[sdiy] Cite de la musique, Paris

[David G. Dixon]

> > It was
> > almost as if they all wished the 20th century had never happened
> (musically,
> > anyway).
> 
> Don't believe that, they have defended extensively 20th century music,
> even Kraftwerk gave a concert there in the concert room some years ago.
> not to mention the Corps Electriques (electric bodies) exhibition at the
> same time.

Well that's good to hear!  However, it would have been good to read a little
something about the important French composers of the 20th century.  I mean,
Messiaen (and his sister-in-law Jeanne Loriod) put the Ondes Martenot on the
map, so to speak.  A mention of this, and perhaps an audio snippet from the
Turangalila-Symphonie, would have been appropriate.

> They have the instruments created for the IRCAM before the move to
> computers, and don't spit on them, it's e-MU and EMS.

I hope I didn't get that impression!  I was very impressed with the IRCAM
stuff!  I was just trying to point out (in my humorous way) how much it
looked like industrial control equipment.

> They have a Moog Theremin for the school animations, I know it, I mounted
> the kit working for the distributor in France, when it was just on the
> other side of the canal. :o)

Yes, I forgot about that one.

> The trouble I think is that they truly have a huge collection, based on
> the fabulous instrumental collection (too many Strads to mention) of the
> national school of music in Paris which in now on the other side of the
> fountain next to the museum. And as they depend on the School to revive
> the instruments.

Yes, it is a very large collection.  It takes many hours to get through it
properly.  Their collection of harpsichords and baroque stringed instruments
is especially impressive.