Posted in A&I
The Theremin and the Birth of Electronic Music
Leon Theremin: Inventor, Musician, Spy
By George Yates
In a 2015 Guardian article, Sean Michaels quipped “In my experience, there are two kinds of people: those who are beguiled by the theremin and those who just haven’t heard of it yet.”
The music
Even if you’re not familiar with the theremin, chances are you’ve heard it on more than one occasion. Some, on a first exposure think, they are hearing a female soprano. Others have noted that the tonal sounds produced by a theremin have a violin like quality.
Compare Puccini’s O Mio Babbino Caro on a theremin (Katica Illényi : https://youtu.be/sh4EQFVAE04) and on a Stradivarius violin (Joshua Bell: https://youtu.be/DsPXig69g2A).
Many celebratory festivals were held worldwide in 2020 on the 100th anniversary of Leon Theremin’s invention. Theremin 100: Electronic Music Written for the Theremin is a link to a collection of contemporary thereminists released in 2020.
I often listen to Music Choice on Spectrum channel 1950. Theremin pieces are played on occasion; one piece played with some regularity is a haunting and beautiful version of Summertime performed by Clara Rockmore: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kga4WmDVmrQ.
The man
Leon Theremin (born Lev Sergeivich Teremen in 1896) had degrees in both physics and cello performance, which certainly contributed to his invention.
The invention
In 1920, Leon Theremin was heading the experimental electronic oscillation laboratory at the Physical Technical Institute of Leningrad [St. Petersburg]. He invented a number of devices, including a high-frequency oscillator that correlated its frequency with the dielectric constant of a gas. The device emitted a tone that changed pitch as the gas density changed. Theremin noted that the output changed tone when he “interfered” with its electric field. Many accounts describe this as an accidental discovery, I’ll posit that Theremin very quickly intuited what he had uncovered. Using the control learned as a cello player Theremin managed to play a simple tune with the device and based on the delight of his coworkers, decided to develop it into a musical instrument.
Leon Theremin playing his invention, Paris in 1927.
The Theremin is played without physically touching it. By interrupting electromagnetic fields between two antennas attached to the instrument, the player controls the pitch and volume of the instrument, creating what some consider eerie and ethereal music.
The iconic theremin joke:
I think I’m going to sell my theremin; I haven’t touched it in ages…
Front and rear views of an early model of the theremin.
See Leon playing Do not scold me, my darling by Alexander Dubuque:
https://youtu.be/w5qf9O6c20 (1954).
The history
After developing a working prototype, Theremin displayed the instrument at an electronics conference in Moscow where it was so well received that he started touring with the device leading to a 1922 demonstration of the instrument to Vladimir Lenin.
Lenin was eager to show the world the advances that Soviet scientists had made, and Theremin was invited to participate in an international publicity tour. He arrived in western Europe with his theremin in the summer of 1927, giving lectures and demonstrations in Berlin, Paris, and London. In Berlin, Albert Einstein was in the audience.
Continuing his tour, Theremin arrived in New York City in December 1927 to demonstrate his invention and also to engage in a bit of industrial espionage, thus beginning his 11-year U.S. visit.
He had his first public performance of the theremin in the ballroom of the Plaza Hotel in late January 1928. Attending were Arturo Toscanini and pianist Sergei Rachmaninoff. Leon intended to stay for only 6 months, but through continuous extension of his visa ended up remaining here for 11 years.
Soon after arriving, Theremin moved into a home on West 54th Street in New York City that became a magnet for composers and scientists alike. Visitors were exposed to some of Theremin’s inventions which included an array of new musical instruments, an automatic door opener and even a color television.
Theremin gave Einstein a room at the house for exploring the connection between music and geometry, and in 1931 Theremin designed for Einstein the rhythmicon – a musical instrument that could reproduce patterns through a projector.
During this period Theremin met Clara Reisenberg Rockmore, a Russian émigré and renowned violinist, and he taught her how to play the theremin. Clara gained fame with her public performances and went on to become the best Theremin virtuoso of her time.
Prior to her marriage to attorney Robert Rockmore, Leon proposed marriage to Clara, which she declined. However, they stayed friends, and worked together to custom-build Rockmore a theremin to her size and aesthetic specifications. This instrument is used in this video of Clara playing “The Swan” (Saint-Saëns): https://youtu.be/pSzTPGlNa5U. It can now be seen at the Museum of Musical Instruments in Scottsdale, AZ.
