Ear Worms 002 - The Magic of the theremin: History, Performers, Music, and Films

This week on Ear Worms, we will be dedicating our efforts to learning about and enjoying great music composed for the Theremin. We will look at the history a little bit, and then look at some perfomers and some of the great music that has been composed for the Theremin. The Theremin was invented in Russia by Lev Sergeivich Termen, also known as Leon Theremin in 1919. When Leon and his instrument made it to the United States, the music industry and Hollywood all took advantage of this great instrument. Performers like Clara Rockmore and Samuel J. Hoffman brought the performance to a whole new level. We will look at some of the films that were greatly uplifted by the instruments as well as some albums of music.

Credits

Jay Goodwin regularly appears on B sides at B Roll Stage: https://youtube.com/ @BRollStage
Jay Goodwin occasionally appear on Mr. Brown Alliance: https://youtube.com/ @MrBrownAlliance
Atom Gray is the host of B Sides at B Roll Stage: https://youtube.com/@brollstage

Reference Links

- Theremin page on 120 Years of Electronic Music https://120years.net/the-thereminleon-termensoviet-union1922/
- YouTube Playlist of Clara Rockmore's The Art of the Theremin: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIsmdb6_gDByRqsL8QbW0326uDmlmkll0&si=sugvLooE_EpLP3uh
- Spellbound 1945 Dali Dream Sequence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyPe1Jahyfo
- YouTube playlist of Harry Revel's Music Out of the Moon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dawxnlRTgE8&list=PLEC2EBD4F6020F297
- The Day the Earth Stood Still Clip "Gort Appears": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6iF5sINVns
- The Delicate Delinquent theremin scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzFkDAlAKR8
- Good Vibrations Lost Studo Footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVlSVkzbJDA
- Theremin Cello Demonstration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiOKcu9yKy8
- Modern day Theremin performer, Carolina Eyck: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MabANRQ704Q

The Wayfarer Project Links

the Wayfarer Project Merch Store: https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-wayfarer-project/
The Wayfarer Project Website: https://thewayfarerproject.com
The Wayfarer Project (Music channel): https://youtube.com/@thewayfarerproject
The Wayfarer Project Learning: https://youtube.com/@TheWayfarerProjectLearning
The Wayfarer Project Adventures: https://youtube.com/thewayfarerprojectadventures