Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info

End-of-Year Fundraising Drive In Progress. Please visit our home page to see this and other announcements: https://www.mmdigest.com     Thank you. --Jody

MMD > Archives > February 2000 > 2000.02.27 > 01Prev  Next


"Ondes Martenot" and Bioscopes
By Albert de Boer

Several years back I met a fellow who collected and restored unusual
musical instruments in addition to being an amateur organ builder.  As
an example he claimed to have two Theremins and an "Ondes Martenot".

He passed away soon after that first contact and I never found out what
an "Ondes Martenot" is.  I got the impression at that time that it was
an electronic novelty, but I am not sure of that.  Does anyone know
what this is and has some details on it?

I also like to make a comment on the recent discussions about
bioscopes.  During my childhood years, while living in the Netherlands,
the highlight of the yearly fairs, or "Kermis" as we called it, was
for us country kids to see a movie in the "Bioscoop", as we spelled it.

The bioscope was a rather large tent with benches for seats ala
auditorium style.  The name as posted on the outside was "Welte
Bioscoop".  Now that I know a trifle more about the world of mechanical
music I wonder if there was any connection to the well known Welte
family of organ, etc., builders.

As an aside, the fixed movie theatres were also known as "bioscoops"
and they may still be called that.

Albert de Boer


(Message sent Sun 27 Feb 2000, 21:18:48 GMT, from time zone GMT-1000.)

Key Words in Subject:  Bioscopes, Martenot, Ondes

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page