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THEREMIN
Etheral Music and World History
2004
They stand on the gleaming floor, calling music out of the air. A Theremin band, a woman with many voices, an avantgardist and an old man fashion the story of the Theremin instrument and its Russian inventor. Polyphonic sound images and electroacoustic sounds add color to the b/w scenes of the narrative.
In 1920 the Russian physicist Leon Therin (Lev Termin) invented one of the first electro-acoustic music instruments, later known as ´theremin´.
The performance Theremin brings us through the inventions and developments of the electronic music of one century, the world history and a personal life course. An energized story about the ma, who conquered the world with his sound and later became an eavesdropper. Electronic soundscapes gives the perspective and brings us into the musical universe of the 20th century.
A Theremin band features in the performance. They stand like silhouettes on a gleaming floor and pluck live music out of the air. The Theremin is played solo or along with a violin and a cello – seeking a common tonality. Three children as musicians concentrate on finding the right note.
A woman speaks with many voices and tells the story of the inventor’s life. A young man visualizes the force-field through motion and position. An old man listens and imagines it all to himself: I will live forever.
Compositions of polyphonic sound-images fill the room, continue the narrative and transform the monophonic sound of the Theremin into a musical journey, inspired by the curiosity that led to the discovery of the instrument.
You are listening to the sound of a century.
Theremin virtuoso
As a special guest theremin-virtuoso Lydia Kavina from Moscow performs at the end of each performance. As a child she learnt to play the instrument by her grand uncle Leon Theremin himself. She gives examples of classical music and new music composed by herself. Her presence and performance give the performance true authenticity.
Duration 80 min. no intermission