An electronic odyssey is more than just the story of a novel noisemaking gadget. An electronic odyssey stars clara rockmore, robert moog, nicolas slonimsky, paul shure the pg movie has a runtime of about 1 hr 23 min, and received a score. An electronic odyssey is a documentary on both the theremin, the instrument, and prof. His life story and his great seal bug invention were featured in a 2012 episode of the dark matters. Cue the dvd so that it will start at the beginning of the movie without. Martin writes and directs this intriguing documentary about a mans strange music and his very interesting life. But at the height of his popularity, soviet agents kidnap and force him to develop spy technology. An electronic odyssey, we see clips of leon theremin from the 20s and 30s, standing before his instrument with burning eyes, a trim. An electronic odyssey, a fascinating documentary about leon theremin and his invention the theremin, a simple box of tubes and antennae that helped introduce modern. Theremin, electronic musical instrument invented in 1920 in the soviet union by leon theremin also called lev termen. An electronic odyssey dvd, 2001 if youre a theremin lover like i am and you are seeking for more information, historical and developmental facts, lots of great scenes of the creator himself and of all the great artists that have played the theremin, then you must get this one. The uncut version of the film contains a segment from the mickey mouse club that is. An electronic odyssey revolves around leon theremin, the genius scientistartist who revolutionized modern music with his invention of the.
Anyone who has ever seen a horror or science fiction film from the 50s, or heard. An electronic odyssey, the 1993 documentary that helped precipitate a renaissance for. The device that bears his name produced a strange, undulating, alternately threatening and soothing sound that didnt exist in nature, noted a new york times writer, and when it was first used in classical music compositions during the. This movie had footage of leon theremin, brian wilson in the lead roles of the film. A documentary about the amazing life of leon theremin, inventor of the theremin, the electronic musical instrument so beloved of 50s scifi movie music. It introduced a new generation of musicians to the instrument and raised theremin. The scientist, whose name was leon theremin, was not mad. Theremins article about theremins by the free dictionary. An electronic odyssey contributed mightily to a resurgence of interest in the device. Theremin an electronic odyssey 1993 sheds light on the early era of electronic music. Theremin an electronic odyssey 1994 was released on. Theremin ha sorpreso lamerica con il suo strumento fino a quando il suo rapimento da parte di agenti sovietici a.
Very few people would recognize the name of leon theremin 18961993 if it werent for the electronic musical instrument he invented around 1918. Maurice moore this film sketches a portrait of the experimental scene in moscow and also includes rare footage of the godfather of electronic music, leon theremin. It wasnt actually meant to be a musical device, so much as an experimental governmentfunded proximity sensor. Decide how to integrate the film clip into your lesson plan. Martins introduction to the theremin, an electronic musical instrument that produced a strange, undulating, alternately threatening and. The theremin, named after russian physicistinventor leon theremin, is a mysterious and singular contraption thats proved to be the stealth hit of electronic instrumentation.
The art of the theremin, released by delos, contains twelve performances by clara rockmore herself. A documentary about the inventor of the first electronic synthesiser instrument and his. An electronic odyssey is a documentary directed by steven m. Russian scientist leon theremin 18961993 was the onceforgotten inventor who created the worlds first electronic musical instrument. A documentary about theremin, the man who pioneered the field of electronic music. It has been used in film soundtracks such as spellbound, the lost weekend, ed wood, mars attacks. The theremin is built like a radio receiver, with an antenna protruding from the right and a metal loop on the left.
A documentary about the inventor of the first electronic synthesiser instrument and his subsequent life after he was abducted by the kgb as well as a history of his instrument. Martin, il documentario vinse il sundance film festival nel 1994. An electronic odyssey is a documentary about the creator of the theremin musical instrument, lev sergeyvich termen aka leon theremin. An electronic odyssey 1993 starring leon theremin and clara rockmore on dvd and bluray. An electronic odyssey 1995 this documentary explores the life of leon theremin, the inventor of an electronic synthesizer called the theremin, which uses motion to produce a. Martin on allmovie though the facts of leon theremin s life merit. Popular electronics magazine, april 1955 antique radio.
