AETHERPHON, global theremin family

from http://www.city-net.com/~moko/rbackgnd.html, a site put together by
David R. Mooney

In the course of research for an article published in *Organized
Sound<http://titles.cambridge.org/journals/journal_catalogue.asp?mnemonic=oso>
*, Margaret Schedel recorded the rhythmicon housed in the Smithsonian. The
sound is surprisingly percussive, almost drum-like. The pitch is unclear in
the recording she sent me and she, too, remarked on this fact. The samples
have been used in John P. Young's work, "Ars Algorhythmica," a piece for
didgeridoo and electronics performed at the SEAMUS 2005 conference in
Muncie, Indiana.

At the bottom of this page, he also reports the apocryphal story that a
rhythmicon was found in a NY pawn shop, exported to a british studio, and
used in the scores of a bunch of movies, a tv series, and at least four rock
albums, which is reported as fact elsewhere on the web.

There is a working rhythmicon reported to be held by the Smithsonian.
Perhaps, if anyone lives in or near enough to WashingtonDC, a pilgrimmage
can be arranged. I do know that the curator of the music division is very
interested that instruments that might qualify as 'antiques' be restored to
playing conditions and used, rather than made pretty and hung on walls. If
she is still in charge, it's my feeling that she'll be very much in favor of
someone wanting to research the beast, and schematics and mechanical
diagrammes might just be possible (either the Smithsonian might have them
already, or they might be willing to allow circuit tracing, etc. to be
done.)

ray

On 10/26/07, David V <porphyrous@...> wrote:
>
>   Hello,
>
> Does anyone know of any recordings featuring the rhythmicon? I've only
> found one thus far, a rather odd collection of ambient and avantgarde
> recordings of new compositions using a virtual rhythmicon. I understand
> that they aren't generally available -- only 2 were ever built? -- but
> there have been some simulations. I'm especially looking for any
> recordings of classical works written for the instrument.
>
> --
> -----
> DAVID VESEL -- synthetic music for humans
> -----
> Spellbound, a brief program of music for theremin
> Sunday 10PM-12AM http://spellbound.purplenote.com
>
>  
>


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