Thereminute
I was first introduced to the eerie but beautiful sounds of the theramin as a child. I would rush home from elementary school and slide into the living room and in front of the TV, hoping to arrive in time to hear the opening strains of the theme from Dark Shadows. That strange, unearthly wail haunted my nights for reasons I didn't understand.
Oddmusic has an introduction to this early electronic instrument, the invention of Russian physicist Lev Sergeivitch Termen. While it is best known today as a melodic sound effect device, it is capable of producing lovely and tempered sounds, similar to a violin or viola. Sadly, there are few opportunities today to hear a serious performance on the instrument.
There is a documentary about the instrument and its inventor: Theremin, an Electronic Odyssey. It's a remarkably touching story, covering the evolution of the instrument, the disappearance of its inventor, and a performance by Clara Rockwell, Termen's one-time lover and protegé.
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Clara Rockmore's Theremin performance of "The Swan" (Saint-Saëns) is equisite. I still have the LP from whence it comes (Shirleigh and Robert Moog Present Clara Rockmore, Theremin, "Premiere Artiste" of the Electronic Music Medium with Nadia Resienber, Piano (yes, I am looking at it as I type). I don't recall how I ran across it, but it's been a fun keeper.
FWIW, it lives between The Residents Present the Third Reich 'N Roll and Biff Rose, Half Live at the Bitter End, which is somehow fun in the way alphabetization makes for interesting shelfmates.
p.s. Find the missing close paren, etc.
There are actually two CDs out now of the recordings Clara Rockmore made with her sister at the piano.
'The Art Of The Theremin',
and last year's release,
'Clara Rockmore's Lost Theremin Album'.
For other classical performances on the theremin you may want to hear Lydia Kavina's recordings as well.
hope that helps.
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