sound. Thank you so much for this David!
Sort-a - it uses (tuned, I guess) strings and has a hollow body, but always thought its name refered to a palm court orchestra (rather than a palm tree). thekingofgear.com/post/97310190665/building-your-own-palme-diffuseur-updated
Christine Ott released a brilliant album with the Ondes Martenot last year.
She has another coming out soon!
@@JoshSemans Yup! gizehrecords.bandcamp.com/album/time-to-die
Love her music!
Great video. Jonny is a legend, and the ondes such a versatile instrument. I remember seeing him talk about it back when they started using it. The Kid A live in paris video in particular really shows it off. Beautiful tones.
I hope we see a resurgence of interest, thanks David, I love the OM's unique sound.
From this, I've just found that the Ondes has been making some of my favourite ever musical sounds! Thanks.
Radiohead in general are so experimental and game changing with their music. They are grossly underappreciated.
They’re one of the most critically acclaimed bands of all time with multiple number 1 albums! They’re brilliant but hardly underappreciated!
@@200swilson hahah ya I was about to say the have the best rated album of all time on RYM theyre pretty appreciated
Rate Your Music would like to have a few words about that.....
@@archgod_yt2431 Yeah you are absolutely right. When you dig deep about great albums and bands you can easily see their appreciation. But I think what I'm referring to and super surprised about it how much the general public and masses just don't know their catalog. To me, it's basically a tie between Radiohead and The Beatles as the greatest bands of all time (I would place Radiohead above The Beatles but I understand someone doing the opposite) But EVERYONE knows The Beatles by name and can easily recognize probably 25+ songs of theirs. The same cannot be said of Radiohead.
@@Em4gdn1m You’ve kind of defined the difference between ‘ pop’ and ‘alternative’ there. The Beatles apparently pursued ‘popularity’ in their early career; RH have always seemed more ambivalent. Beatles became more experimental later on; RH seem to thrive on experimentation
Excellent video as always. Happy to see the Ondes in a bright light
I, apparently, need to listen to more Radiohead. :v
... Also, Martenot was a really cool guy. :3
Skip RH and go for Jonny his soundtrack work
Give Kid A or amnesiac if you want to hear the ondea matternot in action
What a fantastic video....I remember hearing an ondes martenot a few years ago during a Messiaen festival in Toronto and was absolutely taken by the sound. More composers should write for this!
I might just use this instrument in the future! It may be an electronic instrument, but it feels like an acoustic one. Very interesting!
Greenwood is a fantastic composer
I'd been a Radiohead fan for about a decade now, they'd been my introduction to so many wonderful music genres but I never knew the extent of how rare the Ondes Martenot, so characteristic in their music, really was! I think that's put into words so well, that it feels distinctly "alive", which is highly unusual for an electronic instrument. It does feel like singing! It's absolutely magical and otherworldly, yet so close to our humanity, resonating with our souls. I'm really happy you'd made this video - making us realise that this majestic instrument was close to disappearing but did not... thanks to this band that in general, had been transformative for alt rock!
Interesting that speaker with the resinating strings.....
A while ago I got hold of a load of old half broken instruments and among them something that looked a bit like harp. Some research proved it to be .... the front of a gramophone with strings attached designed to resonate along with the record... produced for 3 years just over 100 years ago. ...it was basically a gimic that never really took off... but now I know the influence of such a thing!
I love the 5 composers use Ondes Martenot idea:
Id do it as:
A cellist or violonist, a pianist, a flutist (or other wood wind), an electronic music producer and a guitarist write for the Ondes Martenot.
I think it would be fascinating to see how the various influences from their respective instruments affect how the Ondes Martinot is used.
Wonderful documentary! Thank you so much for this!
This is such a cool video. Definitely give props to Jonny for having the vision to see how he could use this instrument.
Seriously though, a friend of mine in The Hague has one Ondes. It sounds amazing, he sent me some recordings of his improvisations. With fixed-pitch Theremin playing along, too!