Intrigue
Theremin’s stay in the US proved very beneficial for him. He was able to patent many of his inventions, including the 1928 patent for the theremin. By submitting his patents and befriending other inventors, Theremin was given access to sensitive documents and trade secrets, information that he sent back to Russia. He also negotiated a contract with RCA to mass produce his instrument.
Apparently, Leon was more of a scientist than a spy. Many of his inventions were patented here. He developed sensing instruments for US aircraft, touchless effects for sales windows, for Sing Sing Prison he created the world’s first electronic security system and the first weapon [metal] detectors at Alcatraz prison.
In 1936, he married Lavinia Williams, a noted member of the American Negro Ballet and was promptly ostracized by many, but not all, in his social set. In September 1938 Theremin returned to Russia, and Lavinia never saw him again. There are conflicting accounts regarding his repatriation. In an 1989 interview Leon states that he wished to return to Russia to help with the war effort.
He worked in a lab run by the Ministry of Internal Affairs developing listening tools and bugging devices to be used by the secret police. One device was used to spy on foreign embassies – and even on Stalin’s office.
Theremin created “the Thing” a transmitting device that was concealed in a replica of the Great Seal of the United States. In 1945 it was presented by Soviet school children, as a gesture of friendship for being an ally during World War II, to the US Ambassador, Averell Harriman. The Great Seal hung in the ambassador’s office, in the U.S. embassy in Moscow, transmitting confidential conversations for seven years until it was discovered and removed in 1952.
Left: An outside view of the Great Seal bug. Right: A replica of what the Great Seal bug looked like when opened.
Leon worked in this laboratory until 1966 when he was released from his duties to the State and was free to live out his life. He worked first at the Moscow Conservatory of Music, then as a professor of physics (Acoustics) at Moscow State University. He continued to build theremins and train musicians in the playing of the instrument. Theremin’s last pupil was his grand niece Lydia Kavina, who is now considered one of the best Theremin players in the world.
Conclusion
Theremin returned to the West for the first time in 51 years in 1989. In France, he gave an interview covering both his personal and professional life (https://www.thereminvox.com/stories/people/an-interview-with-leon-theremin/).
Theremin died in 1993, but not before returning once more to the United States where he was able to reunite with his first protégée, Clara Rockmore, and the other people from the life he was forced to leave behind.
Left: Leon Theremin in his lab. Igor Boyko/Sputnik.
Right: l-r: Leon Theremin, Clara Rockmore (a theremin’s performer), Theremin’s daughter Natalia, and granddaughter Olga, New-York, 1991. Personal archive of Peter Theremin
Theramin’s legacy
General U.S. interest in the theremin waned after Leon’s departure, but the theremins’ long history in movie music had already begun with its use in the 1935 horror classic The Bride of Frankenstein. Due to its characteristic sounds, it has been used as a soundtrack in many horror and science fiction movies.
Bela Lugosi plays the theremin
In 1945 Alfred Hitchcock used the theremin in his film Spellbound. The composer hired was Miklos Rosza, and he won an Oscar for best soundtrack. Rosza hired thereminist Dr. Samuel Hoffman (a podiatrist) to perform his composition. Hitchcock had two “precise requirements,” Rózsa recalled: “a big sweeping love theme for Ingrid Bergman and Gregory Peck, and a ‘new sound’ for the paranoia which formed the subject of the picture.” Hear Katica Illenyi –playing “Spellbound” at https://youtu.be/hpzZP4Va8d8.
The sound of the theremin did not yet evoke space, parallel dimensions, or an alien invasion: it was simply mysterious and suitable for building the suspenseful atmosphere Hitchcock was looking for.
Through the 1950s, Hoffman and his theremin became the sound of science fiction movies, notably The Day The Earth Stood Still, released in 1951.
The Day the Earth Stood Still – Movie poster
The Day the Earth Stood Still – “Prelude and outer space” performed on the theremin: https://youtu.be/5VQgImg15sQ
Leon Theremin’s musical legacy is enduring. The Theremin is still produced today, and its use moved into mainstream music and profoundly influenced the development of modern electronic music.
In https://youtu.be/WhR2e9ab-Uw, Leon Theremin, plays the Henderson-Vallée jazz standard “Deep Night” on what appears to be a 1929 RCA Theremin. “Deep Night” was made famous by crooner Rudy Vallée, who purchased his own theremin and used one in his orchestra, the Connecticut Yankees. This performance was given in 1930.
Leon Theremin was a formative influence in the work of Robert Moog. As influential as the Moog synthesizer has been, Bob Moog’s original focus in electronic music was the theremin. In 1954, as a teenager, he began building theremins in his basement with his father, offering kits for other do-it-yourselfers. By the time Moog began to market modular synthesizers in the mid-’60s, he already had more than ten years’ experience building theremins.
