Thierry Plays The Terpsitone

[Peter Pringle]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gH0Y5M46Gqc

As charming as Thierry is in this video, I don't think this was the point of Lev's invention. Namely, to crouch down motionless and then play a piece of music (in this case the VOCALISE) by waving your arms in the air above your head. It was always my impression that the terpsitone was a DANCE platform where the gestures and movement of the entire body would create music. 

As Clara once said in an interview (I paraphrase): 'Termen asked me to demonstrate the terpsitone because the thereminists couldn't dance, and the dancers couldn't play the theremin.'

In any case, a most courageous and very interesting video. If I were to attempt such a thing I would be unable to get up when I was finished!  LOL

[Gordon Charlton]

I think the point of the video was to demonstrate the sound of the Terpsitone and that it functioned, not Thierry's dancing skills. I imagine Theirry is aware of how it was intended to be used.

I find myself wondering how it would respond to my approach.

Gordon

[Peter Theremin]

Thierry, is this mystification or what?

I do not quite understand on what you play.

Please explain, I do not understand

среда, 23 января 2013 г., 4:14:55 UTC+4 пользователь Peter Pringle написал:

[Thierry Frenkel]

LOL...

That was in the night before the NODE festival started. There was no public. Andrej Smirnow had brought and set up this Terpsitone and just a few people (Coralie Ehinger and Julie Henoch, the kind and beautiful organisators,as well as Andrej Smirnow, Wilco Botermans and myself) were standing around and admiring it.

Only one of us (the buffoon which you see in the video) was courageous enough to give it a try...

It turned out that the pitch could not be well tuned when I was standing on it. This might have to do with the fact that the Terpsitone felt that I'm not at all a dancer or with the titanium bar and the ten screws in my right foot (remember the long and horrible story of my complicated ankle fracture three years ago). I finally discovered that I could get a decent playing range when lowering my body. But then I could only move my arms in that very uncomfortable position.

Thus you see my very first attempt to produce something which resembles from far to a melody. It was just me exploring this Terpsitone and it was not intended to be shown in public. I was even not aware of the fact that Coralie recorded it with her iPhone.

I was very surprised yesterday evening when she sent me this video by email asking me if she could publish it. Hmmm... I found it just funny in the same way I "appreciate" videos of cats "playing" theremin, but Coralie insisted on being totally thrilled about my clumsy attempt. Finally I accepted because I like Coralie very much and I could not say "no"...

Perhaps I will get an award for the millionth video of an old fart doing stupid things on YouTube... :-)

[Peter Theremin]

Thierry, two questions ...

1. I do not see the wires running from the platform...

2. Do  all construction is "terpsiton made Leon Theremin"? Who said this?

среда, 23 января 2013 г., 10:49:00 UTC+4 пользователь Thierry Frenkel написал:

[Thierry Frenkel]

1.) there was a very thin cable which went from the control unit to the platform. It can almost not be seen due to the bad resolution of the video. It went from the back left corner of the control unit down behind the table and then towards the platform about 5cm above the floor. Sometimes you can see its shadow on the curtain behind the other cable loop which goes to the speaker.

2.) Andrej Smirnow told us so. I could not verify it. But touching at the control unit which has most probably been built by your grand-grandfather felt very good. Thus I had no doubt.

[Peter Theremin]

That structure, which stands on a pedestal on the right - it does seem like the remains of terpsiton Leon Theremin.

As for the platform, speaker, etc. for me it is clear - not authentic ...

Therefore, I ask Thierry,please,  tell me how to precisely positioned the model on NODE?

P.S. thin cord -  not authentic :)))

среда, 23 января 2013 г., 11:28:15 UTC+4 пользователь Thierry Frenkel написал:

[Thierry Frenkel]

The small active speaker was not authentic, that is absolutely clear. And for the platform, I found it looked somewhat too new. But the "heart" of the device, the control unit on the table looked and sounded very authentic.

The description how it was exactly announced by the NODE festival is here (in French and English) :

http://www.node-rdv.ch/?page_id=846

[mpic...@earthlink.net]

Thierry,

I applaud you. You are a born experimenteur.

Love it.

XOXO,
Sarah

> --
>
>

[Peter Theremin]

Thierry, I went to the link and saw ....

"Nièce Lydia Kavina" LOOOOL

Questions about the adequacy of terpsitone and I no longer have. )))))

Thank you, Thierry.

среда, 23 января 2013 г., 12:43:51 UTC+4 пользователь Thierry Frenkel написал:

[Peter Theremin]

By the way, Andrew, as far as I know, loves a hoax ...

On a draft-show in Moscow was theremin for everyone.

And very few knew that it was not a theremin, but  theremin-sensor that is connected to a computer that simulated the theremin, and the case of theremin  was empty.

 

среда, 23 января 2013 г., 12:43:51 UTC+4 пользователь Thierry Frenkel написал:

[Peter Pringle]

On Tuesday, 22 January 2013 19:45:19 UTC-5, Gordon Charlton wrote:

I find myself wondering how it would respond to my approach.

Gordon,

I think the terpsitone would probably be more effective and perhaps more satisfying if it were used to create "experimental" (essentially aleatoric) music of the Beat Frequency genre, rather than treated as an instrument for precision playing. That being said, I think we also need to recognize that the instrument is for lithe, beautiful, flexible, young dancers, not for great, lumbering, old buffoons like Thee and me!

The problem with the concept of the terpsitone as a *precision* musical instrument is that choreography is compromised by the need for accuracy of pitch. One might be able to play a musical composition perfectly on it, or perform a genuinely creative dance routine, but it would not be possible to do both.

A much better idea, IMNSHO, would be to design a device that could trace the movements of the hands and arms of a thereminist and project them onto a screen so that a theremin performance could become an audio/visual experience in which a musical composition would become a "drawing in the air" and "drawing in the air" would become a musical experience. Carolina Eyck mentioned her interest in this in the interview currently running on the front page of Theremin World. 

According to thereminist and computer wiz Jason, the technology already exists to do this.

[Jessica Hummel]

Please stop being hateful about Lydia Kavina and now also Andrei Smirnov. For me it poisons the atmosphere here at Levnet,
Criticism phrased in a normal way funded with arguments don't bother me, emptying vile does. Even more if its in little portions instead of the whole bucket at once.
I hold my tongue for a long time, but enough is enough.

greetings,
Jessica

PS. Moderators, this might be against policy, so feel free to kick me off the board.

