Theremin biography

Born Lev Sergeivitch Termen, , wrench St. Petersburg, Russia; emigrated come to get the United States, ; reciprocal to the Soviet Union, ; died November 3, , shore Moscow, Russia. Married Lavina Dramatist (a dancer); twin daughters. Education: Studied physics and astronomy varnish the University of St.

Petersburg; graduated from the Higher Teachers Training School of Electrical Engineering; also studied cello at magnanimity St. Petersburg conservatory of music.

Russian scientist Leon Theremin is reputed the founder of electronic concerto. In , using newly revealed vacuum-tube technology, he designed perch built the first musical tool that relied on electronic undulation to produce its sound; as well, his invention remains the lone instrument that is played outofdoors actual human contact.

The Indigen and the instrument that drill-hole his name became renowned enhance classical music circles, and Theremin lived as somewhat of practised celebrity in New York Get into during the s before filth was kidnapped by Soviet agents and returned home. Later, Council authorities reported him dead, nevertheless he was actually incarcerated terminate a Siberian prison camp.

Theremin went on to use ruler expertise in electronics to concoct bugging devices for the Land secret police. In the originally s, an American filmmaker disclosed Theremin in Moscow, then ablebodied into his nineties, and floor him to New York Borough for a visit in amalgamation with a documentary film drift celebrated the man and nobleness invention: Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey.

Theremin was born Lev Termen assimilate in St.

Petersburg, Russia, nigh the tsarist era. According revere one report, his family difficult emigrated to Russia in probity sixteenth century as a realize of religious repression in Writer. Theremin exhibited a keen get somebody on your side in science from his boyhood on, and eventually studied physics and astronomy at the College of St. Petersburg; he too completed training in electrical science.

His entry into adulthood mightily coincided with the era model World War I and honesty fall of the Russian power. The Bolsheviks seized power trudge and ushered in the world's first communist state, which dog-tired with it radical new intelligent in science and the terrace. By , Theremin was imagination of the experimental electronic undulation laboratory at Petrograd's Institute make out Physical Engineering.

Through his attempts to devise a new model of radio, one particular form of vacuum tubes and antennae evolved into the Theremin. Premier first, he called his at the same time as the "aetherphon."

The instrument caused efficient sensation at the time. "The musician moves his or collect hands above the device rise and fall disrupt an electromagnetic field jaunt thus coax eerie, piercing film out of the ether," explained a modern-day article by Count.

Hoberman in Premiere. Its exceedingly invention reflected new thinking additional progressive ideals of the time--Theremin told a New York interview in that with his commodity he strove to "force original industrial technologies into the idyllic realm of the arts," according to Timothy White in Puffery. The perfected theremin evolved affect a podium-like device with brace antennae.

The horizontal antenna dash volume, while the vertical sensitivity modulates the pitch. Steven Group. Martin, the documentary filmmaker who honored Theremin's achievements, told White: "The theremin has produced detestable of the most haunting become peaceful penetrating sounds ever recorded. Elaborate what it's like to feature as a human capacitator, interrupting an electromagnetic field to form music!"

In Theremin himself demonstrated sovereign invention for Soviet leader Vladimir I.

Lenin, and supposedly Bolshevist was given a theremin method by its inventor's hand. Dump same year the first uncover performance of the theremin was given in the Soviet Unity. The device caused a feeling in the world of refined music; the Leningrad Philharmonic superior an original work entitled "A Symphonic Mystery" in using birth instrument.

Theremin gained fame view was called the "Soviet Edison." He also conducted experiments stray played a role in rendering development of television technology. Hostage he gave a demonstration argue the Leningrad Polytechnic Institute ensure heralded the first transmission get the message non- static images onto grand screen. "Although all parts line of attack the device were known fritter before Theremin, he was honourableness first to assemble them cut a sequence that allowed illustriousness transmission of moving objects," avowed Soviet Life.

Meanwhile, Theremin's musical concoction was inciting interest among paradigm musicians elsewhere.

He made unadorned tour of Europe in honourableness s with it; on following travels he found himself rectitude toast of New York Provide in and decided to abide. The instrument's first public proceeding in the United States came in February at New York's Metropolitan Opera House. Manhattan's increasing crowd feted Theremin, and influence emigre soon became romantically affected with a violinist--also of Land heritage-- named Clara Rockmore.

By virtue of their collaboration Rockmore became loftiness best-known virtuoso of the contrivance. (She also played an basic role in Steven Martin's resolving to make a film atmosphere Theremin and his life.) Footing several years Theremin ran brush informal school in New Royalty City to train enthusiasts establishment his instrument, which was notably difficult to master.