“The theremin specifically, and Leon Theremin’s work in general is the biggest, fattest, most important cornerstone of the whole electronic music medium. That’s where it all began.” — Robert Moog
Let us end on a light note – two clips from The Big Bang Theory
Sheldon playing the Theremin.
- The Big Bang Theory – Sheldon playing the Theremin
- Sheldon plays Nobody Knows The Trouble I’ve Seen: https://youtu.be/NeqndFdgakE
August in the Library: The Reruns Continue
By Anne Newins
As noted in the July announcement, the Manor Library’s August display table also is featuring the hundred (more or less) most frequently read books by residents. It has been a big hit and we are getting books back onto the table as quickly as possible. We may not be attaining Barbie standards, but we are experiencing good circulation, book-wise.
Now for a brief ad: Many residents do not realize that they can scan our catalogue, reserve books, and renew them from the comfort of their homes. Instructions for how to use these options are described under the library link on My RVM. If you would like in-person directions, stop by the library and one of our friendly volunteers will help you.
Word Play: Idioms
contributed by Connie Kent
My Travel Plans…
I have been in many places, but I’ve never been in Kahoots. Apparently, you can’t go alone.
You have to be in Kahoots with someone in order to go there.
I’ve also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there.
I have, however, been in Sane. They don’t have an airport; you have to be driven there.
I have made several trips there thanks to my children, friends, family and work.
I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, and I’m not into physical activity anymore.
I have also been in Doubt. That’s a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too often.
I’ve been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm.
Sometimes I’m in Capable, and I go there more often as I’m getting older.
One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense!
It really gets the adrenaline flowing and pumps up the old heart! At my age, I need all the stimuli I can get!
Nit Wit News — August 2023
(Nit Wit Newz is an unauthorized, often unreliable, on-line news service designed to keep Manor residents abreast of the inconsequential, unverified, and trifling events that dramatically shape and inform our everyday lives here at Rogue Valley Manor).
RING AROUND THE COLLAR
“Oh my, it’s eight o’clock, I told your parents I’d have you kids in bed by now.”
“But Uncle Willie, you promised to read us a story first, remember?”
“Oh yeah, you’re right Jimmy, I forgot about that. Well, what should we read? Let’s see, you’ve got Peter Pan, Winnie the Po…”
“No, no. We like this one.”
“What’s that Betty? Hmm, ‘A Children’s Treasury of Exciting Tales from Senior Living Communities.’ Are you sure you…”
“Yes, we love those stories. They’re the best.” “Well, okay. Jump in bed and we’ll give it a try. Here goes—
Once upon a time, in a land not so very far away, there was a senior community. It was an enchanted community. Cares and woes were infrequent visitors. Lives were lived in blissful harmony. That’s just the way things were at Elderly Acres.
Life was good.
On warm days, a truck drove through the community and handed out Kona Ice in many popular flavors. When cooler days prevailed, food trucks were parked hither and yon and served tacos—free—even when it wasn’t Tuesday.
Correction: Life was not just good at Elderly Acres—life was very good.
Until it wasn’t.
[ Jimmy: “Oh boy, I’ll bet here’s where things start getting good.”]
One day, it was discovered that a golden napkin ring from Elderly Acre’s nicest dining room was missing. Its absence was mystifying since the rings were scrupulously accounted for each evening before, after, and even during, dinner. Moreover, the napkin rings helped turn ordinary dining into, well, fine dining.
An immediate search of the dining room was unsuccessful, as was a dutiful campus-wide hunt by each concerned resident (that would mean everyone at Elderly Acres).
Staff members were immediately exonerated [Uncle Willie: “That means, kids, the staff was not to blame.”] , since each shift begins and ends with a walk through an airport-like metal detector.
To check residents, a highly effective, FDA approved, truth serum was added to the popular chickpea ratatouille casserole each evening at all dining venues for an entire week. It yielded dozens of confessions from the community’s residents; many quite revealing—some startlingly so—but, alas, none were about the missing golden napkin ring.
Angst swept across the campus. Could it be that the hitherto serene Elderly Acres had become an infested area of rampant crime? Residents were up in arms.
Concern heightened. Concern broadened.
Meanwhile, in a seemingly unrelated set of events, the brood of wild turkeys that lumbered aimlessly about the Elderly Acres campus had suddenly become uncharacteristically restive. They began to gobble all through the night keeping residents awake.
Although disturbing, this did not deter the Elderly Acres security department. They soldiered on in their important search for the golden napkin ring. That remained Job #1.