I build and play medieval instruments for a living. This was fascinating. Great job all around, cheers from sunny Vienna, Scott
Brian Easdale used the Ondes Martenot in his score for the film “The Red Shoes.” That’s how I first learned of it. Such a haunting, ethereal, sound.
5:01 i think this is the first time i've heard jonny talk at all
I hope this brings more attention to Messiaen's intensely unique music. I was fortunate to have been part of a performance that included his incredibly beautiful and ethereal choral piece "o sacrum convivium" as a music major at UC Berkeley. The harmonies are delicate as eggshells and the whole piece has a sublime spirituality that gives me gooseflesh just thinking about it.
I've never heard of this thing, this is just fascinating. Great video David.
If you want to know more - I’d love to help out! 🙌🏻 I’m a U.K. based ondes Martenot player 🥰
I've always loved the Ondes Martenot since I found out about it during my A-levels, but what really solidified my love for it was its use in the OST for Disney's oft-maligned "The Black Cauldron", which was composed by Elmer Bernstein. It's nice to think that even though it hasn't solidifed its place yet, it still found a way to wrangle it's way into the history of such an important company... Even if people don't like the film as much as they should.
Look up Bernstein's score for the animated movie "Heavy Metal." The final segment, Taarna, has absolutely *magnificent* use of the Ondes, especially the flying theme.
@@jasonblalock4429 A bizarre film, but a pretty rad soundtrack!
Yeah, I agree, The Black Cauldron actually is a pretty good movie, it's just not what people expected of Disney.
One of my treasures is Olivier Messiaen and Yvonne Loriod's autographs on a concert program where BBC Northern performed Turangalîla-Symphonie in the Free Trade Hall (Manchester, UK) back in the mid 70s. That work features the Ondes Martenot (though I can't remember if Yvonne was playing it or the piano) - I will need to dig out the programme now!
Yvonne played the piano, Jeanne played the ondes - she literally wrote the book on how to play it! :-)
I've been obsessed with the ondes ever since I first heard the Turangalila Symphony back in the 1990s, and it's great to see it make a comeback.
I’m really happy to see how Japanese people love Ondes Martenot and the partnership between musicians around the world.
I remember that, in the early 2000s, Jonny came to Japan and interviewed a famous ondist Takashi Harada who worked with Messiaen. I read the article in a magazine and Jonny seemed so studious of OM.
OM was also featured in the soundtrack of ”Revenant (2015)” composed by Ryuichi Sakamoto who studied Messiaen’s music in the early 70s. In which another ondist Motoko Oya played the beautiful score.
I’m sure that Ondes Martenot will never disappear completely and never be abandoned. 😄
what a marvellous instrument! thank you so much for bringing the public's attention to it!
I've never heard the name of this instrument but when I heard it in the video I instantly thought about Messiaen! Great video thank you!
Thank you for a really interesting history of an instrument I hadn't heard of before! I'd always just assumed that the glissando notes in Radiohead's music was some kind of Theremin, without digging any deeper. Made me wonder what other instruments are in danger of extinction. Much appreciated, David!
The legend is back
I'm always amazed by your animations, great video. Also you make me want an Ondes Martenot for myself, I'm a fan of 8bit VGM, synths and Messiaen's Turangalila, and knowing more about the instrument (specially the variety of sounds/timbers) really made me want to play it and to write for it. Thanks. 👌🏼
Thanks for this brilliant spotlight on the instrument! I got a chance to work with Cynthia Millar alongside Elmer Bernstein (she played on all of his scores that used the instrument) at USC back in the mid-90s and she brought her Ondes Martinot in and performed for us…so glad to hear that there are others trying to get more made :)
Love the sound of the Ondes...thanks for this!
Lev Termen (Leon Theremin), for the record, was also a cellist. And a very talented one at that. He came across his inspiration for the theremin in a different way (he included a pitch indicator in a gas density measuring device for the Soviet military, which also happened to pick up the proximity of his hand), and thus designed his instrument with different operational mechanics. But the principles behind it are in many ways quite similar. And equally beautiful - perhaps even more, if my bias has anything to say about it.
