In this radio commentary, bill discusses the theremin, and how it lead to one the music industrys most fundamental assets, the electronic synthesizer. The story of leon theremin 18961993 and his eponymous instrument is admirably documented in the film theremin. A traditional theremin uses two antennas, one for frequency and one for amplitude, to allow players to craft music using the position of their hands between the two. During this long period, much of theremins work was in the development of electronic eavesdropping. The theremin can also be used to control other electronic instruments, or can be processed using effects, and is used by nonmelodic soundscape artists as well as lyric precision players. As i reflect on the past two decades, i like to think that leon theremin would think positively about the progress the theremin has made in that time. The renaissance that began with the documentary film.
Thank you, leon theremin, for everything you created for us. A professor, he immigrated to america, where by the late 1920s, he had. Theremin demonstrated his first working model of the instrument that bears his name in 1920. Martin chooses to focus on theremins eponymous invention, a strange musical instrument which predated the synthesizer in the field of electronic sound. It took him five years to complete his documentary on an obscure musical instrument and its even. In 1994, after finishing a show at lounge ax in chicago, i was taken by a friend to another club to check out pere ubu. Theremin definition, a musical instrument with electronic tone generation, the pitch and tone volume being controlled by the distance between the players hands and two metal rods serving as antennas. That this film includes these 3 late greats of music make it even more worthwhile to watch. The theremin is named for its inventor lev termen, better known worldwide as leon theremin 1896 1993. A documentary about the inventor of the first electronic synthesiser instrument and his. It is the kind of movie that requires a musical score only the theremin possibly could supply. An electronic odyssey, completely dedicated to his incredible history.
The theremin is an electronic musical instrument that is played without being touched. Theremin definition and meaning collins english dictionary. Theremin world remembering leon theremin 20 years later. An electronic odyssey 1993 documentaire, historique, biographique. An electronic odyssey movie now family video javascript seems to be disabled in your browser. You begin with interest, and then you pass through the stages of curiosity, fascination and disbelief, until in the last 20.
Though the facts of leon theremins life merit this feature film, director steven m. Listen to screeningnotes and i discuss this film and much more on our podcast, movies now and then this is a fairly interesting documentary about the creator of the electronic instrument, the theremin. Clara rockmore nee reisenberg was born in lithuania. An electronic odyssey a bit tedious for anyone but.
Almost completely forgotten in the scientific and music communities, theremin returned to the united states in 1991 under the auspices of a film. One of the first electronic instruments, and the only. It most often takes the form of a box wooden is most common with 2 metal antennas protruding from it. Theremin leon theremin playing his own instrument youtube. If youve never seen a theremin, youve undoubtedly heard one. This documentary is fun to watch and brings to light a lot. Martin by frankie demarco, cinematographer on vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the. Anyone who has ever seen a horror or science fiction film from the 50s, or heard. A documentary about theremin, the man who pioneered the field of electronic music. An electronic odyssey is more than just the story of a novel noisemaking gadget. Naturally, that film spends the bulk of its time on theremins. Martin about the life of leon theremin and his invention, the theremin, a pioneering electronic musical instrument. Upon his release from a labor camp, he worked on surveillance devices for the kgb.
It follows his life, including being imprisoned in a soviet gulag, and the influence of his instrument, which came to define the sound of eerie in 20thcentury movies, and influenced popular music as. An electronic odyssey is a 1993 documentary film directed by steven m. It produces hauntingly ethereal and eerie sounds vaguely. Featuring a performance and postfilm discussion with thereminist, rob. Replication of tony van roons 1995 theremin circuit featuring two photo resistors and a simple inverter based oscillator. I fast forward through the whole movie watching for any theremin not, and wanted to double check complete disc so not sure. The theremin is an early electronic musical instrument controlled without contact from the player. An electronic odyssey is a documentary about the creator of the theremin musical instrument, lev sergeyvich termen aka leon theremin.
An electronic odyssey was shown as part of last years new york film festival. Martin on allmovie very few people would recognize the name of leon. You begin with interest, and then you pass through the stages of curiosity, fascination and disbelief, until in the last 20 minutes, you arrive at a state of dumbfounded wonder. Theremin an electronic odyssey 1993 sheds light on the early era of electronic music. Janet maslin of the new york times called the film a fascinating, offbeat documentary that stands as a fine job of detective work.
An electronic odyssey vhs, 1995 at the best online prices at ebay. He is most famous for his invention of the theremin, one of the first electronic musical instruments. During his absence, the theremin becomes a popular instrument in film scores and through the performances of clara rockmore. An interesting bit is brian wilson talking about the beach boys use of the theremin in good vibrations. Theremin simulator lets you play the unique electronic. How a russian scientist and industrial spy accidentally created an electronic instrument that became a mainstay of hollywood horror. Theremin amazed america with his instrument until his kidnapping by soviet agents in the mid30s. An electronic odyssey a centennial celebration of the.
I just wasnt made for these times 1995 documentaire, historique, biographique. Around 1955, a colleague of moogs, electronic music pioneer raymond scott, purchased one of moogs theremin subassemblies to incorporate into a new invention, the clavivox, which was intended to be an easytouse keyboard theremin. A documentary about the amazing life of leon theremin, inventor of the theremin, the electronic musical instrument so beloved of 50s scifi movie music. Its a biography and documentary movie with a very high rotten tomatoes critics. A profile of russian leon theremin, inventor of the worlds first electronic musical instrument. The film follows both through a strange sequence of events and. An electronic odyssey is a documentary on both the theremin, the instrument, and prof. The scientist, whose name was leon theremin, was not mad.
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