--
 
 

[Peter Theremin]

Jessica, I do not understand  you.

In the official website of NODE Lydia Kavina introduced as "the niece of Leon Theremin" - this is a lie and it is known by Lydia Kavina and Andrei Smirnov.

As to the "theremin hoax" - it's a fact. Andrew himself said.

What is your problem?

среда, 23 января 2013 г., 15:35:58 UTC+4 пользователь Jessica Hummel написал:

[mpic...@earthlink.net]

Sounds like movement capture suits or something like that.

There was an early film of Catherine Zeta Jones with Sean Connery
where she played a gymnast bank robber who had to get past a
sophisticated series of lasers guarding a diamond or something
without tripping the alarm.

It was quite beautiful watching her work her way through the tangle.
Maybe she could do form and function for the terpsitone.

It seems to me though, the flashier the hand movements of the
theremin player, the less in tune they tend to be. To me the best
players have the most economy of movement with energy, but ease.

S

> --
>
>

[Jessica Hummel]

Peter, it seems to be much more your problem then mine. But you won't stop puking it all over the place. And it stinks.
Always hammering on how false Lydia's playing and the claims you think she's making about the Termen family lineage.
You have been calling Lydia a liar on all fronts you can think of, and now you are indicating that Andrei Smirnov is a liar about your family lineage and about the authenticity of the Terpsitone.
Keep your family feud to yourself, and stop letting it cloud your judgement and your posts.
Let's talk about the theremin, the instrument.

greetings,
Jessica

[Peter Theremin]

LOOL

"And now you are indicating that Andrei Smirnov is a liar about your family lineage and about the authenticity of the Terpsitone."

Jessica, you are behaving inappropriately IMHO what I wrote.

I wrote the facts - not an ounce of personal opinion. Re-read, please. On the official public site NODE written - "Lydia Kavina - niece of Leo Theremin" - it is lie. And this is a public lie. And this is not my personal opinion - it's fact.

And it is written - the same place - Andrey Smirnov demonstrate   authentic terpsitone by Leon Theremin.

I know what is the authentic terpsiton by Leon Theremin.

From this terpsiton on video I see one-third of the construction, in a very strange state.

The remaining two-thirds of represented terpsiton  - not authentic.

This NODE writes nothing about this.

The only question is this.

Peter Theremin

среда, 23 января 2013 г., 16:21:40 UTC+4 пользователь Jessica Hummel написал:

[Peter Pringle]

On Wednesday, 23 January 2013 06:35:58 UTC-5, Jessica Hummel wrote:

Please stop being hateful about Lydia Kavina and now also Andrei Smirnov. For me it poisons the atmosphere here at Levnet.....

PS. Moderators, this might be against policy, so feel free to kick me off the board.

 Jessica,

Most of us here on the Levnet have arrived at the point where Peter Theremin's obsession with defaming Lydia (and now smearing Smirnov) has become a sort of running joke. It's been going on for years! Yes, it's getting a bit tiresome, but you can't possibly be taking any of this seriously. What you have to understand is that Peter, as a certifiable obsessive/compulsive, is not able to stop doing what he is doing. As an obsessive/compulsive myself, I know whereof I speak!

Genuine obsessive/compulsives often feel that it is their sacred duty to expose some perceived "wrong" and make it "right", and they are unable to understand why others seem unwilling to agree with them and accept the obvious justice of their cause. They are as persistent in their crusades as those notorious obsessive/compulsive hand-washers who wash their hands a hundred times a day, every day, for years and years.

Peter Theremin, once you get over his preoccupation with Lydia and his self-appointed role as protector of the Theremin family honor, is a charming and intelligent young man with a great sense of humor and fun. He is an undying champion of the theremin, and a talented singer as well (and his theremin playing has improved greatly within the last year....slava Bogu!). 

No amount of begging, cajoling, threatening or imploring is going to stop him from attacking those evil Nesturkh's and anyone who cooperates with them. He will not, he CAN not, understand why others fail to see the righteousness of his cause and nothing you or anyone else can say is going to change that. To Peter, YOU are the one with the problem because you cannot see that he is right!

As for YOU, my dear, you aren't going anywhere! You are one of the major contributors to the Levnet. You have given us so much over the years. It just wouldn't be the same around here without you.

We are simply going to have to bear with one another's mishegoss!

[Jessica Hummel]

If you think the rest of my mail is appropriate than it's a big step forward.

About the authenticity of the Terpsitone, Thierry already wrote about it and I value his insight and opinion.
Regarding your objections to the Node press message, contact the Node publicity manager and spill your frustration there.

greetings,
Jessica

[Gordon Charlton]

Without testing an idea with an actual instrument it is hard to predict what will work as anticipated. Nonetheless, I have a notion that a Terpsitone variation that senses three parameters (left/right, forward/back, up/down, mapped to pitch, volume and say a wah or formant filter) with tons of echo and reverb could work well for creating evolving atonal cluster drones, and perhaps could be combined with MIDI tap shoes to provide some rhythmic content and add 'note events' to the facilities offered by the instrument.

Gordon

[LevNet Admin]

Jessica, Peter (Pringle) is right about many things in his post, notably this group's membership.  We don't bounce people from the group too often.  It's only happened twice, in fact, and both times fair warning was given.

So far this thread, like all others in recent memory, has remained basically on-point.  Topics of discussion are expected to stray off-topic from time to time, just like spoken conversations do.  Sometimes those diversions are interesting (at least to me), and they rarely seem destructive.

This group enjoys a wide "attitude latitude" so as to accomodate the strange group of people attracted to this crazy instrument.

And just to be clear, please don't interpret this post as a warning.

Warm hugs all around.

--

[Peter Pringle]

On Wednesday, 23 January 2013 10:53:19 UTC-5, LevNet Admin wrote:

This group enjoys a wide "attitude latitude" so as to accomodate the strange group of people attracted to this crazy instrument.

NOW JUST HOLD ON ONE DARN MINUTE!!

Who the hell said this instrument was "crazy"?

Oh.......Clara Rockmore......oops.......O.K......sorry........

