Pierre Vellones - Fantaisie for Ondes Martenot and Piano (1930)

"Fantaisie" for ondes Martenot and Piano (1930), by Pierre Vellones (1889-1939)
Ondes Martenot - Charlie Draper
Piano - Paul Jackson
Recorded live at the University of Oxford, Saturday 11 May 2019.

Pierre Rousseau Vellones was a French composer, painter and medical doctor. Diagnosed with Kahler's disease in 1926, he spent much of his life bedridden and keenly aware of his mortality. From 1930, he had a close and productive friendship with Maurice and Ginette Martenot, to whom he dedicated this piece. I love its extended harmony, gestural opening, and contrasts between drama and levity in this work. Vellones wrote several works for ondes Martenot, including:

This "Fantaisie" for ondes and piano (1930 - unpublished), the second known work for ondes and the first written by a French composer according to Jean Laurendeau’s biography of Maurice Martenot.

“Split” and "Vitamines" for ondes and ensemble (1935 - published by Salabert), composed for ondes, saxophone quartet, two flutes, contrabass and percussion battery including celesta and vibraphone; both were recorded for Columbia Records in 1935 under the title “Two Pieces for Columbia”, featuring Maurice Martenot on ondes. Both were also scored in piano conductor versions by the composer.

"À Cadix" (score dated 28 May 1938), a pasodoble for two ondes Martenot, 3 saxophones, trumpet, contrabass, piano, harp and percussion battery. Also scored in piano conductor reduction.

"Karakoram" (1935 - unpublished) for 7 ondes Martenot, piano and eastern ensemble, written to accompany the film of the same name.

"Fête Fantastique" (1936 - unpublished) for three ondes and large exotic ensemble, written to accompany firework and waterwork displays along the Seine during the International Expo of 1937. It was Vellones who had the idea to record these performances on disc, so that they could be freely replayed without the necessity of musicians.

"Une aveture de Babar" (1936 - published by Lemoine, and available as a recording)

The instruments in this recording are a Mk 2 Ondéa / ondes Martenot by David Kean and Steinway Grand.