The waiting game.

Posted: 3/4/2009 4:10:00 PM
Stormdog

From: Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States

Joined: 2/28/2009

So my B3 Deluxe is on it's way to me, but it's not going to show up until Friday! I suppose in the meantime, I have naught to do but occupy my time with Theremin videos. So I thought I'd ask you all; what's your favorite theremin related video out there in the big world of the inter-tubes?

I've been watching Thomas Grillo's six volumes of theremin lesson and greatly enjoying them, though I'm sure they'll click better once I'm in front of one of my own. I love his concert on the B3 that's out there too, especially the Moonlight Sonata which is about my favorite piece of music ever ever ever. *grins*

I also liked Randy George's cover of Daft Punk's "Something About Us" so much that I bought the MP3 from his site to play in my car! I love the integration of the various bits of tech he uses, and I keep getting a kick out of the Nintendo DS part! (That's at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bkp9bDGDd1w) His rendition of the Legend of Zelda theme is cute too, for a classic video game buff like me.

I've been watching some of the recordings of Clara Rockmore that are out there too, of course, as well as most of the other stuff I can find.

So out of all the content that's out there, what are your favorites?



Posted: 3/4/2009 5:14:10 PM
ether-jean

From: Nantes - FRANCE

Joined: 2/26/2009

i currently work on a youtube central channel called "allabouttheremin" in order to collect videos about theremins (performances, historical documents, tips ans technical stuffs). http://www.youtube.com/allabouttheremin

Maybe you will find some coll videos....It's just a beginning, so... be patient ;)
Posted: 3/4/2009 6:13:00 PM
GordonC

From: Croxley Green, Hertfordshire, UK

Joined: 10/5/2005

Here's my little list of "youtube videos I direct people to if they ask about the theremin".

Carolina Eyck (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xeq6dN_YS-g)
Barbara Buchholz (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXDzDV_f1jw)
Lydia Kavina (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn4TgYkqdi8)
Celia Sheen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTZK9FNgK74)
Posted: 7/18/2012 9:25:51 PM
DOMINIK

From: germany, kiel

Joined: 5/10/2007

Randy George:
http://youtu.be/Bkp9bDGDd1w
http://youtu.be/nMshU5ql3vI

definitely not my favourite, but ..
http://youtu.be/bMm0lotUs9s

Street music:
http://youtu.be/87movIAGjao
http://youtu.be/dM34WjeV3s8 

Gordon:
http://youtu.be/7zfRSuUS92E 

Amethyste:
http://youtu.be/vMOxMWCgfU8

Posted: 7/19/2012 12:02:15 AM
coalport

From: Canada

Joined: 8/1/2008

.........and not even so much as a mention of Clara Rockmore!

Just goes t' showya, ain't no accountin' fer taste!

Posted: 7/19/2012 1:55:24 AM
kkissinger

From: Kansas City, Mo.

Joined: 8/23/2005

Definately seek out recordings and videos of Clara Rockmore.  Even if classical music isn't your thing, to familiarize yourself with Clara's theremin playing establishes a point of reference as well as sets a high artistic standard.

For me personally, to see Clara's video was inspiring -- to see how she bravely leaps to the high notes -- to see the authority with which she plays -- is awe inspiring.

Posted: 7/19/2012 7:57:50 AM
gtc

Joined: 3/30/2012

.........and not even so much as a mention of Clara Rockmore!

Stormdog said "I've been watching some of the recordings of Clara Rockmore that are out there too, of course,".

Posted: 7/19/2012 10:12:05 AM
FredM

From: Eastleigh, Hampshire, U.K. ................................... Fred Mundell. ................................... Electronics Engineer. (Primarily Analogue) .. CV Synths 1974-1980 .. Theremin developer 2007 to present .. soon to be Developing / Trading as WaveCrafter.com . ...................................

Joined: 12/7/2007

.........and not even so much as a mention of Clara Rockmore!

I think (apart from the fact that Stormdog mentioned Clara) that people have listed videos a "newbee" may not easily find unless directed. Anyone browsing TW is likely to have come across links to Clara Rockmore, Peter Pringle and Lydia Kavina (IMO,  probably the three greatest thereminists who have lived)

IMO, for perfection, Clara is unbeatable and Peter never shows anything sus-standard.. But I think I enjoy and learn most from Lydia's performances - because, at times (rarely), one sees a "not quite perfect" performance from her - I think one can sometimes learn more from seeing a good player make a mistake, than from always seeing "perfection".

Also, watching (at workshops) Lydia move from theremin to theremin and just instantly play them well, is the most impressive thing - I am not berating anyone here, but most "good" thereminists understandably seem to stick with their preferred (high end) theremin/s.. Seeing that they can play even a Gakken well is impressive!

My favorite theremin videos are probably these: (theremin and Vulcan Harp by PP) - or at least these are "different" - not sure about "favorite" - some of the recent TM stuff and most of the other stuff are breathtaking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRfbWrI03gc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmQsrFDDoZ4

I love the harp so enjoy watching these videos - but sadly the 2nd video does not show the theremin being played.

Then I found this performance (Lydia, Berlin 2012) interesting and enjoyable, if a bit strange (at first listening I thought Lydia was off-key.. but by the end I didnt think so - and 2nd listening was fine to my ears..)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49gZ2Mt0BS8&feature=relmfu

Fred.

Posted: 7/19/2012 11:07:22 AM
coalport

From: Canada

Joined: 8/1/2008

I have heard people say that the greatest theremin player who ever approached the rod & ring is Jimmy Page. When someone says this I always ask, "What about Clara Rockmore?!" The reply is usually, "WHO?"

When I hear theremin playing, I like to hear a sound that could only be a theremin. The late Celia Sheen, for example, was an excellent player and fine musician but when I hear her play the MIDSOMER MURDERS theme I hear nothing "thereministic" in the performance. Although her playing is accurate and highly professional, what I hear could far more easily (and perhaps more effectively) have been played on a kazoo or a pan pipe. 

I don't mean this as a put down of the late Miss Sheen, she was a fine musician and I am certain she was only doing what the composer (oboe player Jim Parker) wanted her to do, which was to give a sort of weird, sideshow calliope feel to the theme. 

I guess what I am saying in the context of this thread is that it would never occur to me to direct someone with an interest in the theremin to the MIDSOMER MURDERS theme so they could hear what theremin playing sounds like. 

I shall refrain from boring everyone with my thoughts on the theremin & Rocktron "Banshee" Talkbox!

...no "right" or "wrong" in any of this....just personal thoughts and reactions. 

 

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