There is nothing more exquisite than when one conversation can lead to many new ideas that link with each other. Above all, if it is a conversation that builds interest in things we don’t know enough about. If we think better, every interaction can be on the purpose of learning something, every second we see good examples, also bad ones, and if you are lucky, you can conclude what the message of each action you encounter is. However, focused guidance is even better. It is an important and valuable characteristic of people who want to progress and at the same time want to see other people flourishing in the topic. Those who eagerly pass on their knowledge to other people and find pleasure in it. The learning part is the same exciting, especially when it comes to the investigation part.
So it happened that I started to search a bit around one kind of music that is out of my domination trying to find answers about the purpose of the creation of it. I wanted to know when it happened, who were the pioneers, where, etc. Reading in the mass of information that sounds like a completely new world for me where I need a good compass, I found one familiar word. Theremin. Wait, theremin? One of the first musical electronic musical instruments, and I know it just because my niece recently bought one theremin!! I was a bit calmer, finally, something coming from this world, although in my opinion, the sound of that instrument is reminiscent of an alien sound. You don't even have to touch anything, but of course, one has to know how to play, as we see in it the photo where Carolina Eyck is showing the finger positions how to play a scale on theremin. Well, we can listen to the sound of that instrument right now, where this same theremin player - Carolina Eyck is performing one of my most favorite classical works for piano and voice. Vocalise, by the composer Sergei Rachmaninoff:
video source: Carolina Eyck playing Vocalise by Sergei Rachmaninoff
But how did this instrument happen to be invented and by who? Was it an alien or an ordinary man? A man, of course, but not an ordinary one, but a physicist and a musician at the same time - Leon Theremin. An inventor who at his young age was already exploring, having his own laboratory at home. He was making experiments with high-frequency circuits, optics, and magnetic fields. In 1920, he invented an instrument that would measure some properties of gas, but he added also audio circuitry to the device. It was emitting an audible tone when it took a reading, but not just to dielectric constant of gases. It also showed audio reactions when people were around. I suppose that he liked the feature and the sound, so he was working on it and prepared to be shown in public. After some years of touring across Europe showing his invention (called before Etherophone), he took it to the United States and patented it in 1928.
Léon Theremin demonstrating his invention
So, as we can see, this instrument is composed of a box and two antennas. Seems so simple structure, but I feel great admiration for those who can play it, as the sound is produced without touching physically any of the parts of it. The right antenna, with is straight and vertical, is used to control the pitch; the closer you get to the antenna, the higher tones are produced. The other, left antenna, is of rounded shape and horizontal. When the left hand if close to it, the volume is lower and how the player elevates the hand, it becomes louder. I asked my niece did she try and how learning to play is improving. Well, attending two different universities, not much time is left for practicing this instrument. At the moment, we have to be satisfied with the videos from this beautiful soul, Carolina. She is a German artist who was introduced to this instrument when she was seven years old. She developed her own technique, called the 8 finger position technique. And not just that. She states how important is to have and develop our inner harmony, at least becoming more in harmony with ourselves while practicing an instrument. In the following TEDx video, we can have more information on how the instrument is played and what she does to bring magic from it.
When I was checking her website, I came across released albums with classical music but also with her new, experimental music. Many include voice and theremin, and surely I want to listen to all of that. However, what got my special attention was one single released in 2020, Northern Lights. An 8-minute long track, that started as an improvisation. She was using binaural technology, which she was experimenting with since 2019. I like to see the visuals too, but who receives music better with closed eyes, well, that is the way then to listen to it.
Although, I liked, even more, another track of hers. Ocean. It is a live recording from 2019 (from Princeton, USA) , the same year she started to experiment with binaural recording. Not to analyze the method of recording or structure of this Ambiental work, I could just add that I can hear dolphins, maybe other animals too living somewhere in the depth of the ocean, coming sometimes up to see the light. Communication between them in a respectful way. Harmony for sure, that she was talking about in her video. Pity it ends so quickly, 4 and a half minutes is not enough of that sound, so I just repeat it :) Would you do the same? If not this Ocean, then other albums and tracks can be found here. Be in harmony while exploring!! I will do it, and probably find some more sound treasure coming out from Caroline's expression through the theremin.