[Uncle Howie]

Leveren:
I don't know about the fact that Clara really believed her beloved
instrument was deranged, but I personally believe many who play, or try
to play, the theremin are definitely bonkers.
Perhaps it is caused by being bathed in a stream of radiated
electrons, or being pelted by ions which are significantly heavier and
nastier than electrons.
Ions can tear the phosphor coating off of cathode ray tube faces. Why
not affect brain cells? Right, Doctor Moog?
Uncle Howie

--
 
 

[Peter Theremin]

среда, 23 января 2013 г., 16:50:27 UTC+4 пользователь Peter Pringle написал:

No amount of begging, cajoling, threatening or imploring is going to stop him from attacking those evil Nesturkh

Peter, it's simply.

"Elementary, my dear Watson"

I have an absolute facts that Leon Theremin, hated Lydia Kavina and Andrei Smirnov.

I just keep the tradition of Leon Theremin. 

[Amethyste]

What is "fact" to you, is only a splatter of hate to us.

 

Go on butterfly...

[Peter Pringle]

On Thursday, 24 January 2013 09:16:04 UTC-5, Amethyste wrote:

What is "fact" to you, is only a splatter of hate to us.

It is entirely possible that Lev Termen strongly disapproved of Lydia Kavina, but if he did (and I say IF......) none of it came from Lev. He was being manipulated by his daughter (Peter Theremin's  grandmama) Natasha. You have only to mention the name of L.K., and Natasha will go magnificently and totally ballistic!

As for Lev, I do not believe he ever hated anyone in his entire life (with the possible exception of Joseph Vissarionovich). From everything I have understood about Lev Sergeievitch, envy, jealousy and hate were simply not part of his nature. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for some of the other members of his family.

[Amethyste]

Yes Peter... I understand what you mean. I think "hated" is a pretty strong word.

 

And in "keeping the tradition of Leon Theremin": The best way possible to honor him is by playing his instrument in the best of our abilities while remaining kind and humble toward each other.

[a.e.c...@freenet.de]

Dear Uncle Howie,

do you deign to make a joke? Electrons can fly through a vacuum if they feel a positive plate in front of them. But in the air they are rapidly braked by collisions to air molecules creating nitrogen and oxygen ions.

Negative air ions are, by the way, known as very healthy. If they develop around theremin antennas they must be like a medicine for thereminists! Thus, theremin playing must be good for our health, don't you agree?

Only positive air ions will have a negative effect on human health.

Fun aside, I have experienced it myself when I was watching a high voltage experiment conducted by an electronics engineer. As soon he switched about +20,000 Volts on a wire stretched in the air I felt more and more incomfortable.

After he had changed the polarity I felt much better than before.

Kind regards

Arno



> -----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
> Von: Uncle Howie
> Gesendet: Mi. 23.01.2013 20:40
> An: lev...@googlegroups.com
> Betreff: Re: Thierry Plays The Terpsitone

>
> Leveren:
> I don't know about the fact that Clara really believed her beloved
> instrument was deranged, but I personally believe many who play, or
> try
> to play, the theremin are definitely bonkers.
> Perhaps it is caused by being bathed in a stream of radiated
> electrons, or being pelted by ions which are significantly heavier
> and
> nastier than electrons.
> Ions can tear the phosphor coating off of cathode ray tube faces.
> Why
> not affect brain cells? Right, Doctor Moog?
> Uncle Howie

> style="color:green">>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
> style="color:green">>>>>>>>>>>>

>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Peter Pringle
> To: levnet
> Sent: Wed, Jan 23, 2013 1:28 pm
> Subject: Re: Thierry Plays The Terpsitone
>
> On Wednesday, 23 January 2013 10:53:19 UTC-5, LevNet Admin wrote:
> This group enjoys a wide "attitude latitude" so as to accomodate the
> strange group of people attracted to this crazy instrument.
>
>
>
>
> NOW JUST HOLD ON ONE DARN MINUTE!!
>
>
> Who the hell said this instrument was "crazy"?
>
>
> Oh.......Clara Rockmore......oops.......O.K......sorry........
>
> --
>
>
>
>

> --
>
>
>
>
> -----Ursprüngliche Nachricht Ende-----

---
Alle Postfächer an einem Ort. Jetzt wechseln und E-Mail-Adresse mitnehmen! http://email.freenet.de/produkte/basic/index.html

[mpic...@earthlink.net]

AHH, Family:

Can't live with 'em, can't live with 'em.

XOXO,
S

> --
>
>

[Lawrence P Kaster]

Hate is the kind of poison that poisons the poisoner much more than the object of their obsession.

LPKaster

http://lpkaster.com

Sent from my iPhone

--
 
 

[Fred Mundell]

I know all this talk about the health effects (or otherwise) from
theremins isn’t REALLY meant to be taken seriously.. ;-)

IFAIK, there are no known effects from the theremin which could
positively or negatively affect health, other than the obvious - the
sounds / music produced by them - which can be pleasing or distressing.

There is insufficient voltage on the antenna to influence ionization in
any significant way, and compared to other fields we are washed in
continuously, the fields from any theremin are utterly trivial ..

(The RMS voltage on a theremin antenna is likely to be far less than
1/100th of that required to significantly ionize air - Furthermore,
ionizers use sharp points to concentrate the electrons, and supply DC on
the point - polarity determining the polarity of the ions.. Even if a
theremin antenna did ionize air, it would alternately produce positive
and negative ions at high frequency, and these ions would be attracted
to each other and cancel out their charges)

Not saying these fields don’t do anything to us - what I am saying is
that they are dwarfed by other fields - if we believe that theremin
fields are harmful, well - we need to move to somewhere surrounded by
mountains where there is no power grid or radio transmitters etc, and
signals don’t reach.. but such a place might be hard to find!

If you like the effect of negative ions (I do) get a good ionizer ..
But whatever - It is highly unlikely IMO that anything you "feel" from a
theremin is due to electrostatic or electromagnetic fields being emitted
from the theremin.

The conclusion? - The theremin doesn’t drive us mad.. We were mad or we
wouldn’t have been drawn to the theremin! ;-)

Fred.

--

[Uncle Howie]

Leveren:
I don't care what anyone says about the benign effects of theremin
radiation. I will continue to wear my Reynolds Wrap aluminum hat and
protective cup when I play Moon River on my RCA relic..
Uncle Howie

[Fred Mundell]

Dear uncle ;-)

An RCA relic ?