Ether music and espionage by albert glinsky, with a foreword by robert moog. An electronic odyssey dec 31, 2012 a very very cool documentary on the inventor of one of the most imaginative musical instruments ever constructed the theremin. An electronic odyssey movie downloads we do not offer to watch theremin. In 2000, university of illinois press published theremin. Further distinguishing the theremin from the traditional world of mechanical musical instruments reeds, woodwinds, horns, strings, percussion, etc. Jul 25, 2008 instead, i direct the curious to the fascinating 1994 documentary theremin. The theremin is a single oscillator electronic musical instrument with two metal rods used to control pitch and amplitude by the human performer using hand gestures. Martin produced a documentary entitled theremin an electronic odyssey. A history of the theremin in movie music classical mpr.
Martin, the film chronicles leon theremin and his rise from a soviet gulag to develop the instrument that would come to enrapture people with its otherworldliness. An electronic odyssey, told the story of leon theremin. Used in countless sciencefiction film scores, the theremin also appears on more recordings these. The film features rare footage and interviews with music industry legends such as robert moog, todd rundgren, and brian wilson as well as prof. Martin about the life of leon theremin and his invention, the theremin, a pioneering electronic musical instrument.
An electronic odyssey is a 1993 documentary film directed by steven m. If you can have a real theremin or theremin like device in class, it would make the lesson all the more interesting. Leon theremin is he the inventor of the television. Martins awardwinning documentary film about the inventor was shown in britain on the bbcs channel 4 theremin. An interesting bit is brian wilson talking about the beach boys use of the theremin in good vibrations.
The renaissance that began with the documentary film, theremin. The sound of the theremin is associated with alien, surreal, and eeriesounding portamento, glissando, tremolo, and vibrato sounds. An electronic odyssey dvd, 2014 at the best online prices at ebay. It is a story about a man with a passion for electronics and music, a man with an inventive and radical mind. This film was released shortly after the instruments creator, the russian professor, leon theremin, died in. In a 1989 interview with olivia mattis, theremin said, i conceived of an instrument that would create sound without using any mechanical energy, like the conductor of an orchestra source. Theremin an electronic odyssey offers a featurelength account of the instrument and its creator, leon theremin, a russian inventor who immigrated early in the century and started the. It is the kind of movie that requires a musical score only the theremin possibly could supply. I recently rewatched this movie after acquiring a theremin of my own and boy. An electronic odyssey, we see clips of leon theremin from the 20s and 30s, standing before his instrument with burning eyes, a trim mustache, and the stately handsomeness of a. An incredible score with heavy theremin use accompanies this 1951 film about an alien and his robot who come to warn the people of earth to change their ways, or else. Its an oddlooking thing, a wooden box that somewhat resembles an antique radio, with two metal rods sticking out, one vertical and the other horizontal.
An electronic odyssey 1995 this documentary explores the life of leon theremin, the inventor of an electronic synthesizer called the theremin, which uses motion to produce a sliding. Oct 30, 2017 the 25 greatest rock music documentaries of all time. The theremin became known in the usa as a home instrument and featured in many film soundtracks of the 194050s, it also appeared in several pop records of the 1960s but never overcame its novelty appeal and was used for effect rather than a serious instrument, most recordings employ the theremin as a substitute string instrument rather. You begin with interest, and then you pass through the stages of curiosity, fascination and disbelief, until in the last 20 minutes, you arrive at a state of dumbfounded wonder.
Cue the dvd so that it will start at the beginning of the movie without coming attractions, advertisements or credits. Around 1955, a colleague of moogs, electronic music pioneer raymond scott, purchased one of moogs theremin subassemblies to incorporate into a new invention, the clavivox, which was intended to be an easytouse keyboard theremin. Born in the soviet union at the height of communist repression, leon theremin arose to become a pioneer of electronics and of electronic music. What are the release dates for theremin an electronic. It follows his life, including being imprisoned in a soviet gulag, and the influence of his instrument, which came to define the sound of eerie in 20thcentury movies, and influenced popular music as. Martin writes and directs this intriguing documentary about a mans strange music and his very interesting life as an inventor and. While the documentary contains few objectionable elements, the lack of a narrative, a point of view and true insight into the man makes theremin. As i reflect on the past two decades, i like to think that leon theremin would think positively about the progress the theremin has made in that time. Fans of the first star trek series will recognize its sounds, but it was used in orchestral compositions and movies quite extensively for many decades, and even played a role in the brian wilsons. Dec 02, 2001 other sites sell buildityourself theremin kits. Theremin, also called thereminvox, or etherophone, electronic musical instrument invented in 1920 in the soviet union by leon theremin also called lev termen.
