Robert Moog's contribution to the music of the spheres was a practical electronic synthesizer, which he developed in the Sixties. We think of musical instruments as fixed quantities, which we learn to play as children, and whose repertoires sit, recorded, in orderly categories in stores. But every instrument was invented, and some have passed away. Haydn wrote trios for the baryton, because his patron, Prince Esterhazy, owned one. Mozart wrote several pieces using the unearthly glass armonica, developed by Benjamin Franklin. Bach's viola da gamba and John Dowland's lute gave way to the cello and guitar. So far Herbie Hancock, the Beatles, and They Might Be Giants are among those inspired by the Moog synthesizer. Inventing an instrument is like inventing a color. Mr. Moog died age 71. R.I.P.

COPYRIGHT 2005 National Review, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group

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