THAT'S the sound I've always been looking for. Listening to their songs I always wondered what's that instrument, with such an interesting tone and flexibility, it can't be theremin, it doesn't sound much like it. AND THAT"S IT! What a discovery, thank you!
Besides Chiptune, the Ondes Martenot and Messian's work was quite an important influence in my musical intuition to embrace simplistic synthesizers and demonstrate that they can emotively express themselves much like any "real instruments" like Guitars and Violins.
Although I wasn't introduced to the instrument from Radiohead like most other folk, it's quite excellent to know of his reach helping it stick around for this long, regardless. It was Moogfoundation's RUclips series "Synthesis of Synthesis" that introduced me to the Ondes _(alongside the Hammond Novachord -- another underrated gem of a synthesizer that's sound has brought me to tears)_ in 2014. The first piece I heard was 'Fêtes des Belles Eaux', and I've considered that my no.1 absolute favorite song ever since.
On my own time post-exposure, I've attempted resynthesizing and replicating its tones and behaviors in software synths like Harmor and Sytrus, and have written a few songs with the Ondes Martenot in mind, this way _(even as recently as last year)._ Although I've gotten this far with them, nothing will beat the original, understandably. But needless to say, the Ondes will always have a place in my heart for as long as I live, and I greatly anticipate the 5-composers video you plan to do with it. :)
always love learning more about jonny
Québec composer Jacques Hétu composed a concerto for Ondes and orchestra and was created in 1995 in Paris. love Radiohead
to all who find this interesting-go check out the expanding range of MPE instruments. Roli seaboard, Sensel Morph, Haken Continuum and the upcoming Expressive E Osmosis are a good place to start. Some of these work as standalone instruments, not just midi controllers so you could incorporate it in a live performance more easily
imho i always found the seaboard to be kinda disappointing. it takes way more effort to play than the ondes, and you lose the precision and tactile feel of the piano, so it's sort of the worst of both? the osmose seems pretty amazing tho
I own an ondomo, a continuum, and have backed the Expressive E, (i also have an ondioline), so, as you can guess, i'm quite interested in this kind of instruments
these modern instruments are very interesting, for sure, but in my opinion, none can be considered as an Ondes substitute, the only one is the Ondomo
Lovely video. Thanks. I've loved the instrument before I even knew what it was called, hearing it on many films and TV shows in childhood, before discovering its concert repertoire . A huge influence on me musically. Bought an Ondomo recently... still waiting for the postman. All my years practise playing "air Ondes" will perhaps bear fruit... perhaps! :) Thanks again.
Great video, mate. Your explanations of music related matters can be used as a template to better understand non musical fields because you brilliantly brake them down to essence.
I'd never heard of the instrument, until seeing this video. Given that the Theramin, in comparisson, has been part of the vocabulary of my musical awareness for some 40+ years, and the Onde is clearly a superior device, I find that very surprising. Very interesting
Can't imagine how much time and research you've put on this. Respect!
is this used in "spinning plates" for the piano part?
Great video! It’s one instrument that I would love to own. Having a theremin sound but with a visual guide as to what note is being played is amazing
I was fortunate to have attended an all Messiaen concert by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra with the Maestro in attendance (in fact sitting next to me!). His wife (piano) and sister-in-law (ondes) performed in "Trois petites liturgies de la présence divine". A treasured memory!
Wow! What an experience that must have been
@@JoshSemans Truly unforgettable.
When I was very young the school took us to a theater to listen to a concert and explanations about the Ondes Martenot. The instrument filled the whole stage with many extra speakers each adding a different type of resonance.
I must have been 8 or 9 years old, and I had been fascinated by this "machine" and the sounds that came out of it.
I then became interested in musique concrète, and later in sampling and modular synthesizers.
I think that the discovery that day of the Ondes Martenot totally shaped my desire and my vision of music by placing electronics and electromechanical machines at the center of sound generation.
