Skyline Forty-Nine P does Mozart (Adagio in C)

Published on Mar 3, 2019 Kris Lennox

I beleive this is the first demo of the Skyline Forty-Nine P on the site. The only other post is this recent auction listing. This is likely the first time many of us are hearing one.

"Not too long ago I picked up this old synth/organ. It wasn't working at all, so I've spent a little time on it/brought it back to life. Great to hear it. I put up an article a few weeks back with photos of the innards (plus manual/schematics etc) - link here - https://krislennox.blogspot.com/2019/...

Reverb was added post.

To the piece: Mozart's KV356 for Glass Harmonica - an instrument invented by Mr. Benjamin Franklin. Have a look on YT and you'll find a live performance of someone playing this piece on Glass Harmonica. Beautiful sound.

The range of the Glass Harmonica is ideal for the synth. Also, being Mozart, there are sections where one can quite easily imagine a different tone (this is common with his piano works, and he often instructed his students to imagine certain parts belonging to certain instruments). I'm utilising the sense of difference within the piece to harness a small selection of tones from the Skyline.

The Skyline can sound very synth-like (i.e when the vibrato & sustain are on) - I'll upload something more 'synth-y' in the near future. Interestingly, it is Farfisa chips under the hood.

I enjoy playing these kind of instruments: no concerns RE voice limits/note stealing. They are also good for technique i.e finger-swapping to maintain a good legato (far less forgiving than piano).

PS I had a look on IMSLP at the Glass Harmonica repertoire: it is quite small, but there are a few sets. I'll maybe take a full set and record it on the Skyline. It would be a very nice way of not only expanding repertoire awareness for any curious listeners, but also giving the Skyline a notable recorded repertoire.

All best (more on this instrument soon)
Kris"