Above: world-renowned "ondist" Thomas Bloch performs an improvisation on the ondes Martenot. Eighty-four years ago today, Maurice Martenot gave the first public demonstration of his new invention, an eerie-sounding electronic keyboard with keys he could wiggle to produce a vibrato-like sound and with a drawstring that enabled him to slide seamlessly between notes. Since this 1928 demonstration, the ondes Martenot has found a place in any number of works of classical and popular music and has become an area of specialization at conservatories of music throughout its native France. Want to know more? Here's a demonstration: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XF2T0CuUoxg Read more: The Ondes Martenot (Composer's Datebook)
Jennifer Hambrick unites her extensive backgrounds in the arts and media and her deep roots in Columbus to bring inspiring music to central Ohio as Classical 101’s midday host. Jennifer performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago before earning a Ph.D. in musicology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.