Well electrically insulated rubber gloves would be a better precaution!
- particularly if you get anywhere near the loudspeaker connections, or,
for that matter, the loudspeaker or its cable..

.. In fact - Dry rubber Wellington boots (in case you stand on the
cable) and perhaps a full body electrical insulation suit (rubber? ..
Nah - too kinky! ;-) just in case you bump into the speaker or it falls
on you or whatever...

OTT ?

Not compared to worrying about theremin "radiation" it isn’t!

;-)

Just a serious note here - the voltage on the loudspeaker terminals of a
RCA is more than potentially fatal!

[Philip]

Watch "Signs". The characters look like little Hershey's kisses.

[Philip]

My Ludlum 12/pancake is dead quiet around Gabriella....so no ionizing
radiation of any kind.....

FEELEEP

[Peter Theremin]

пятница, 25 января 2013 г., 0:28:59 UTC+4 пользователь Peter Pringle написал:

As for Lev, I do not believe he ever hated anyone in his entire life (with the possible exception of Joseph Vissarionovich).

Not   Joseph Stalin but     "propagandists of  theremin" taught Leon Theremin to hate.

Peter, Leon Theremin was very kind man and always good to young and always helped when asked for. Leon Theremin hated lies and conflict with Lydia Kavina started from the time when she started to say that she is his granddaughter.

Leon Theremin loved his theremin , and he loved his family.

Before his trip to America in the spring of 1991 after the filing of the Union of Composers for the ride to the Lev Theremin received threats to shoot him and his family.

Come some people.  As  the  result  my brother and great-grandson of Leo Theremin was born not in time and died.

After the arrival from America Leon Theremin found that destroyed his  laboratory and Leon Theremin, particularly savagely smashed his theremin.

Peter, Steve Martin knew exactly what Natasha provide authentic theremin (tube and new model ) in Russia and abroad from 1989 to 1993, with the approval of Leon Theremin, and refused to show, theremin made by Robert Moog.

Steve Martin was at the last concert of Holland  Leon and Natasha Theremin in 1993 in Holland, and there  Leon and Natasha had a very hard conflict  - with Steve Martin.

However, Steve Martin in his film pretends that Leon Theremin came to the U.S. in 1991 alone, without his family.

He did not film overseas performances of  Leon Theremin, or did, but did not include in the film.

Steve Martin included Lydia Kavina,in the film  without the consent of Leo Theremin.

He called Lydia Kavina  in the movie great-niece of Leon Theremin that was and is  lie. (The real great-niece of Leo Theremin, the only granddaughter of Leon Theremin's sister died last year)

the  firm of Robert Moog gave  to everybody who buys the theremin by Moog the   disc with advertising of  Lydia Kavina, who plays an instrument of Robert  Moog 91a, seemingly repeats the form of exclusive authentic theremins of  Leon Theremin  with out permission of Leon Theremin.

Andrei Smirnov came to Leon Theremin, and said in October 1993 that he was forced to take   the name of Leon Theremin  without asking for name of its center, because it is only in this case the promised foreign support.

He said he was not interested in theremin and it's not going to do this and can take the name against the will of Leon Theremin and so Smirnov did .

 Andrew said that he did not know Lydia Kavina and is not going to cooperate with her .

All of the above - took place without the consent and against the will of Leon Theremin.

I think this is deliberate hoax directed against individuals and inventions of Leon Theremin. 

[Peter Pringle]

On Thursday, 24 January 2013 18:49:45 UTC-5, lpkaster wrote:

Hate is the kind of poison that poisons the poisoner much more than the object of their obsession.

Sir Rudolph Bing was general manager of New York's METROPOLITAN OPERA during the 1950's when the controversial and notoriously demanding soprano, Maria Callas, was the reigning diva of the opera world. Bing attended a cocktail party one evening and overheard a group of people talking about the famous prima donna. Someone remarked, "You know, Maria Callas is her own worst enemy."

Bing poked his head into the conversation and added, "Not as long as I'm around!"

[Jessica Hummel]

And who did you have in mind for the role of Bing in this ongoing Theremin family drama?

I don't want any hatred or enemy stuff. And I don't want to treat Peter Theremin as a joke. He is a young adult and I hope wisdom will come soon, or at least over the years.
Peter Theremin, I hope you will let us see your talented side instead of the hereditary bitterness.

greetings,
Jessica

--
 
 

[Peter Pringle]

On Friday, 25 January 2013 07:57:52 UTC-5, Jessica Hummel wrote:

I don't want any hatred or enemy stuff. And I don't want to treat Peter Theremin as a joke. He is a young adult and I hope wisdom will come soon, or at least over the years.

Jess, I don't think you have quite understood the nature of the obsessive/compulsive.  

"But doctor, all we want is for Willie to simply make up his mind and stop washing his hands a hundred times a day!"

"I understand your consternation Mrs. Worthington, but what you must realize is, HE CAN'T."

[Amethyste]

also, I think he has not understood what honoring a family member is all about. It is not about bitterness and bickering, and dark feelings of haste towards others. If there is any wrong doings from others, eventually it will catch up with them, but not for you to worry about. In this case, learning to play the instrument to the best of your ability is paying a real homage to Leon Theremin. How can you fly free when you are constantly weighed down by sour pussness (and that is from your own actions!)?

[Peter Theremin]

This is not the drama  of Theremin family -  everything are in our hands  (all the knowledge).

But of course, I'm angry, when scammers say about Lev Theremin.

And  I have simply shown how  started Lydia Kavina and Andrei Smirnov.

It is a drama of your world.

Called a "master class with crook."

I respect people who are by their own  intelligence  and musical sense  looking in the right direction of theremin.

I am sure that every musician can learn to play better in 6 years with proper support than Lydia Kavina  during   30 years.

Level of  theremin culture today is very simple to measure  by quality of  theremins.

And t-vox of Lydia Kavina very well reflects her   level of "professionalism" and "understanding of the theremin."

Goodbye theremin, hello spatially controlled tannerin!

 I wish succes to everybody ! :)

[Amethyste]

... The road to loneliness and darkness is a long one, especially when you have sheltered yourself from everyone around you by your actions and harsh words. I wish you well in your self inflicted destructive journey. Farewell Peter!

[Peter Theremin]

пятница, 25 января 2013 г., 20:08:06 UTC+4 пользователь Amethyste написал:

... The road to loneliness and darkness is a long one, especially when you have sheltered yourself from everyone around you by your actions and harsh words. I wish you well in your self inflicted destructive journey. Farewell Peter!

