This evening I videotaped a very interesting documentary on the life of
Leon Theremin, a Russian scientist who invented the Theremin in 1922, the
birth of the first known electronic musical instrument.  From it emerged
the Moog Synthesizer and all its derivatives.  I wonder if others among
us caught it.

Very interesting story about his efforts in New York City 1925 through to
1945 trying to establish the Theremin as a serious musical instrument.
He designed a number of adaptations of it in other forms, such as one
bearing a stylized image of a cello, while another depended on a dancer
making music with full body motions, and yet another 10 Theremin
orchestra.

In 1945, he was abducted right out of his New York studio in front of his
class by people believed to be Russian agents.  He was not heard of again
for many years and he was presumed executed by the Russians at that time.
As it turns out he was thrust into a labour camp for a number of years,
then plucked out to work with the KGB on counter-espionage projects
involving enhancement of delicate audio recordings of secret
conversations.

Eventually he worked for 10 years at the Moscow Conservatory of Music
where by chance he was recognized by a visiting New York Times reporter
who wrote a feature article that caused much turmoil in Moscow.  In
retaliation, he was fired from the Conservatory and all his instruments
destroyed by the State.

Clara Rockmore, a Theremin Virtuoso heavily interviewed throughout the
documentary, is possibly still living.  In it she performs the instrument
in a number of concerts, including a private concert just for Mr. Theremin
in 1991, on an instrument given to her by him in 1925.

An interview with Robert Moog indicates there was an article [undated in
the documentary] published in Radio and Television News, "Build a
Theremin", by Ernest J. Shultz.  Moog himself later wrote another article
[again undated] "How to Build a Theremin".  He stated he had built many
theremins, mostly tube type, but a few fully transistorized.

Prof. Theremin died 3 November 1993 at age 97 in Moscow, shortly after
being interviewed on film on his past life and accomplishments.  Part of
that interview took place in the Glinka Music Museum in Moscow where in
the background can be seen a large upright disk music box, several player
pianos, and what looks like an 88n Vorsetzer.

Very interesting documentary, 90 minutes long containing much more than
I've mentioned here.

Terry Smythe

 [ See also Digest 970619, 970623, 970627 (Player Theremin).  -- Robbie