AETHERPHON, global theremin family

On 8 Dec 2009, at 08:36, Mary Jones wrote:
>
>  That took a lot of nerve to blindly go to a musical instrument  
> without any background in music.
>
Not really. I enjoy figuring stuff out for myself, and I like a  
challenge. My previous forays into writing and photography helped a  
lot. Plus I was a teenager at the height of Punk Rock, so the idea  
that you can just pick up an instrument and make a great big glorious  
noise seems entirely natural.


> An interesting thing happened for me tonight though. I went to our  
> library where they have cable connection for their computers. As  
> you know, this allows for a high speed connection. They had  
> headphones, so I immediately went to Peter's site where I could  
> listen to him for the first time and watch him on the videos.
>
Peter's a great musician. Next time you're at the library, check out  
this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qs55UYGfpE0

It's my favourite of his - and there's no theremin! You might find it  
interesting though - the title of the video is "Song By RUMI - Celtic  
Harp & Surbahar"

Actually - a word in favour of melodic theremin playing - theremin  
and harp is a match made in heaven - both have an angelic quality  
about them, without treading on each other's toes.

Also a caveat about playing atonal theremin - as far as I know no-one  
has ever started out playing atonally and then later learned to play  
in tune. Accepted wisdom is that you'd pick up far too many bad  
habits to make a successful transition.

> I began to feel the instrument in my hands.
>
You're doing it wrong! Hahaha.


> I finally stopped myself and turned the headphones over to my son  
> who became entranced with it. He just froze in one spot and  
> listened. He's hooked even more now, I believe. He said he was  
> surprised I liked it. Peter plays really well. I particularly liked  
> his piece for Clara Rockmore. Now I remember that that is who I  
> heard on the movie about the theremin. She really impressed me in  
> that movie.
>
Here are some more listening suggestions for your next library visit  
- some of my personal favourites. Should save you time searching  
through some of the more mediocre performances. (But do watch Joe  
Theremin - hilarious. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hi69hDPupGs )

First of all, no discussion of experimental theremin can rightly go  
this long without mentioning the brilliant and demented Pamelia Kurstin.

For a taster, visit her myspace site - http://www.myspace.com/ 
pameliakurstin - check out "Purcell" to hear her classical chops,  
then "Theremin Orchestra" for her experimental work with theremin and  
looper.


Then go to http://www.ted.com/talks/ 
pamelia_kurstin_plays_the_theremin.html and settle down for a 20  
minute show. Watch out for about three minutes in, where she breaks  
out one of her trademarks - "walking bass on a theremin"


OK, back to youtube...

Barbara Buchholz is lovely. Here she plays one of her own  
compositions - Seaweed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXDzDV_f1jw


There's a good reason that people say Lydia Kavina is the best living  
thereminist.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn4TgYkqdi8


A couple of very gifted youngsters:
Carolina Eyck - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2XGkZXu4YA
Charlie Draper - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlvm3rS5Llk


Do you get "Midsomer Murders" on the TV? It's a British drama. Here's  
Celia Sheen - who features a lot in the soundtrack - playing the  
title tune.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTZK9FNgK74


It's probably not a surprise that theremins are very popular in  
Japan. Here's a young woman who really makes it into a Japanese  
instrument.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfQenM5LaBI


I could go on, but that will do for now.


Gordon