Theremin World

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Steam Powered Theremin in the Wild West?

Posted By: omhoge @ 09:00

photo L.E.Parker

Well maybe not exactly a steam theremin (at least not yet) but performance artist, and Art Institute of California faculty member, Lorin Edwin Parker did build a steam powered synthesizer, The Parker Steam Synthesizer.

As part of his UFO installation with artist Jay Stuckey, he built ten different custom theremins.
And for his latest Electric Western project, he built an all retro-tech tube theremin recreating as closely as possible Lev Termen's 1919 original.

Keeping a Do-It-Yourself approach to all his work, his projects have included a wide variety of unique apparatuses. Parker also teaches DIY Workshops and tutorials.

He's been featured in the Wired Blog By Alexis Madrigal.
It's incredible how Parker pushes the envelope, even into the past, he's helping keep Lev's creative influence alive today.

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Tuesday, May 13, 2008

New B3 Theremin

Posted By: TW-Staff @ 17:01

A new version of the B3 theremin with a fancy new cherry wood case and several new features has been released by Dan Burns.

Called the "B3 Pro Theremin" it is available at his web site. With TW member Thomas Grillo featured on video as spokesman.

Good going Dan, keep 'em coming.

Thanks to Jeff S for keeping us up to date in the forum!

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Thursday, May 08, 2008

Clara Rockmore: Living On

Posted By: omhoge @ 09:04

After a most unique life empowered by artistically and personally high standards, and leaving a legacy that remains vital today, Clara Rockmore died here in New York City on May 10, 1998.

Clara was born in Vilnius, Lithuania in 1911, recoginzed as a soon-to-be violin master by age four, in 1915 she became the youngest musician ever admitted to the St. Petersburg Conservatory. Clara moved to New York in the mid-20s and resumed studies with her teacher from Russia, Leopold Auer, but a few years later muscular and joint problems curtailed her career as a violinist. At around that time she met Lev Termen and became his close friend and greatest proponent of his instrument, the theremin.

She was without peer as a thereminist during her life, and many consider her still the greatest player that has ever lived. Documented in only a few recordings, interviews and video, her impact on the musical community has been renewed with the recent growth of interest in the theremin.

Clara devised an entirely new way of approaching the theremin technically which has helped many seeking to play in a precision style and gave the model of aerial fingering out of which grew other schools of playing. One of the great people of our time, it would take a full biography (something many of us long and wish for!!!) to cover the complete scope of her life and that of her husband, sister and family.

She not only toured with Paul Robeson, but took a direct stand against racism;
not only devised a reliable manner of playing, but greatly influenced the design of the instruments Lev Termen built for her and later ones made by Bob Moog;
not only perfected her own playing, but was passionate about inspiring others to master the theremin and achieve the highest musical goals;
not only led the active life of a true virtuoso, but was a social progressive as well as a charming hostess devoted to seeing everyone enjoy themselves at any social gathering.

Clara's family and friends were tremendously important to her, and she helped instill in their next generations the passions, social values and love of life that she and her sister Nadia held in utmost importance.

The theremin community would not be what it is today without her, and many of us might not be playing at all, or at least not as well, without her tremendous contributions.

This is the tenth anniversary.
Clara, we thank you... and we miss you.

Some more information can be found at:

The TW Clara Spot

Wikipedia Entry (which also lists her recordings and the Moog video)

ThereminVox
"Clara Rockmore Articles" Page

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Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Specters of Ideology Voiced with Theremin

Posted By: omhoge @ 15:41

Jesse Jones has created a ghostly piece about the ideologies prevalent in Russia at the time Lenin was sending Lev on tour with the newly invented theremin.
Titled "The Specter and the Sphere" the 16mm film features Lydia Kavina filmed performing in theatrical venues.

The film and art exhibition are featured at the Project Arts Centre in Dublin May 16 - June 14.

It sounds like quite a vivid and creative exploration and uses not only theremin performance but a "whispering choir" and historical locations and artifacts.

Hope some of our TW members can check it out and let us know what it's like.

Project Arts Centre
39 East Essex Street,
Temple Bar, Dublin 2, Ireland
info/booking
(+353 1) 881 9613/14

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Monday, May 05, 2008

International Theremin Convergence in Mexico

Posted By: omhoge @ 09:39

!Feliz Cinco De Mayo! - Happy Fifth of May!

Though not as important in Mexico as Independence Day or others, it tends to be a big fiesta in the north of North America and seemed like a good day to recognize that Ernesto Mendoza has been doing amazing work to establish the Theremin in Mexico. To date he remains the only professional thereminist there, but he won't be alone on June 22!

The closing event of the chamber music series at the beautiful National Institute of Fine Arts in Mexico D.F. will be a joint concert and featuring Carolina Eyck, visiting from Europe, and Ernesto. The concert will take place in the opulent reception hall of the Fine Arts Museum, located in the central historic district. The program will include classical compositions as well as some traditional Mexican favorites.

Artes Recption Hall

This is a landmark event for the Theremin in the Americas.

Congratulations to Ernesto in his success in making this dream event a reality, and best wishes to him and Carolina on the concert.
Hope she will also have time to enjoy some of that enchanting city.

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To Lippstadt Theremins Are Coming!

Posted By: omhoge @ 08:39

More Exciting Festival News!
The Conrad-Hansen-Musicschool in Lippstadt / Germany has posted details for

WITHOUT-TOUCH 2.0

Festival of THEREMIN
Concerts & Workshops
September 12 -14 2008
with
Lydia Kavina, Barbara Buchholz,
Carolina Eyck, Wilco Botermans
and other participants

Organized by the Conrad-Hansen-Musikschule der Stadt Lippstadt Von Galen-Platz 1, 59557 Lippstadt / Germany. Check out their site for lots more info.

Yet another wonderful gathering of aether enthusiasts, it's looking like a banner year!
Thanks to Gordon and the posters of the Without Touch form thread for helping keep us posted!

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Sunday, May 04, 2008

A Little Country And A Little Aether For Peace

Posted By: omhoge @ 10:23

The Call for World Peace Joins Theremin and Country Great Willie Nelson.

Among musical instruments certainly the theremin is one well suited for sounding the Voice of Peace.

In an encouraging global theremin connection, on his Peace Research Institute, Willie Nelson has documented Eri's theremin performance of his song "A Peaceful Solution".

This is one of hopefully many intersections of the World Thereminization and World Peace movements.

Willie Nelson's work for peace is something to be thankful for and inspired by. Eri's performances of his song help express the global challenges we all face with the powerful voice of the aether.

Quite a few TW members have included music inspired by messages for peace and an end to wars on this planet in their work.

Our thanks go out to everyone for these efforts, please feel free to share yours!

Read More: ERI, Japan, Musings, World Thereminization

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Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Home Again, Home Again, EtherFest Glow

Posted By: omhoge @ 11:10

Check out the forums, a couple members have posted links to their photos.
Every thing I've heard from folks has sounded simply wonderful. The pictures seem to hardly do justice to the depth of their experiences.
Thanks everyone for the posts, keep 'em coming!

================================================

Early reports post closing on EtherFest are all sounding great!

Congratulations to all ThereminWorld members who went, who met, who heard, and who played.

Viva World Thereminization!