Ondes Martenot

For some reason Theremins have become di Rigueur in the world of experimental music, circuit benders, and emo bands. There are Theremins, Laser Harps, Thingamajigs... all amounts to Theremania.

All of this attention leaves the poor Ondes Martenot left all alone - even when some of the best pieces of the era had the French cousin of the Theremin instead. Don't get me wrong. I love the Theremin (I built Paia's Theremax, which I think is the best one out there) but I'd love to have an Ondes Martenot. You get that great sound and can find your pitches much more easily.

Here's a nice chamber piece by Martinu. It could be for either instrument, but you'd have to work much harder to play it on the Theremin. It's played here on the Ondes by Thomas Bloch.