Theremin CD recommendations

Hello everyone, this is my first post!  Although I have heard the Theremin in old 1950's scary movies on television for many years, I never before associated it as a musical instrument.  Cut to the third season of American Horror Story and the delightfully eccentric character of Myrtle Snow who loved the "celestial tones" of the Theremin, and I was intrigued as to Robert Moog's instrument.

I then began my education, and learned of the virtuoso Clara Rockmore and purchased her Lost Album, got some fun jazz infusion with Project: Pimento's two Theremin lounge jazz CD's, got the sound sampler Secret Agents From The Id by Thomas Grillo, and have currently ordered the apparently now harder to find Art Of The Theremin by Ms. Rockmore.  I like the work of Armen Ra, but found I'm not a fan of the accompanying instrumentation.  I also bought the DVD of Theremin An Electronic Odyssey.  Interesting movie, but I learned from Wikipedia that the film seemed to gloss over some of the events of Leonard Theremin's life.

What other classic or current Theremin artists would a fan of this instrument recommend for CD purchase for those who enjoy listening to the Theremin? I intend to purchase one of my own in another year or so when I can afford it, but in the meantime I can enjoy the sounds through CD.  Thanks!

There are more theremin CD’s on the market today than at any time since the instrument was introduced in 1929 but you should be guided by the genre of music that interests you. 

The best thing to do is watch YouTube videos, and be guided by what you enjoy. There are, for example, two brand new CD’s of theremin/piano improvisations. One of them is SECRET WORLD (thereminist Amethyste Spardel and pianist Doug Hammer) and the other is IMPROVISATIONS (thereminist Carolina Eyck and pianist Christopher Tarnow).

These two recordings are as different as night and day. The only way to know which of them might be to your liking is to dip in and have a taste! You may not fancy either one of these albums but there are dozens of other choices out there for fans of the instrument. 

Hard to believe that 15 years ago there was only one widely available theremin CD on the market: Clara Rockmore’s THE ART OF THE THEREMIN but even that is not everyone’s cup of heterodyne tea.

Thanks for the suggestions, I've been scouring the options available on Amazon and learned a few things about my tastes in the Theremin.  First and foremost, that I absolutely can't stand out there experimental music with the Thermin.  I run away from that like a cat does from a bubble bath, lol!  I seem to prefer the Theremin used as either a classical instrument or on the more fun end, as lounge or jazz music.

I've just ordered the 2008 CD Theremins of Mystery by Blake Jones.  This apparently was just an experimental period for him using the Theremin, but what he did is enjoyable for me.

Secret World (I am the thereminist) is not experimental. It is melodious and well thought out, sensitive and very soothing. But then again, you will have to listen to it to make your own opinion :) Secret World was voted best New age alternative album of 2014 from BT Fasmer (New Age Music Odyssey).

http://btfasmer.com/2014/12/15/best-alternative-new-age-music-album-2014/

here we are on amazon :)

http://www.amazon.com/Secret-World-Doug-Hammer/dp/B00O10K0PA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1420930789&sr=8-2&keywords=secret+world+amethyste

Ha!!! Just found out that Amazon listed our theremin and piano CD "Secret World" at #10 in the "Hot New Release in New Age Music" 15 mins ago!!!

Who knew that the theremin would get recognition? I am thrilled :)

"Secret World (I am the thereminist) is not experimental."

I was speaking in general, not towards your CD creation. Sorry I wasn't clear on that.  I have found per the Theremin that I personally seem to gravitate primarily towards sounds that are either classical or jazz oriented, and generally speaking not experimental, soundscape, new age, or spiritual.  That's just me though, it doesn't speak to the quality of anyone who enjoys creating in those mediums or who finds enjoyment in their sounds.

"Ha!!! Just found out that Amazon listed our theremin and piano CD "Secret World" at #10 in the "Hot New Release in New Age Music" 15 mins ago!!!

Who knew that the theremin would get recognition? I am thrilled :)"

Congratulations!

Hello Ian :)

I understand what you meant, I think I wanted to clarify that the project we did was not experimental. What I liked about it is that this project was completely improvised, we never rehearsed anything which was something new out there of some sorts... :)

Thank you for the kind words :)

PS:I monitor the reviews on Amazon for "Secret World" and saw you pointed out (by letting people know on their own reviews) that Nadia and Clara did piano and theremin together, so what we did wasn't unique nor new. I understand what you are trying to say, but what we did were complete improvisations and we didn't re-play other musician's music ( like the Swan, etc). We did something very different from what Nadia and Clara did ~ which is exactly why we did improvs... We didn't want to copy what has been done before.

Amethyste, how much self-adulation can one do???

... By saying that we are #10 spot on the "Hot new release" chart on Amazon or that our album won 2014 best alternative new age CD on Music New Age Odyssey I suffer from self adulation? Seriously, these "awards" are real and not fabricated...

Thierry, you just cannot say anything nice to me, right? If it was Carolina or anyone else "worthy" of your adoration, you'd be so happy and praise them. But since you despise me, you just choose to be rude and condescending.  

Whatever...

"how much self-adulation can one do???" - Thierry

ROFLMAO!!

 Pot vs kettle..

Congratulations Amey!  ;-)