One day in 1919, while measuring the density of gas, a young Russian scientist named Leon Theremin happened upon a surprising phenomenon. His body’s own electric potential, interacting with the electromagnetic field of the gas meter, could generate a musical pitch, right out of thin air.

From this discovery, Theremin created one of the first electronic instruments—the theremin. You might recognize the sound of the theremin from classic science fiction films. It’s that otherworldly ooooeeeeoooooo that’s become a defining sonic signifier of the genre. 

But the story behind the theremin—the story of Theremin’s life—rivals the plot-line of any film scored with his instrument.

Theremin traveled the world demonstrating his instrument, envisioning that, someday, audiences might listen to entire electronic orchestras. But early commercial failures put a hold on that dream, and Theremin ended up back in the USSR, where he designed the first covert listening devices for the Soviet government—bugs. Brief opportunities to pursue his musical work ended, time and again, in ruin.

Both the inventor and his instrument survived, though neither in the way you’d expect. Join us as we explore the astonishing, science-fiction-like life of Leon Theremin.

Featuring the voices and sounds of Lydia Kavina, theremin virtuosa, Albert Glinsky, composer and author of Theremin: Ether Music and Espionage, Jon Bernhardt, WMBR DJ and thereminist, and Dalit Warshaw, composer, pianist, and thereminst. Also featuring music from The Art of the Theremin by Clara Rockmore and Nadia Reisenberg.

Theremin's Instrument

The "We Are WRAS" national simulcast organized by College Radio Day. Heard on over 50 college radio stations in 25 states on 6/26/14.

www.savewras.com
www.collegeradioday.com

"We Are WRAS" Complete Simulcast - College Radio Day 6/26/14

Out takes from session on Feb 11 2015.  Working with some new techniques and sounds.

Feb 11 Part 5 Pt2

Organic

Safe

The Ballad of Evenstar takes the listener upon a mystical journey combining a poet’s recitations with rich and lively interludes of original music.  Evenstar, a magical lake located in the Georgia mountains, named centuries ago by Cherokee Indians, serves as the stage for the performances of a poet, named BO (Beauregard) and his faithful dog, named Hi (Hiawassee), as they interact with various eccentric characters who inhabit the remote territory.

The story is punctuated and assisted by the rustic sounds of the acoustic guitar, fiddle, and piano.  The sounds of Appalachian folk traditions are revisited, reworked anew, or bypassed altogether.

Conceived in 2015 this recording of The Ballad Of Evenstar is the result of a collaboration between the reader/author, William J. Nixon, Jr. and Zac Denton who created and performs the many original musical interlude compositions.  Recorded and mastered by William Brady.

The Ballad Of Evenstar

A rehearsal recording by the Atlanta band Sataraš Quartet. "Shar Planina" is a traditional Balkan tune in 7/8.

Sataraš - Shar Planina

"Healing" for duduk, theremin, muted trumpet and saxophone quartet

The piece was created with the intension to let the listener dive into the simplicity and depth of the sound, its beauty and continuity, to let the listener tune him/herself on a beautiful tone.
This is the recording from the premiere performance on the Composers' Festival Amsterdam 18.05.2013
http://igor-iofe.com

528Hz ensemble:
Raphaela Danksagmüller - duduk https://soundcloud.com/user-690055886
Thorwald Jørgensen - theremin https://soundcloud.com/thorwald-j-rgensen
Evgeniy Bondarev - trumpet https://soundcloud.com/evgenii-bondarev
Evgeniy Novikov - soprano saxophone 
Stefan de Wijs - alto saxophone
Michał Gryćko - tenor saxophone
Juan Manuel Dominguez - baritone saxophone

https://soundcloud.com/528hz-ensemble

Feb 11 Part 5 Pt2

Duet4 Theremin & LapSteel