Lev Termen on You Tube??

Posted: 6/1/2008 11:42:05 PM
levlvl

Joined: 6/1/2008

I have just seen a video clip of someone playing a theremin on You Tube. In their search field, type in "Termen" and the video in question is the ninth one from the top on page 1. It certainly looks like Termen, he first speaks in Russian and then plays a bit of a Russian romance. Can anyone verify that this is him and when and where was the video made - the poster of the video on You Tube is not sure.
Posted: 6/2/2008 3:42:25 PM
Thereminstrel

From: UK

Joined: 4/15/2008

Thanks! I'm glad you spotted this. Very interesting indeed ... and truly wonderful playing.
In case anyone has difficulties locating it, the page url is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5qf9O6c20o
Posted: 6/3/2008 6:55:50 AM
virani

From: paris, france

Joined: 1/16/2007

Yes, this is him. Very strange video (that now is no longer on youtube ??!!), unknown document.
Really interesting.
I'd love to learn more about that video, probably shot in Russia after lev's forced return to his homeland.
Posted: 6/3/2008 12:57:49 PM
levlvl

Joined: 6/1/2008

I agree that it is Lev Termen. I have attempted to contact the poster of the video on YouTube asking him for the origin and time of the video but so far, no response. The video is still available on YouTube - just copy the url above in Thereminstrel's post and paste it into the address box of your browser.
Posted: 6/13/2008 12:54:12 PM
levlvl

Joined: 6/1/2008

I received a response from the Theremin Center in Russia indicating the origin of the film. I have posted it in the text comments on YouTube with the video of Termen.
Posted: 7/17/2008 7:57:08 AM
Thereminstrel

From: UK

Joined: 4/15/2008

I spotted this on YouTube today:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXC5IrZbBB0&feature=related

It's a Russian documentary, and at about 2.35 it shows some old film footage I've not seen before of Lev Termen (I think) playing and talking about the theremin. Perhaps you've seen it already, but if not it might be of interest.

I Babelfished the info with it, but it wasn't very enlightning:

"Theremin or thereminvox) - the musical tool, created into 1919 by Russian inventor by Leo [Termen]. Game on [termenvokse] consists in the change by the musician of distance from his hands to the antennas of tool, due to what changes the capacity of oscillatory circuit, and, as a result, the frequency of sound. Vertical straight antenna answers for the tone of sound, horizontal horseshoe-shaped - for its loudness. For the game on [termenvokse] necessary to possess practically ideal rumor, since during the game musician does not concern tool and, therefore, it can fix the position of hands relative to it, relying only on its rumor."
Posted: 7/18/2008 4:56:42 PM
levlvl

Joined: 6/1/2008

Very interesting video. Lev Termen is seen at both 0:36 and 2:35 of the video which indicates the year as 1989. At 2:35 I believe that he is talking about his meeting with Lenin in the early 20s at which Termen demonstrated his theremin to Lenin and showed him how to play it.

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