Great video, well done. Thanks Jonny for preserving this legendary instrument.
Being myself an ondomo owner/user, i have to say that it is a fantastic instrument, Naoyuki is really a great person, and really intended to make an affordable and playable instrument
there were about 250 ondes Martenot built between 1928 and 1980, consider that some were destroyed (Theremin is older than Ondes, about a decade)
now, when you think there are ondes teachers in conservatories, in France (3 teachers, i believe ?), it's weird for students to learn an instrument that they could probably never own
Ondomo lets these students practicing ondes home (we all hope that Naoyuki will, someday, build a full size copy of the Ondes)
there was also another competitor instrument called the Ondioline (i also have one, from french inventor Georges Jenny, who also made others instruments)
Speakers are a very important part of Ondes' sound, now it's possible to make your own ones, i know it's possible to buy the gong speaker (but i don't remember the company's name)
Yves Usson (very talented DIY synth maker) has built a small module that emulates speakers, with really faithful and convincing results (i believe it'll be possible to buy them soon)
I'd go so far as to say Barry Gray's music using the Ondes was the most conventionally musical. His work on this instrument encompassed special effects for the two Dr. Who films in the 60s, and he also used it in advertising jingles.
I enjoyed this thoroughly - great video.
I picked up a French connection in 2008 and I’ll never get rid of it I have the therevox ondes vco witch is the 7th gen vco but I run it in tandem with thyratron tube vco circuits and it can be beautiful subtle warm or chaotic and abrasive I love the beauty of the sine wave combined with the unpredictability of the tube circuits I’ll never get rid of this instrument and I have Jonny to thank for its production 🙏🏻
I saw NYO perform Turangalila at RAH some years back and became a Messiaen convert instantly.
The Ondes-Martenot is arguably the forefather of modern synthesisers, with some interesting tactile control features we haven’t really seen fully developed.
OMG! That wiggling keyboard is awesome!!! I wish this feature would make it to midi-keyboards. The smaller ones, perhaps?
Also, Muse used this instrument on their track Resistance, I think.
Hi! Check out the Roli Seaboard. I thought of buying it myself before I saw the price. But it's basically a silicone keyboard controler with wiggling and pushing functions.
AFAIK there were analogue Yamaha stage organs those could slide the keymech sideways the same way.
I wasn't aware of the instrument before today, but it already has a built-in fascination.
Man, if I didn't have such a blind spot in my knowledge and had known that this was a video about an early obscure synthesizer, I most definitely would not have put off watching this for almost a month.
I'd like to mention the Ondophone, a concept instrument that aims to combine the sound of the Ondes Martinot with the Marxophone.
The idea and initial designs come from Martin Mulin (the Wintergatan guy) and his team built a prototype to his specifications.
He recorded one piece displaying its unique sound and tremendous potential before stating it was not working for what he had intended and canning the project.
I stumbled upon your video and I have to say, that was really interesting, I didn't even know the existence of this instrument and as a French it was even more frustrating :p
Could you do a follow-up video explaining the internals? I'm really curious to see it in action.
I'd be happy to help out, in this regard!
This is a great introduction of the instrument!
Thanks for sharing all this.
Messiaen's use of the ondes martenot in Saint Francois d'Assise is amazing. He exploited basically every feature that was added to the instrument
That's one of the few operas I consider to be 100% a masterwork. I didn't realize the varied ways in which the Ondes Martenot creates the sound world, I'll have to listen for more next time.
This is brilliant - thank you, David. I was very familiar with Messiaen and his wife, Ondes Martinot player Yvonne Loriot, but had no idea about this great reviving sequel.
Jeremy Birchall - sound engineer, singer, composer and arranger
Yvonne was a pianist! Yvonne's sister, Jeanne Loriod was an ondes Martenot player - she literally wrote the book on how to play the ondes!
Sorry, Josh, my memories of some years ago got mutated. Thanks
The you and whose army bit was brilliant, thank u
Thanks now i want one...