One morning, while driving toward the employee parking lot, one of the community’s security guards slowed to allow a flock of the turkeys to cross the street. Odd, he thought, one of the smaller toms was leading a group of orderly hens, while several large toms, with plumage fully displayed, obediently trailed behind. It was unlike the usual disarrayed, random movement of turkey meanderings on campus.
It appeared, however, that the turkeys had found a leader— albeit small in stature and modest in plumage. They followed this member in near lock-step. It was an unusual sight.
Just then, a glancing sun reflection caught the guard’s eye. It came from the direction of that small, lead turkey where his elongated neck met his torso. There it was: The missing golden napkin ring.
[Betty: “You see, Uncle, isn’t this exciting?”]
How the ring found its way out of the dining room and around the small turkey’s neck, launched endless campus speculation. None of it probable.
In the past, several of Elderly Acres’s security guards had come to grips with white collar crime; none, sad to say, had experience with a gold collar crime.
Nonetheless, “Who took it?” was no longer the question. Now, the question was, “How to retrieve it?”
Turkey-cide was dismissed out of hand. The Elderly Acres’s animal rights lobby was well-funded and just too politically powerful to allow such a thing.
Further complicating the recovery effort, years of failed attempts to snare and thin the burgeoning Elderly Acres wild turkey flock had proved fruitless. Now— to make retrievable efforts even more difficult—grabbing this thief, holding him down, and attempting to wrestle a ring off of the nine-inch long neck of this squawking tom turkey without harming him, would be a fool’s errand. Not one of the guards was willing to undertake that errand. No resident could blame them. None did.
[Uncle Willie:“Are you kids getting sleepy?” Kids in unison: “No, we love it. Read on! Read on!”]
An emergency session of the Elderly Acre’s Residents Council was called at the auditorium to decide how to proceed on the “turkey trouble.” To wit: getting the napkin ring back; ending the all-night gobbling.
About this time, a wondrous event unfolded right there in front of the auditorium. Surprising himself and astounding his flock, Herbert, the newly deemed, golden-collared turkey leader, found he could talk! What? A turkey talks? Yes, talk! Once he cleared his throat—a time-consuming task considering its length,— out came near-perfect English.
Shocked flock members were immediately convinced that that mysterious golden neck ring enabled Herbert’s new-found skill. Who could say it didn’t? A new wave of reverential awe flowed from the flock to their bedecked, and now talking, leader. So, too, did a generous dose of swagger.
Emboldened, Herbert worked his way into the auditorium and onto the stage, adjusting the mic to his two-foot-nine inch height, Herbert told the audience he was there to “talk turkey.” Aghast, the residents were struck silent at what they were witnessing.
Herbert proceeded to outline his flock’s disaffection with their lifestyle at Elderly Acres. [Uncle Willie: “Meaning, kids, the turkeys were unhappy.“]
He told the audience that his flock had become fearful of the cars whipping through campus streets and that the flock’s all-night squawking was a protest to register concerns for their safety.
Herbert proceeded to read a brief list of two demands: The speed limit must be reduced from 20 to 10 mph; Speed bumps had to be installed at key campus locations.
If those demands were met, Herbert assured the council, the garrulous, all-night gobbling would cease.
His timing was perfect. The Resident Council members—most with frazzled nerves from way too many wakeful nights, and facing yet another evening of the same—decided to engage the turkey leader in negotiations—on the spot.
The auditorium doors were shut.
Forty-five minutes later they opened.
A settlement had been reached.
The results: The speed limit was negotiated at a compromised 15 mph. And the speed bumps were reduced to speed humps.
Herbert and his minions were satisfied.
Relieved too, the Elderly Acres residents would no longer have to wonder if a dearly needed silent night was only a December event.
But wait! How about that golden napkin ring around Herbert’s neck?
Not negotiable.
With the disputation behind them, both sides came to realize that the golden ring was the vital communications link that brought the two disparate parties together. It was to remain on Herbert’s neck.
Swallowing hard, the residents of Elderly Acres resigned themselves to face the prospect that their fine dining experience each evening would be without the full complement of eighty golden napkin rings.
[Uncle Willie: You kids must be getting tired. Shall we finish this tomorr …”] [Jimmy: No, no, finish it now”]
And so it came to pass that serenity returned to Elderly Acres. Life was good, very good—once again.
And yes, of course, you guessed it—everyone lived happily ever after!
[Betty: “Wow! Wasn’t that great? Kona ice, free tacos, talking turkeys, magic napkin rings—so much fun! Let’s ask Mom if next summer instead of camp, we can spend two weeks with you at your senior community, Uncle Willie. Wouldn’t that be great?]
