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Electronic Music
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Telharmonium is Invented
The Telharmonium (also known as the Dynamophone) was an early electronic organ, developed by Thaddeus Cahill in 1897. The electrical signal from the Telharmonium was transmitted over wires; it was heard on the receiving end by means of 'horn' speakers. -
Theremin is Invented
The theremin is an electronic musical instrument in which the tone is generated by two high-frequency oscillators and the pitch controlled by the movement of the performer's hand toward and away from the circuit. -
Ondes-Martenot is Invented
The Ondes-Martenot works by oscillating radio tubes that produce electric pulses at two supersonic sound-wave frequencies. They in turn produce a lower frequency within audible range that is equal to the difference in their rates of vibration and that is amplified and converted into sound by a loudspeaker. -
Hammon Organ is Invented
The Hammond Organ is invented by Laurens Hammond and John M. Hanert based on the basic principles of the telharmonium. The Hammond Organ is basically an electronic organ. -
Invention of the Tape Recorder
The tape recorder is an audio storage device that records and plays back sounds, including articulated voices. It was invented by Fritz Pfleumer. -
Fete des Belles Eaux
Messiaen wrote Fete des belles eaux for six ondes-martenot. This was one of the first pieces written for the new electronic instrument to become extrememly successful. -
Successful Turntable Recordings
John Cage composes Imaginary Landscape no.1 (1939) and no. 2 (1942) using test-tones from recordings, which were played on variable-speed turntables. These titles were revolutionary in the making of electronic music. It was the beginning of a new recording era. -
The Beginning of Musique Concrete
RTF (Radiodiffusion-television Francaise) broadcasts Pierre Schaeffer's Etude aux Chemin de Fer on Oct. 5th. This marks the beginning of studio realizations and musique concrete. -
Invention of the Synthesizer
Robert Moog was a pioneer in electronic music. He invented the moog synthesizer, which would eventually be a spark for the entire music industry. -
RCA Mark II Synthesizer
Columbia-Princeton Studio established in New York with the help of a $175,000 Rockefeller grant, incorporated the RCA Mark II synthesizer, the first major voltage-controlled synthesizer. -
Small Synthesizers
Development of smaller voltage-controlled synthesizers by Moog and others make instruments available to most composers, universities and popular musicians. -
Creation of the Mini-Moog
Mini-Moog, a small affordable integrated synthesizer make analog synthesis easily available and affordable, along with newcomers ARP and Oberheim. Development of real-time digital synthesis is also created. -
MIDI Software
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) instruments and software make powerful control of sophisticated instruments easily affordable by many studios and individuals. It makes electronic music more easily created. -
Y-Yo Ma Converts
An interactive system of sensors measuring physical movements of cellists premiered by Yo-Yo Ma is usedin computer technology. This is a huge breakthrough for such a known artist to start using computer generated software. -
PLOrk
PLOrk is the first all computer orchestra to perform. PLOrk stands for Princeton Laptop Orchestra.