Dear Amethyste!

I already have a students and every year there will be more and more.

Warm greetings from Russia. 

[Amethyste]

... Are you saying that you are teaching the theremin? Really?

[Peter Theremin]

пятница, 25 января 2013 г., 20:26:25 UTC+4 пользователь Amethyste написал:

... Are you saying that you are teaching the theremin? Really?

Yes, I do.

 I will show the results of the first group of  theremin studio  in september  of this year on Thereminology-2013 

[Amethyste]

Hmmmm ok ... Maybe I should start teaching too then :)

[Peter Theremin]

пятница, 25 января 2013 г., 20:52:26 UTC+4 пользователь Amethyste написал:

Hmmmm ok ... Maybe I should start teaching too then :) 

 

My idea is very simple. I was faced with the fact that many people who have a theremin, bought it for making  noise.

And they convince everyone that they like to make noise on the theremin.

But in practice, I learned that they like to play tonal music, if you teach them.

I decide , in addition to the main work studio, to create express method for people who want to learn to play the theremin.

This is very important. When people will quickly learn how to use theremin, will be  changed the evaluation criteria - to enter the notes will not be enough, the performer will be judged on his musical abilities. 

[Uncle Howie]

Fred, and all of us:
Quite right Fred, The RCA theremin's audio output is, strangely
enough, located on the power supply chassis and has high-voltage B+ of
about 190-volts d.c. across its output terminals. The audio output also
is superimposed on this voltage.
A modern day (non-electromagnetic) loudspeaker connected across these
terminals will surely blow out the speaker's voice coil and ruin the
speaker.
The output terminals of the RCA theremin is meant to be applied to an
output transformer located in a Radiola Model 106 loudspeaker cabinet.
Here the B+ voltage is isolated from the audio signal which is then fed
to the voice coil of the electromagnetic speaker.
By the way, the speaker cabinet has its own power supply that
energizes the field coil of the old-style speaker.
I had occasion to play an RCA theremin through a 106 loudspeaker. I
forgot to throw the power switch on the 106 speaker cabinet and heard a
very weak theremin signal. Of course with power the built-in 8-inch
speaker sounded remarkably good, though a little heavy in the bass.

[Peter Pringle]

On Friday, 25 January 2013 11:52:26 UTC-5, Amethyste wrote:

Hmmmm ok ... Maybe I should start teaching too then :)

Believe me, Amey, YOU WILL.  

The wonderful thing about the theremin is that, unlike traditional instruments, there is no internationally accepted standard of excellence in performance, and no universally agreed upon method for playing it. Consequently, anybody and everybody who wants to set him or her self up as a legitimate theremin teacher can do so with impunity. 

And believe me - THEY DO!

The theremin has proved to be the vehicle 'par excellence' for the fulfillment of the artistic ambitions of a surprising number of people who would be unable to get to musical first base on any traditional instrument (including voice), and who demonstrate not one iota of musical talent or aptitude.

Since there is no repertoire for their instrument, thereminists are in a unique position. Unlike cellists, who might be expected to "show their stuff" by dashing off a couple of movements from a Bach Suite for unaccompanied cello, or violinists who might be asked if they can play the Beethoven Violin Concerto (or some other standard work by which their accomplishment could be judged), thereminists can get away with knowing nothing at all except maybe a couple of recognizable bars of IT HAPPENED IN MONTEREY, or MOSCOW NIGHTS. 

Several years ago, when Peter Theremin first appeared in the international theremin community, I wrote to him personally and told him what I thought he should be doing, and actually offered to help him do it. I believed at the time that he should diligently work at his English, and put together a talk on the history and development of the theremin, which he could present in a lecture tour of music schools, conservatories and university campuses across North America. I know people who organize tours of this kind, and who could easily have put together a very profitable itinerary for the great grandson of Leon Theremin.  He could probably have made himself several thousand dollars a week (after commissions and expenses) while on tour, but Peter was not receptive to the idea. 

This was something he could have done, and done with some genuine authority. Teaching the theremin is something he should probably not be doing because he is not a good thereminist.

But what the hell......that hasn't stopped anybody else!

Jess can't laugh a P.T., but I gotta say I'm still giggling over "master class with crook"!   ROTFLMAO

[Amethyste]

Peter.

Omg, I am at work, and I have to contain myself! *my eyes are teary* You always have me in stitches with your anecdotes and way of saying things...

 

You think I will be teaching the theremin? I don't even feel that I am good enough to do that! At least not any time soon.

[Peter Pringle]

On Friday, 25 January 2013 13:59:37 UTC-5, Amethyste wrote:

 

 

You think I will be teaching the theremin? I don't even feel that I am good enough to do that! At least not any time soon.

Yes, I do think you will probably teach theremin at some time in the future, and I think it will be a damn good thing! IMNSHO you are an excellent natural musician (as I have said before) and the simple fact that you say you do not think you are good enough to teach, demonstrates that you are both discerning and discriminating in regard to your own work. 

As I think you know, there are people who feel competent to teach the theremin when their instruments have only been out of the box for a week! 

[Peter Theremin]

пятница, 25 января 2013 г., 22:50:16 UTC+4 пользователь Peter Pringle написал:

Several years ago, when Peter Theremin first appeared in the international theremin community, I wrote to him personally and told him what I thought he should be doing, and actually offered to help him do it. I believed at the time that he should diligently work at his English, and put together a talk on the history and development of the theremin, which he could present in a lecture tour of music schools, conservatories and university campuses across North America. I know people who organize tours of this kind, and who could easily have put together a very profitable itinerary for the great grandson of Leon Theremin.  He could probably have made himself several thousand dollars a week (after commissions and expenses) while on tour, but Peter was not receptive to the idea. 

Peter, I appeared in Levnet two years ago, after 1-2 months after the first time I tried to play something on the theremin.

I remember very well our correspondence.  

I still do not know English - I'm sorry.

Your idea about the lectures was  good. 

During last year and a half, I regularly give lectures   about  theremin-culture  - totally free :)

My theremin studio become the logical continuance of  the lectures.

 

[Fred Mundell]

Hi Peter,

 

I find your disclosures about the history of your family extremely interesting. And yes, I can see how you may have reason for some annoyance / anger about “the situation”. You have an “involvement” and “insight” to which we are all outsiders.

