Lara's Theme from Dr Zhivago

This recording demonstrates the Compton Melotone played without vibrato. The Melotone produces a very pure note and so Compton used it to provide not only four differently pitched stops but also a number of more complex synthesized voices, by combining between 3 and 6 pitches - very innovative in the 1930s. The synthesized voices include the Chimes stop heard at the beginning of this recording.

The Melotone also has a 'echo control' which makes notes gradually fade out over about 10 seconds after the key is released. This effect can be heard at the end of the recording.