In this article, Edgard Varèse's visions of a new music through new musical instruments via a partnership of science and art are discussed. Along the way, attempts are made to explore Varèse's idea of composition with sound: as an act of ‘artistic and scientific research'. Attention is also given to some of Varèse's attitudes to musical notation, including the use of graphics. Throughout, the author discusses the various ways in which Varèse's ideas met with stiff resistance - a situation that still continues to this day.