The theremin, invented by Russian physicist Léon Theremin in 1920, is a unique electronic musical instrument that is played by moving the hands around two antennas to control the pitch and volume of the sound. Despite its unusual playing technique, the theremin has captured the imagination of musicians around the world and has been used in a wide range of musical genres, from classical to experimental to pop. Over the years, many talented and innovative musicians have mastered the art of playing the theremin, creating a rich and diverse history of theremin music.
In this article, we will explore the contributions of 20 of the most famous and influential theremin players of all time. From Clara Rockmore, who was considered the world’s greatest theremin virtuoso and helped to popularize the instrument in the United States, to contemporary artists like Carolina Eyck and Dorit Chrysler, who have pushed the boundaries of the theremin’s capabilities, these musicians have helped to establish the theremin as a unique and compelling instrument in the world of music.
Through their performances, recordings, and collaborations with other musicians, these 20 famous theremin players have left an indelible mark on the history of music and continue to inspire new generations of theremin players and music lovers alike.
1. Leon Theremin
Leon Theremin was a Russian inventor and musician who created one of the first electronic musical instruments, the theremin. He was also the first to perform using the theremin, a device that produces sound by detecting the position of the performer’s hands in the air. Theremin’s playing style was characterized by fluid and expressive movements, producing a haunting and ethereal sound. He became known for his performances in both classical and popular music, as well as for his contributions to the development of electronic music.
2. Carolina Eyck
Carolina Eyck is a German musician and theremin player known for her virtuosic playing and innovative use of the instrument. She has been playing the theremin since the age of seven and has developed a unique playing style that blends classical technique with experimental and improvisational elements. Eyck has performed with orchestras and ensembles around the world and has released several albums showcasing the range of the theremin’s capabilities. She is also an advocate for the theremin, teaching and promoting the instrument through workshops and performances. Eyck’s playing is characterized by a delicate and nuanced touch, creating a sound that is both haunting and beautiful.
3. Clara Rockmore
Clara Rockmore was a Lithuanian-born musician and theremin virtuoso, known for her pioneering work in developing the technique and musical potential of the theremin. She was a close collaborator of its inventor, Leon Theremin, and worked with him to refine the instrument’s design and improve its playability. Rockmore’s playing was characterized by her technical mastery and ability to evoke a range of emotions through the instrument’s expressive capabilities. She also composed music for the theremin and performed with orchestras and ensembles around the world.
4. Armen Ra
Armen Ra is an American musician and theremin player, known for his unique and theatrical approach to the instrument. He has performed with a range of artists and ensembles, blending the theremin’s eerie and otherworldly sound with elements of opera, cabaret, and avant-garde music. Armen Ra’s playing style is characterized by his flamboyant stage presence and dramatic use of the theremin’s pitch and volume controls, creating a sound that is both haunting and mesmerizing. He has also worked as an advocate for the theremin, promoting its use and educating audiences about its history and potential.
5. Améthyste Spardel
Améthyste Spardel is a French musician and theremin player, known for her ethereal and experimental approach to the instrument. Her playing style is characterized by her use of extended techniques, such as vocalizations and percussive sounds, in addition to the theremin’s traditional playing techniques. She creates a unique sonic atmosphere that blends the theremin’s haunting and otherworldly sound with elements of ambient and experimental music. Spardel has performed at festivals and venues around the world, and has released several albums showcasing her innovative use of the theremin.
6. Dorit Chrysler
Dorit Chrysler is an Austrian musician and theremin player based in New York City. She is known for her versatile and dynamic approach to the instrument, incorporating elements of rock, pop, and experimental music into her playing style. Chrysler has collaborated with a range of artists and has performed at festivals and venues around the world. She is also the founder of the New York Theremin Society, a group dedicated to promoting and educating audiences about the instrument. Chrysler’s playing is characterized by her expressive use of the theremin’s pitch and volume controls, creating a sound that is both captivating and dynamic.
7. Barbara Buchholz
Barbara Buchholz is a German theremin player known for her unique approach to the instrument, combining classical training with a passion for experimental music. Her performances showcase her virtuosity, as she uses the theremin to create a wide range of sounds and textures, from haunting melodies to noisy, abstract compositions. Buchholz has collaborated with a diverse range of musicians and artists, including electronic music pioneer Karlheinz Stockhausen and performance artist Laurie Anderson.
8. Peter Pringle
Peter Pringle is a Canadian theremin player who has been called “the world’s foremost theremin virtuoso.” He has performed extensively around the world, showcasing his mastery of the instrument in both classical and contemporary contexts. Pringle’s playing is characterized by its expressiveness and technical precision, as he uses the theremin to create a range of sounds, from delicate, lyrical passages to bold, powerful melodies. He is also an accomplished composer and has written a number of pieces for the theremin, as well as other instruments.
9. Lydia Kavina
Lydia Kavina is a Russian-born theremin player who is widely regarded as one of the foremost practitioners of the instrument. She comes from a family of theremin players and was trained by Lev Termen, the inventor of the theremin. Kavina has performed as a soloist with many orchestras and has collaborated with a variety of musicians, including the experimental rock band Radiohead. Her playing is marked by its emotional intensity and expressiveness, as she uses the theremin to create a wide range of sounds, from haunting melodies to abstract, avant-garde compositions.