What theremin dreamed up was an electronic instrument with two primary circuits. This incredible film provides an indepth look into the history of the instrument and its inventor. An electronic odyssey is an english movie directed by steven m. An electronic odyssey is a 1993 documentary about a man whose real life resembled a spy movie in many aspects. An electronic instrument that you play without touching would seem like the quintessential axe of the virtual era, but 2020 actually marks the theremin s 100th birthday.
With leon theremin, robert moog, clara rockmore, nicolas slonimsky. There are few decent docs about electronic music and, unbelievably, none. Though the facts of leon theremin s life merit this feature film, director steven m. Theremin by oivind lange, oslo 1930s, telefunken volkstrautonium ela. Martin about the life of leon theremin and his invention, the theremin. An electronic odyssey click to enlarge apart from crumb, this film by steven m. This documentary is fun to watch and brings to light a lot. An electronic odyssey attempts to chronicle the history of the first electronic instrument, named the theremin after its inventor leon theremin. That this film includes these 3 late greats of music make it even more worthwhile to watch.
One of the best examples of theremin music in the scifi genre, and a great story to boot. Theremins and related memorabilia can be found on the ebay web site. A profile of russian leon theremin, inventor of the worlds first electronic musical instrument. The left rod a horizontal hoop reduces the amplitude as the left hand is moved closer to it, while the right rod a vertical pole increases the pitch as the right hand is moved towards it. Theremin simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
An electronic odyssey, has continuously grown and thrived. The film, which was scored by bernard herrmann, was mr. The rca theremin holds a place in history as the first manufactured electronic musical instrument, and is credited with laying the foundation for all electronic music to come. Nov 03, 20 thank you, leon theremin, for everything you created for us. Brilliant in moments but basically flawed, theremin. Aug 22, 2015 accordingly, the theremin is most often a novelty a prop for led zeppelins jimmy page, a gag for the big bang theorys sheldon cooper, a flyingsaucer soundeffect in countless bmovie. An electronic odyssey in 1993, the instrument has enjoyed a resurgence in interest and has become more widely used by contemporary musicians. An electronic odyssey a bit tedious for anyone but diehard aficionados of obsolete electronic musical instruments. Theremin world remembering leon theremin 20 years later. An electronic odyssey revolves around leon theremin, the genius scientistartist who revolutionized modern music with his invention of. Though the facts of leon theremins life merit this feature film, director steven m. The theremin is an electronic musical instrument that predates by several decades and is the obvious model for modern synthesizers.
It consists of a box with radio tubes producing oscillations at two soundwave frequencies above the range of hearing. Ironically, the modern popularity of these other electronic instruments eventually led to a mild revival of interest in the theremin. Martin chooses to focus on theremins eponymous invention, a strange musical instrument which predated the synthesizer in the field of electronic sound. An electronic odyssey a centennial celebration of the invention of the theremin wednesday, october 16th at 7. Theremin an electronic odyssey movie information from citwf, the free online movie database covering over 507,364 movies from 175 countries. Jul 15, 2016 the instrument has seen a surge of new interest in recent years established by a 1993 film titled theremin. An electronic odyssey was shown as part of last years new york film festival. The electric signals from the theremin are amplified and sent to a loudspeaker. After escaping russias communist revolution, leon theremin travels to new york, where he pioneers the field of electronic music with his synthesizer. Martin chooses to focus on theremin s eponymous invention, a strange musical instrument which. The film follows both through a strange sequence of events and interweaves these stories with those influenced by the machine and the man.
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