 

Untruth by documentary makers or journalists etc is an accepted part of our western culture – I hate it, but I don’t think many people feel passionate about the matter – they accept that the truth is “bent” to turn a complex tale into a simple and entertaining one.. I so doing, they often create a new “reality” – craft a story – Because, quite simply, if they didn’t do this nobody (or only extremely few) would be interested –

 

The above process has knock-on effects.. look, I am not saying that I subscribe to your version of events or that I reject it – It is good enough for me that you believe it is the truth.. I am sure you have evidence to back up at least a large chunk of the history and details you expound..

 

But, whatever happened, and whoever was in the “right” or in the “wrong” , and whatever issues of “honor” are involved, the fact is that the story has been established.. And this story, regardless of how much “truth” or “fiction” is embedded in it, has influenced the lives of many people.

 

I have met Lydia many times, have spent time with her and George, have been taught theremin basics by her and had long technical discussions with her and George.. I really like both of these people, a lot! – I am saying this up-front so that you know my position before you read what follows.

 

Let us say that your story is true – “He called Lydia Kavina  in the movie great-niece of Leon Theremin that was and is  lie.” – If (and I do not think you would say it if it wasn’t true, or certainly, I believe that you believe it to be true, and that you are most likely correct – but I have no evidence either way – and to me, I actually don’t care if Lydia was the great-niece of Adolf Hitler – Or what claims she or anyone else make for her lineage – To me, it is utterly irrelevant) Lydia was wrongly cast in this “role” – whether she went along with it or not – the result of this “claim”  being made public would have had a knock-on effect on Lydia’s life..

 

There is a statement which goes “what a person pretends to be, they become” – And I think there is sometimes truth in this.. But one thing I believe to be true is that we are never the same “person” from one moment to the next .. Do you REALLY know who you are? – I am not talking here about your lineage or whatever – I am talking about the “real you” …If You can honestly and without any uncertainty declare “Yes” to that question, you are doing a lot better than me!  ;-)

 

There is another thing – I have found that my encounters with the theremin has changed me profoundly .. Years ago, I started my “theremin journey” as an electronics consultant (with specialization in capacitive sensing) looking to make money – I saw a trough of useless theremin “toys” selling for high prices, and thought “I can get in there, make a cheap digital theremin which  knocks the s**t out of this market” – But in the process of R+D, and actually playing a few real theremins, and being invited to one of Lydia’s  private get-togethers and hearing the theremin being played by Lydia and others accompanied by some of the most inspiring musicians playing breathtakingly, I lost my focus – and fell in love with this instrument.. It has cost me dearly (all love costs dearly, it would seem … But I still think its less expensive than hate..)

 

So, to me, it matters not one iota whether Lydia started out as a “crook” or not – I will “judge” people for what they are now. As for Bob Moog, the use of theremin technology even if “with out permission of Leon Theremin” is entirely permissible – The theremin patent has lapsed, and the whole purpose of the patent system is disclosure of an invention and the advancing of technology because, once a patent has lapsed, anyone is free to use the technology without licence and even without acknowledgment… But, apart from this, the 91A uses a completely different, non-heterodyning technology, which was not Lev’s invention and would not have been covered by Levs patent.

 

The truth, Peter, is that (regardless of their “rights” or “wrongs”) without Bob Moog, Your grandfather would not be nearly as well known or revered as he is today. Likewise, without thereminists like Lydia, Precision theremin playing may well have gone to the grave with Clara.

 

And NOBODY in this whole “drama” is the same person that they were even 10 years ago .. Any reasons for anger or bitterness have been washed away by time.

 

I envy you.. Leon had some truly remarkable qualities – You WILL have inherited at least some of those qualities.

 

PLEASE – For the sake of the memory of your Grandfather,  and for the future of his invention,  DON’T waste what you have by focusing your energy on fighting ghosts from the past – They are ghosts! – The people you see as your enemies, those who you feel are bringing Leon Theremins name and invention into disrepute, they are not “real” – When you see them, you are seeing YOUR ghosts.. Those ghosts died a long time ago, these people are not them!  … The ghosts are only in your mind… At one time they were probably real – your “cause” was real – But that time has long passed.

 

Fred.

 

-----Original Message-----
From: lev...@googlegroups.com [mailto:lev...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Peter Theremin
Sent: 25 January 2013 08:28
To: lev...@googlegroups.com
Cc: j.hu...@jeshum.com
Subject: Re: Thierry Plays The Terpsitone

 

--
 
 

[Peter Theremin]

Thank you, Fred.

I understand your idea.

In this situation, there are at least three aspects.

1. Legal (but not the public until the court decision is issued)

2. Ethics (all that I have written - the truth and I am prepared to confirm - with documents and witnesses. And how  will assess it each individual person - it's not for me to decide.)

3. actual

In lectures I often come across people who were on Lydia Kavina misconceptions about the theremin.

People are so zombified that really believe in it. When I   begin to show a simple example, they begin to understand and really interested in the instrument.

[Amethyste]

Here is an exercise for you, Peter.

 

Rule 1.

When you talk on here, don't mention ANY of the people you despise and make your blood boil.

 

Rule 2.

Don't spread hate words in vain for your family lineage.

 

Rule 3.

Say nice things to others about them from time to time.

 

 

Seems like a pretty easy game, doesn't it?

 

Ready ... Set ... GO!

[Peter Theremin]

Dear Amethyste, 

Why do you think you are more competent than me in this matter?

And have the right to give advice?

I am reporting the facts. And I would be right to inform others.    

[Amethyste]

Peter ~

 

When did I say I was more competent than you ~ in what way?

 

Do I have the right to give advice? Certainly. I have the same right in giving advice as you have taken the right to willingly spread unkind words about various people on this forum. It is just not the place to do that. The perception you are emaning onto others is being tainted by your words. I'd try to restrain this side if I were in your shoes.

 

... I am done on this subject, ok?

[Peter Theremin]

Amethyste,

What unkind words I was saying about the people on the forum?

[Pierce Krouse]

On Fri, Jan 25, 2013 at 2:58 PM, Peter Theremin <lir...@ya.ru> wrote:

Amethyste,

What unkind words I was saying about the people on the forum?

I think she means that you used the forum to spread unkind words, not that the unkind words were about people on the forum.