10. Gabby La La
Gabby La La is an American musician known for her eclectic style and use of the theremin in her performances. Her music combines elements of psychedelic rock, world music, and avant-garde experimentation. La La’s theremin playing is characterized by its melodic and expressive qualities, which she combines with her unique vocals and eclectic instrumentation. In addition to the theremin, she also plays a variety of other instruments, including the ukulele, sitar, and toy piano. La La has collaborated with a number of musicians, including Les Claypool of Primus and the Flaming Lips.
11. Steve Burnett
Steve Burnett is an American theremin player who is known for his improvisational style and use of the instrument in experimental and avant-garde contexts. His playing is marked by its expressive and emotional qualities, as he uses the theremin to create a wide range of sounds, from delicate and haunting melodies to noisy, abstract compositions. Burnett has collaborated with a variety of musicians and artists, and has performed in venues ranging from concert halls to art galleries.
12. Katica Illenyi
Katica Illenyi is a Hungarian violinist and theremin player who is known for her virtuosic playing and ability to blend classical and contemporary styles. Her theremin playing is characterized by its lyrical and expressive qualities, as she uses the instrument to create a range of sounds, from delicate and ethereal melodies to bold and powerful passages. Illenyi has performed as a soloist with many orchestras and has collaborated with a variety of musicians and artists from around the world. In addition to her work as a theremin player, she is also an accomplished classical violinist and composer.
13. Thorwald Jorgensen
Thorwald Jorgensen is a contemporary theremin player from the Netherlands, known for his virtuosic performances and innovative use of technology in his music. Jorgensen combines classical training with modern techniques, incorporating live looping and digital effects to create rich and dynamic soundscapes. His performances range from traditional classical pieces to experimental electronic music, often incorporating improvisation and collaboration with other musicians. He has performed internationally, and has been recognized for his contributions to the theremin community through workshops and educational programs.
14. Lev Sergeyevich Termen
Lev Sergeyevich Termen, also known as Léon Theremin, was a pioneering Russian inventor and musician who is credited with inventing the theremin in 1920. He became famous for his performances on the instrument, which uses electromagnetic fields to produce sound without physical contact. Termen’s contributions to music and technology extended beyond the theremin, including the invention of the first electronic instrument, the termenvox, and various other devices used in espionage and surveillance during World War II. He lived a fascinating life, and his impact on electronic music and modern technology continues to be felt today.
15. Randy George
Randy George is a prominent theremin player based in the United States, known for his unique blend of classical and contemporary music. George has performed in many countries and has recorded several albums, showcasing his mastery of the theremin’s range and expressiveness. He has also collaborated with various artists and ensembles, showcasing the theremin’s versatility in different musical genres. George has contributed to the development of the theremin community through teaching and workshops.
16. Masami Takeuchi
Masami Takeuchi is a Japanese theremin player who has gained international recognition for her captivating performances. Takeuchi’s playing style combines a delicate touch with a deep emotional expression, creating a unique and beautiful sound. She has collaborated with various artists and has performed in many festivals and events worldwide. Takeuchi has also contributed to the theremin community through teaching and workshops, passing on her skills and knowledge to the next generation of theremin players. Her contributions to the theremin’s development and promotion have made her an influential figure in the instrument’s history.
17. Grégoire Blanc
Grégoire Blanc is a French theremin player who has gained recognition for his innovative approach to the instrument. Blanc’s performances often incorporate various styles and genres, ranging from classical to electronic music, showcasing the versatility of the theremin. He has collaborated with different musicians and artists, expanding the horizons of the theremin’s musical potential. Blanc has also contributed to the development of the theremin community through workshops and educational programs.
18. Peter Pringle
Peter Pringle is a Canadian theremin player known for his captivating performances and deep knowledge of the theremin’s history. Pringle’s playing style blends classical and contemporary techniques, showcasing the theremin’s unique sound and expressiveness. He has performed internationally and has recorded several albums, including original compositions and interpretations of classical pieces. Pringle is also a music historian and researcher, with a particular interest in the theremin’s history and its impact on modern music. His contributions to the theremin’s development and promotion have made him an influential figure in the instrument’s history.
19. Pamelia Stickney
Pamelia Stickney is a highly acclaimed musician and composer known for her unique style of playing the theremin, an electronic musical instrument controlled without physical contact. Stickney has been praised for her ability to produce an astonishing range of sounds and effects on the theremin, creating everything from haunting melodies to rhythmic beats and even imitating the sounds of other instruments. In addition to her solo work, Stickney has collaborated with a wide range of artists and musicians across various genres, including jazz, rock, and classical music. Her innovative approach to the theremin has earned her a dedicated following and cemented her status as one of the instrument’s most skilled performers.
20. Scott Robinson
Scott Robinson is an American multi-instrumentalist who is known for his virtuosic playing and versatility across a range of instruments, including the theremin. Robinson’s approach to the theremin is deeply rooted in jazz and improvisation, incorporating the instrument’s unique capabilities into his compositions and improvisations. He has collaborated with various artists and ensembles, and has performed internationally. Robinson has also contributed to the development of the theremin community through teaching and workshops, sharing his knowledge and experience with the next generation of theremin players. His contributions to the instrument’s development have made him a respected figure in the music industry.
Macey West is a frequent contributor to Singers Room. Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