(silence)
[Jimmy: “I think he dozed off.”]
——————
Important Note to Nit Wit Newz Readers:
Any similarity in this story to actual persons, places, or animals, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
—A. Looney
Concerts and Performances August-October 2023
submitted by Mary Jane Morrison
Manor Auditorium 7-8 p.m.
Events listed in italics are tentative
Links connect to performer bios and/or programs
Programming subject to change. Programs will NOT be broadcast on Channel 900.
Manor Express available until 9 p.m.
Thursday 08/10 Tommy Graven: American Indian flutes
Thursday 08/17 Tim Church Trio
Thursday 08/24 Chihuahua Desert: Western Fiesta
FRIDAY 08/25 Peggy Evans, organ
This concert will be at the SOU Music Building at 2 p.m.
Sunday 08/27 Attila Soutov: violin
Thursday 08/31 Jaron Cannon: piano
Thursday 09/07 Manor Pianists‘ Recital
Thursday 09/14 Iryna Kudielina: piano recital
Thursday 09/21 Chris Sinclair & Dom Fontana: guitars/vocal
Thursday 09/28 Anna Christina Streletz: piano recital
Thursday 10/05 Skip Bessonette: country/western
Thursday 10/12 Crystal Reeves & Gary Dunsmore
Thursday 10/19 La Rui Duo: Flamenco Guitar
Thursday 10/26 YSSO Orchestra
Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone
Book review by Bonnie Tollefson
Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone, Benjamin Stevenson, Harper Collins 2022.
Sometimes when you go to the library, books just seem to reach out begging you to take them home. Other times… Well, this was one of the times that many books called out. Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake, Mad Honey, Code Breaker’s Secret, and Phasers on Stun are all there waiting for you and for me. However, the one that got to go home with me this time, had the interesting title of Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone.
Author Benjamin Stevenson creates the character Ernest Cunningham, who serves as “writer” of the book, as participant in events, and as commentator making asides to the reader. Ernie explains to the reader what pages the dead bodies show up on, how we should have picked up on certain clues and assures the reader that he never lied to us as twists and turns occur. The setting is a remote ski lodge, the highest drive-in ski lodge in Australia, which according to Ernie is like saying “the world’s tallest jockey”. The reason for the trip is a family reunion to welcome brother Michael when he gets out of jail. As might be expected in a book about murder and family interpersonal relationships, a storm is approaching that will trap everyone at the ski lodge, or does it? Each family member reveals his or her contribution to the story and Ernie finally thinks he understands it all. He stages a denouement in the old wood panel library because, if they ever make a movie of this story, it is the perfect setting. Things don’t go quite as planned (of course) and the book ends with an epilogue that tries to explain it all. On the advice of Ernie’s lawyer, some things are left for the reader to draw their own conclusions. If a book about family dysfunction and murder can be a fun read, this is it – light without bogging you down – mayhem without offending – and intriguing enough to keep you reading.
This book is available from the RVM library in large and regular print and from the Jackson County Public Library System in multiple formats.
July in the Library
by Anne Newins
We are going to display our most popular books for the next two months. It can be a challenge to predict which display topics are going to be popular with Manor readers. Some are successes while others garner little attention. So every year or so, we let you, the devoted readers, decide. Our library software system tracks which books have the most circulation, so why not put them out where everyone can easily find them? Some authors are perennial favorites, such as William Kent Krueger, but we will try to showcase as many writers as possible.
A number of library patrons come in asking for a book they’ve heard about. Here it is:
In case you are curious, below are the top ten for 2023. It should be noted that for many years Faye Isaak’s history of RVM, Vision With A View, was number #1. However, because so many people have their own copy of the book it no longer tops the list. Otherwise, it is likely that it still would be one of the highest ranking books. Another Manor author, Jean Dunham, now can claim #1 status with her memoir, Two Women in Africa: the Ultimate Adventure.
(Sound of a rolling drum…)
Author Title
1. Jean K. Dunham Two Women in Africa: the Ultimate Adventure
2. Richard Osman The Thursday Murder Club
3. William Kent Krueger This Tender Land
4. Billy Crystal Still Foolin’ em: where I’ve been, where I’m going, and where the hell are my keys?
5. Min Jin Lee Pachinko
6. Ann Cleeves The Long Call
7. Bonnie Garmus Lessons in Chemistry
8. Louise Penny Glass Houses
9. William Kent Krueger The Devil’s Bed
10. William Kent Krueger Desolation Mountain