Customer Reviews

The Art Of The Theremin

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Imagine a virtuoso soprano with an unlimited upper range. Imagine a violin with the lower range of a cello. Imagine an instrument that allows for every nuance, for every slight embellishment, for every dynamic flourishment imaginiable.

This album consists of plain piano and plain theramin - no other orchestration.

The Theramin, as proved by Clara Rockmore, is capable of soaring song, of delicate melody, of pure expression.

Rockmore's performance is a pure joy and a testament to the versatility of the instrument. When she takes off in the higher registers, the only thing missing is diction. But she more than amply supplies it with her exploration of all the registers this instrument is capable of - she is also capable of exploring the theramin as a contralto.

This is an extraordinary album and well worth the price paid. Were it not for synthesizers and whatnot, the theramin would be envied as an instrument for virtuoso musicians.

As a family member, I will not write a review of this album but rather provide a reflection upon Clara and her sister the pianist Nadia Reisenberg who perform together on this album. Even as a young kid sitting in Clara's Manhattan living room while the two sisters practiced these and other pieces, I was aware of the love between them that infuses every measure of what you hear. Clara and Nadia were musically inseparable. With the perennial Russian teas and cakes adding an aromatic backdrop, the ethereal sounds created a sensory-scape that could only be forged through long lives of shared love, respect and understanding between two people. This album represents much more than two virtuosi at the peak of their careers. This album is about connection between two people and the music they love, and between one another. Perhaps, this is a less known reason why people respond so emotionally to this album. I have witnessed how the music and the emotions that helped to create it are one and the same. Enjoy.

This is, in my opinion, THE theremin recording to have in your collection. Ms. Rockmore's touch on the instrument is unbelievable. Her command of dynamics and pitch on this notoriously difficult instrument is impeccable, all the more considering that this was recorded when she was 76 years old! We can only wonder what it was like to see and hear her in the 1930s and 1940s, when Ms. Rockmore played the Theremin as a soloist with symphony orchestras.

On this recording, she is only accompanied by the sensitive piano playing of her sister, Nadia Reisenberg. The result is a quiet, intimate recording that ably showcases Ms. Rockmore's ability to serve the music through the instrument she so obviously loved. Ms. Rockmore treats the music with the touch of a true virtuosa. On any instrument, a performance this good would be amazing. On the theremin, the music attains a magical quality that's impossible to describe in words.

This is far from a novelty recording, and should be in the collection of any serious music lover.

Clara Rockmore was, up until her death in 1998, the foremost theremin virtuosa living at that time. She was introduced to the theremin by its inventior, Leon Theremin (Russian: Lev Sergeyevich Termen). As a violinst, she recognised the great potential of the instrument. Setting the violin aside, she created an entire technique and approach to the instrument that was wholly unique. She showed that it was truly possible for it to be something other than a sound effect machine for Hollywood. By performing the classical repertoire upon it, she showed what was truly possible with this magical instrument.

It is by far the most difficult instrument to play. The thereminist has absolutely no tactile references whatsoever. Absolutely perfect pitch is required. The sounds are created by moving one's hands nearer to or farther from the antennae, one to control pitch and the other to control volume and timbre. When one realised the difficulties of this instrument, her performance is made all the more remarkable. She shares with us her great artistry. It is a pity that not more recordings were made of her. Nevertheless, this recording is absolutely wonderful and to anyone who is interested in hearing classical music from a new vantage point, I would reccommend this recording without reserve.

Rockmore's control over this exceedingly difficult instrument is almost superhuman. Each note is perfectly shaped, and the transitions between notes are as clean as on a conventional instrument. This is due to Rockmore's mastery of "aerial fingering," explained in the enclosed booklet, a fiendishly difficult technique in which she rapidly moved her left hand into the volume control antenna to silence the instrument for the brief moment while she moved her right hand to the next note. This is accomplished smoothly and flawlessly, with no discernable intervening pitches. The instrument sounds at times like a violin, other times resembling the human voice, especially in the higher registers.

My only qualm with this CD is that there is not enough variety between the pieces chosen. The similar tempos and styles render them virtually indistinguishable. Approaching the CD as a 64-minute surreal meditation, rather than 14 distinct compositions would probably help. In any case, the playing is so phenomenal as to eclipse any criticism of the chosen program.

The enclosed article by Robert Moog covers the careers of both Rockmore and Theremin, with a history of the instrument and a detailed description of its operation.

This recording is the definitive standard by which all other theremin recordings will be judged.
To put it succinctly, it is marvelous!
Howard Mossman
Swarthmore, Pa.

I also play the Theremin professionally. It is very difficult to hit any note dead on. People say that you can tell a Theremin player is playing off key because his hands are moving. Yet Ms Rockmore hits the notes dead on time after time. In fact, it is very difficult (I hesitate to say impossible) to find a mistake anywhere in this album. All this, combined with the selection of music and the piano accompanyment, make this a pleasent listening experience.

If you're not familiar with the theremin you'll probably recognize it as one of the key special effects instruments in early sci-fi movies. The theremin is so much more than this, especially in the hands of Ms. Rockmore.

Accompanied by the piano, Ms. Rockmore reaches new heights with the first electronic instrument invented. Absolutely amazing.

Since becoming entranced by this instrument through the barrage of sci-fi flicks and "b" movies of my youth I never believed this instrument of antiquity would sound like this! Clara Rockmore is a genious with the heart and soul of an angel! Please don't let this one pass you by!

A remarkable disc featuring the eerie and hypnotizing oscillations of the world's first electronic instrument. Stunning!