--PK

[Peter Theremin]

суббота, 26 января 2013 г., 1:08:28 UTC+4 пользователь Pierce Krouse написал:

I think she means that you used the forum to spread unkind words, not that the unkind words were about people on the forum.
--PK 

Pierre, I'm sorry if I made it. But I'm sure I spread the sad facts, but not unkind words. 

[Jessica Hummel]

Peter, I do understand the nature of the obsessive/compulsive. I am even schooled to give them music therapy :D
With the obsessive/compulsive the behaviour comes from within. It's in their nature (first dormant and then triggered).
But with Peter Theremin it seems to me more a case of nurture. And then there still is hope.
I am an optimist, I know ;-)

greetings,
Jessica

--
 
 

[Fred Mundell]

Peter,

 

I have no argument about your beliefs on this matter, but lets take a “feet on the ground” look at each issue:

 

1. Legal (but not the public until the court decision is issued)

 

There is no legal basis for anything to be done..

 

I know this will come as a shock to many, and I find it outrageous – But, as I discovered when I had my “identity” stolen some years ago (someone took my name, and set up Ebay and other accounts using this, and I ended up getting hounded by irate buyers and sellers) there is no legal framework which one can prevent someone saying they are whoever they want to call themselves, or declaring themselves to be the grand-whatever of whoever… The only action I was able to take (and it was difficult and costly) is to prove that I was not guilty of the financial frauds – and when I did this, the victims took action against the fraudster.. But there was no legal action I could take against someone calling themselves by my name!

 

2. Ethics (all that I have written - the truth and I am prepared to confirm - with documents and witnesses. And how  will assess it each individual person - it's not for me to decide.)

 

Ethics are situation dependent, they are probably different for every individual on this planet – they are part of our grand delusion about free-will and responsibility.. They are as unreal as the phantoms in our dreams… What you see as ethical (your pursuit of your targets) others see as completely unethical – Both parties are “right” from their perspective – both cannot comprehend the others perspective.. And to both, the issues are really important..

 

And almost every atrocity ever committed,  and every wasteful or pointless act, has been done because the parties involved really believed they were in the right, that they were being “ethical”. And one can never know, no matter how sure one is, that ones actions are REALLY “ethical”  because the whole idea of “ethics” is based on our delusory social structure – the idea is there as an evolutionary developed structure essential to our predominance  - but like all delusory mechanisms, it is extremely fallible!

 

3. actual

 

There is no such thing as “actual”.

 

Nobody cares, Peter!  -

 

And what reason do you have to care? – Stop and think about it! … So, you are entirely “right” .. What does it matter? – 100 years from now nothing of what you are saying will be remembered by anyone – if anything is remembered it will be the story in Glinsky’s book… Leon and Clara will probably be remembered in this framework – Clara’s recordings may still be listened to, as might a handful of thereminists of today.. The only way you are likely to be remembered is if you make some major CONTRIBUTION .. certainly not because you were defaming (justifiably or unjustifiably) people like Lydia!

 

I know the “prognosis” for OCD – I know that what Peter Pringle says is “textbook true”.. But I refuse to believe that anyone is absolutely trapped by their psychosis..  To me, the whole “script” is written – but I do not know my script – and my “matrix” forces me to try to “bump” things onto a “different” course..

 

I just feel that, as a Theremin, you must have some strong “stuff” in your genes – Stuff which must surely be strong enough to overcome your destructive obsession – Yeah – I know you don’t see it as an obsession – But whatever it is, its not going to take you anywhere..

 

Whereas focusing on what you have might take us all somewhere positive.

 

Kind regards,

Fred.

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: lev...@googlegroups.com [mailto:lev...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Peter Theremin
Sent: 25 January 2013 20:27
To: lev...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: Thierry Plays The Terpsitone

 

Thank you, Fred.

--
 
 

[Peter Theremin]

Fred, thank you for what you wrote.

You are very logical reasoning. But I just do not fully describe the situation (and, as I was asked  not to do it again, I do not see any reason to pursue the matter at Levnet).

I said the main thing, which, based on my culture and experience with the development (last 20 years) of the theremin. The culture of theremin was damaged in the modern world. And you think that after 100 years will be remembered Lydia Kavina and Glinsky, and I think that in 10 years, a new generation of thereminists  will tough with the past.

And it will be objectively. I'm also optimist. 

[Fred Mundell]

Thanks Peter,

 

I wish you well.

 

Fred.

 

-----Original Message-----
From: lev...@googlegroups.com [mailto:lev...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Peter Theremin
Sent: 25 January 2013 22:01
To: lev...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: Thierry Plays The Terpsitone

 

Fred, thank you for what you wrote.

--
 
 

[Fred Mundell]

Peter,

 

I just noticed something which MIGHT convince you.. (I am being an optimist now ;-)

 

You say below :

 

“And you think that after 100 years will be remembered Lydia Kavina and Glinsky,”

 

But I never said that at all !   - What I said was:

 

“if anything is remembered it will be the story in Glinsky’s book… Leon and Clara will probably be remembered in this framework – Clara’s recordings may still be listened to, as might a handful of thereminists of today..”

 

I never mentioned Lydia!  I do not actually believe that Lydia is significant enough to be remembered much in terms of this “story” –

 

But you read it as : “you think that after 100 years will be remembered Lydia Kavina and Glinsky,”

 

PETER! – LOOK AT IT!!  YOUR OBSESSION IS STARING AT YOU FROM THE WORDS YOU HAVE WRITTEN! – IT IS SHOUTING AT YOU, MOCKING YOU!

 

You are seeing Lydia where she isn’t present – I was not sure about PPs diagnosis of OCD with you, but I now know he is right..  I just hope he is not right about the idea that you will forever be under the control of this obsession – Talk about “sad facts” – well, there could hardly be a sadder tale than for a descendent of Lev to be lost in this way.

 

Enough said – You have my email sent yesterday, and I am happy to chat, but no more in public!

 

I am also really interested in your life and the “behind the scenes” – I am fascinated by your Grandfather, particularly since I started really exploring his designs and realized just how special they are, and how they have been misunderstood and misinterpreted for decades. I had a Russian grandfather (who I never met) so perhaps I have some hereditary connection with you (LOL – not that it matters – we are all connected far more than we could ever imagine! ;-)

 

Fred.

