Hugh Le Caine: Compositions & Demonstrations, 1946-1974


Hugh Le Caine, early electronic music pioneer, demonstrates his Electronic Sackbut in 1948 by playing the opening clarinet solo from Gershwin's 'Rhapsody in Blue'. Working at his Toronto laboratory, supported by the Canadian National Research Council, he went on to engineer and prototype the touch sensitive organ, variable speed recorder, multi-track recorder, and numerous other magnificent electronic instruments. And he demonstrated his inventions by composing his own music and by arranging well known tunes, demonstrating at the same time that he was a talented musician and that he had a great sense of humor. This CD, produced by Gayle Young, Le Caine's biographer, is a comprehensive compilation of his music, much of it not available before. The CD also includes many of Le Caine's spoken explanations of his demonstrations which make the CD come alive with human interest. In its commemoration of a remarkable personality and in the historical importance of its content, this is an essential CD. In the extent to which it is also enjoyable, it is a stunning accomplishment.

Keep on Dancin' (Let's Go)


Perpetual Motion Keep on Dancin' (Let's Go) UK CD single

The Perpetual Motion Machine


The oldest known drawing of a perpetual motion machine was made by the French architect Villiard De Honnecourt about 1235. A few hundred years later, Leonardo DaVinci studied the concept in depth, and he also constructed several models - the models have not survived the ages, but dozens of his drawings have survived. Ultimately, he concluded that perpetual motion was indeed, impossible, and he abandoned the idea completely. But the idea still fascinates amateur engineers and physicists to this day! How it's supposed to work: On one side of the wheel the hammer orientation makes a longer lever arm than on the opposite side of the wheel. This makes the wheel unbalanced, and thus the wheel will tend to rotate. As it rotates around, the next hammer falls into place continuing the motion "perpetually". Of course, we now know that such a device will never actually work, but the subtle reasons why it won't work can be elusive. This particular model is a kit based on several of DaVinci's drawings. When assembled, it is an historically accurate representation of the concept, inspired by the work and the genius of the ancients. It makes a fabulous conversation piece, and when treated with a finishing wax or hand-rubbed with fine oils, is suitable for prominent display in any museum. The kit is manufactured from solid hardwood. The finished model is 22 inches tall, 6 inches wide and 18 inches long. Everything is included - All you need to supply are scissors, a utility knife, sandpaper (to smooth any rough edges), some wood glue, a ruler and some rubber bands (or small clamps) to hold parts together while the glue dries. It takes about three to six hours to assemble, depending on how much attention to detail you put into it. It's a concept more than a thousand years old that still captures the imaginations of people generation after generation.