This is exactly what I was looking for and more. Great video.
Very informative video! Thanks for putting this together. I've been on a recent Radiohead deep dive after listening to the Dissect podcast series on In Rainbows, and this video was incredibly additive to the knowledge obtained from that pod series. Cheers!
Wow. That was really fascinating. Thank you!
That has been on my wishlist for a long time, and probably will be forever....
Thanks for this video, easily the best overview on the instrument I've ever seen. I've been doing my own research on the Ondes for many years, partly because I'm a Messiaen scholar, and otherwise because of my interest as a composer. Decades ago, I wrote to the Martenot company and actually got their brochures about their digital version... sadly, I wasn't act to act on it at the time. While The French Connection and Ondomo are certainly steps in the right direction, it's worrisome when these are only four-octave keyboards, as the Ondes repertoire calls for more range.
There are other full-size options; Dierstein's ondes musicales and the Audities Ondéa! :-) Even the Mk. 6/7 style ondes cannot play Turangalila, which is best suited to a Mk. 5 ondes Martenot ! You have to cheat!
@@JoshSemans Are any of these currently available?
@@timothytikker3834 Yep! Dierstein builds his instruments in Paris, and Audities build theirs in Canada. My ondes is Dierstein 022 🥰
@@JoshSemans major coolness! I must investigate... thanks for the tip!
Damn this song is haunting me
NB beautiful video, btw
Jonny, you're a treasure of humanity.
Super interesting David, thank you for sharing!
"If only we could have this on piano" - you technically can but you need to go to a digital instrument. I'd love to see a video from you on things like the haaken kontinuum, seaboard, eigenhaarp and some of the new attempts at making a new and expressive instrument/controller.
I was going to say this. The ondes seems rather obsolete in the 21st century.
@@eliassimon666 no other instrument can really do what the ondes does!
@@eliassimon666 i wouldnt say that, that's not why I made the request at least. It would have to be a very well made digital controller to give the same tactile feel as a bespoke instrument like the mondes. people are trying so we'll see in the near future.
@@troelsknudsen253 I'd love to see a "shootout". The Continuum is, indeed, quite "well made". ruclips.net/video/TipkbHZkzQs/видео.html
Anyone interested in digital keyboard instruments with more expressive features like vibrato should check out the Osmose by Expressive E, which will hopefully start shipping in the next few months. Also, the makers of Seaboard, Roli, are releasing a Pro version of their Lumi light-up keyboard which is also supposed to have individual key vibrato.
Very cool video! Jonny's one of my heroes! Nice spotlight on the Ondes Martenot.
What an excellent video and a great introduction to such a fascinating instrument.
Oh, I'm so ready for the "5 Composers and the Ondes Martenot" Video🎼🔥
I think there are finally some keyboards catching up to this things expressiveness, great video, thanks!
The first time (and one of the few times) I ever heard of the Ondes Martenot was when I was a kid, listening to my parents' copy of the soundtrack album to "Lawrence of Arabia." The liner notes said that the score's composer, Maurice Jarre, had an Ondes brought in from France, along with the specialists required to play it. I always felt that those liner notes should have included the line, "... and from that moment on, his poor son was DOOMED!!!"
I actually saw Leon Theremin in person at a concert at Stanford University, in the 1980's as I recall. His name was pronounced "tear-min". In person at the concert were other electronic music pioneers such as Bob Moog, Tom Oberheim, Max Mathews, etc. I believe I still have the concert program which would provide the exact date and all personalities but I'm too lazy to search for it.
the one thing i rarely hear mentioned is the sensitivity of the martenot. with both the ring and expression button, no effort at all is required to play. compared to string instruments, it's really odd, because there's no friction or tension at all! but that's all i can add to this really excellent overview of the instrument and its history!!
This is my kind of instrument-- all those gadgets, the speaker options, versatility, tactility, intangibility. I guess I always thought Greenwood was using a Moog or a Theremin or an eBow or a slide. Then you have all of those resonator options. Brilliant.