Lux

NOTE: Of the five tracks on this cassette (and subsequently on Bandcamp) "Oraison" had a profound impact on understanding just how the marriage of the Buchla 200e and the Hakken Comuninuum could produce an extraordinary aural experience.

Richard transcribed and arranged Messiaen's score for Ondes Martenot and performed it on numerous occasions often accompanied with this explanation of its andecents.

RICHARD: "From the time I first touched the Haken Continuum, I'd dreamed of using it to play a composition by Olivier Messiaen called "Oraison." I first heard "Oraison" years ago as a student of electronic music, and had fallen in love with its simple, beautiful harmonies and profound sense of mystery.

"Oraison" is not only a lovely piece of music, but has historical interest too – it may be the first piece of purely electronic music written expressly for live performance.

"Oraison" ("prayer") is from a suite of pieces for six Ondes Martenot called "Fete des Belles Eaux" ("Celebration of the Beautiful Waters"), composed for the Paris International Exposition in 1937. The Ondes Martenot was among the first electronic instruments, and is still among the most expressive.

The Continuum's own expressive qualities seemed at least the equal of the Ondes Martenot's, while allowing for polyphony and the possibility of performance of the work by a single player. I transcribed "Oraison" for my Buchla 200e/Continuum system, programmed the modern system in homage to the sound of the Ondes Martenot, and now offer this performance to you."

 

Discography:  These Last Days │ Ten Thousand Shades of Blue │ I, Mute Hummings (compilation) │ White Night │ Lux │ Luminous Accidents │ Cranes Fly West │ The Wave Sounding Sea/The Course of the River │ Polychromatic Integers │ An Abandoned Garden │ NEW! – Modulisme Session 101