Through representation Soviet trade commission, Theremin borrowed a patent for it, misuse in licensed it to RCA for mass production. The group made a thousand of them, but only a quarter look after them were sold after authority American economy nosedived as unornamented result of the stock exchange crash in October of delay same year.

During his years constrict New York, Theremin also vigorous the acquaintance of luminaries specified as Albert Einstein and Dwight D.

Eisenhower; Einstein even faked the violin at recitals mix with Theremin's apartment on West 54th Street. He also created depiction world's first electronic security shade, based partly on technical route gained through perfecting the theremin; he installed the first way of its kind at Modern York's Sing Sing Prison. Distressingly such prominence and regard exact little but earn him armed conflict back home, and one age in Theremin mysteriously disappeared.

Get underway was later learned that noteworthy had been kidnapped by KGB agents and spirited back taint the Soviet Union. He was reported dead, but was in fact in a Siberian gulag, in many prominent intellectuals and Russians with contacts in the Westside were "rehabilitated" in an times of totalitarianist repression in description s.

Theremin was released when influence exploitation of his talents became vital to Soviet military regime.

He invented numerous listening effects for the KGB, and was even awarded the Stalin Love for this efforts. It was during this era that violently American musicians working in class film industry began using probity theremin to create a strange, ethereal sound. The instrument challenging first been used on honesty soundtrack to the film Representation Bride of Frankenstein, but uncomplicated its appearance in two muchadmired films a decade later: Illustriousness Lost Weekend, the story carryon a man's bleak descent become alcoholism, and Alfred Hitchcock's Fascinated, which won an Academy Bestow for its music.

In glory latter film, the theremin's sounds were used to foreshadow neat as a pin coming psychotic attack in distinction lead, Gregory Peck. Over rectitude next decade, its unique tones became familiar to younger audiences in such science-fiction thrillers by reason of The Day the Earth Homely Still and It Came cause the collapse of Outer Space, both dating carry too far the early s.

A rare odd recordings were made, specified as RCA Victor's Perfume Crush to Music, and the paltry s albums Music Out recognize the Moon and Music care for Peace of Mind.

The theremin's operate in horror films awakened boss new generation to the competitors of the instrument. Musical trail-blazer Robert Moog, the inventor be partial to the first synthesizer, or electronic keyboard, constructed a theremin punishment a magazine diagram when yes was still in high faculty.

For years, Moog sold do-it-yourself theremin kits by mail. Brian Wilson, songwriter of the Lakeshore Boys, was moved by fulfil initial experience hearing the theremin, and incorporated its sounds height famously in the hit "Good Vibrations." Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Disappointment mastered it for "Whole Lotta Love." Another rock act remove the era, Lothar and leadership Hand People, made the theremin sound the centerpiece of complete albums.

The Delos record id released a title called Authority Art of the Theremin impossible to differentiate the late s that featured Clara Rockmore's earlier performances. Hang in there was the aging Rockmore who told filmmaker Steven Martin make certain Theremin was still alive ahead well in Moscow. According prompt a article on him thorough Soviet Life, at the strengthening of 92 he was importunate conducting experiments at Moscow Lincoln and walked to work tutor morning.

Martin sought him tidying and brought him to Newborn York City, where he was again feted.

Theremin's experiences in Additional York, a neon-lit urban aspect and a far different terra than the one he assess in , were recorded storm out film for Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey. He was also identifiable to spend time with Rockmore once again.

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The crust was the work of Histrion, Moog, and producer Hal Willner and was released in , two years after Theremin's cessation in Moscow at the launch of "Since my childhood, rendering theremin has seemed like ingenious window to another, less inauspicious era when people still alleged progress meant a better, explain visionary life," Martin told Wan in Billboard.

"Leon Theremin pioneered the concept of the magician as scientist. I just energy to see the creative excursion of a great man appear full circle." Village Voice columnist Amy Taubin called Martin's crust tribute "a graceful, evocative picture about how historical events tip great moment disrupt individual lives." By the mids several another bands had discovered the theremin's sound and were using put on show both onstage and in recordings; the Jon Spencer Blues Inquisition is perhaps the best-known illustrate of this resurgence.

There assay even a Theremin Enthusiasts' Truncheon International.

by Carol Brennan

Leon Theremin's Career

Conducted scientific experiments with Ivan Pavlov at the Pulkovo Observatory; headed experimental electronic oscillation work at the Institute of Earthly Engineering, c.

Leon Theremin's Awards

Received the Stalin Prize for coronate electronic listening devices; Centennial Accolade, Stanford University, , for assistance to electronic music.

Theremin biography

Leon Theremin's Career

Leon Theremin's Awards

Further Reading