 

 

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: lev...@googlegroups.com [mailto:lev...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Peter Theremin
Sent: 25 January 2013 22:01
To: lev...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: Thierry Plays The Terpsitone

 

Fred, thank you for what you wrote.

--
 
 

[Gordon Charlton]

Peter Theremin wrote:

"I decide , in addition to the main work studio, to create express method for people who want to learn to play the theremin."

Peter, I have no desire to learn melodic theremin playing, but I would like to understand more about your express method, because I believe that it must take a long time and require a great deal of practice to play conventional music well on a theremin.

Can you explain some of your method?

Thank you,

Gordon

[Lawrence P Kaster]

Burning curiosity. Could be more productive than designing new theremin. Design better players, lol.

LPKaster
http://lpkaster.com

Sent from my iPhone

> --
>
>

[Peter Theremin]

 Fred, 

1.if you have the desire to think that I was sick - that is your right.

 And I will not discuss it, because the dialogue will look more than strange.

But short circuit the discussion -

I say - "Why in the movie by Steve Martin there are no    Lev Theremin  family, but there is Lydia Kavina, which for some reason is called " great-niece "

I said, "That's not true"

I  recieve that  answer that , I'm sick and obsessed with hatred, etc.

I do not understand such discussions. This is a very simple question.

2. I do not know English. Google translate is very bad translate long phrases. It  is often confused.

And I find it hard to read long texts.

3. Do you think that if you write about Glinski, then left the topic  of Lydia Kavina. It is not. We just did not discuss the book of  Glinski.

Very strange and false publication late 80's and early 90's in Russia about Lev Termen used by  Glinski. And the mother of LK  N. Nesturkh was provided to Glinsky this articles  

After years of work on his thesis and later a book Glinski never appealed personally to Leo Termen to provide any materials or to answer any questions. I not think that short interview in New York with Leon Theremin   (1991 ) was enough to write the book

Also, he was not referring to our family, before the publication of the book. And after it. In his book are very many problems.

Actually, that's why I mentioned LK,

Because her family was actively involved in the distortion of the truth about Leon Theremin.

[Peter Theremin]

суббота, 26 января 2013 г., 3:10:43 UTC+4 пользователь Gordon Charlton написал:

Peter, I have no desire to learn melodic theremin playing, but I would like to understand more about your express method, because I believe that it must take a long time and require a great deal of practice to play conventional music well on a theremin.

Can you explain some of your method?

Gordon, I have developed this method, but check it in practice on  people with different levels  of musical training, motor skills, etc.

  In fact, I suspect that my method is similar to the method of Leon Theremin in the early 30's.

I'm just saying that I can teach to play tonal music. But it will not be the end result - it will start for the development of man, as an artist - if he wants to.

Here the issue is that people need to realize that if they just get into the notes on theremin, it does not mean that they play well on theremin. (like the piano). Everybody get  into the notes in  the piano  , but it does not mean anything.

I teach just play the melody and not afraid theremin - is very important and it is important to make it accessible and easy.

Every year (and I play the theremin for 2 years) I understand the imperfection of modern models of theremin, a very great potential of tool and understand that I need a lot of work because the theremin - very responsive tool and allows you a lot, and gives a very good result, if you know in which direction you are moving on .

Now I'm still in development and watch my students, but I hope that in September I officially present my method, it will be called "Theremin in 24 hours" 

[Peter Theremin]

суббота, 26 января 2013 г., 3:16:34 UTC+4 пользователь lpkaster написал:

Design better players, lol.

LPKaster
http://lpkaster.com
 

LOL :) 

[Fred Mundell]

Sorry Peter, I never meant to be offensive.

 

“sick” is a harsh word –

 

As you know, I have some strange ideas about life.. And to me, recognition of our imperfections is actually (usually) of benefit.. It is by recognizing “symptoms” that we can take action to cure the problem – and when I say “symptoms” this doesn’t always mean “bad” – If we didn’t feel thirst, we wouldn’t know that we needed to drink.. And  sometimes we don’t recognize a problem until it becomes difficult to fix.

 

If “Because her family was actively involved in the distortion of the truth about Leon Theremin” is the truth, then it’s the truth.. But Lydia was caught and moved by the forces of her family in the same way that you have been caught and moved by the forces of your family..

 

No one is “guilty” and no one is “bad”  - Its just the script we must follow…  And some “themes” in this script are predominant… fighting these “themes” is not going to have the effect you hope for.

 

I have watched video of  your grandfather, and Natasha, and you, and Lydia, and Clara … And the only thing in these videos which doesn’t show the passing of time much, is the theremin!  - Young people playing who are now old people, or dead.

 

We are here for a brief moment.. All our fights are futile.. I am saying this to myself more than to you!

 

Fred.

 

-----Original Message-----
From: lev...@googlegroups.com [mailto:lev...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Peter Theremin
Sent: 25 January 2013 23:26
To: lev...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: Thierry Plays The Terpsitone

 

 Fred, 

--
 
 

[Don Parrish-Bell]

And people will still say Brian Wilson used a theremin on Good Vibrations no matter how many times and ways it has been addressed in talk and print ... what are gonna do? :)

Don

---

From: Peter Theremin <lir...@ya.ru>
To: lev...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Fri, January 25, 2013 2:01:06 PM

Subject: Re: Thierry Plays The Terpsitone

--
 
 

[Lawrence P Kaster]

Sorry...    Did you mean 24 _years_?

LPKaster

http://lpkaster.com

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 25, 2013, at 5:44 PM, Peter Theremin said:

Now I'm still in development and watch my students, but I hope that in September I officially present my method, it will be called "Theremin in 24 hours" 

--
 
 

[Peter Theremin]

Dear Lawrence,

No, I mean "24 hours"

суббота, 26 января 2013 г., 9:13:34 UTC+4 пользователь lpkaster написал:

Sorry...    Did you mean 24 _years_?

LPKaster

http://lpkaster.com

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 25, 2013, at 5:44 PM, Peter Theremin said:

 

--
 
 

[Peter Theremin]

Thank you, Fred.

I believe that in the modern world, we can assess the society by how it relates to children, how  it relates to the elderly and what quality of theremin it  have.

Natasha Theremin told me once about Lydia Kavina.

"I'm absolutely not interested in how she  plays, she must stop her  lie."

For myself I would like to say that it is my duty to fight with publicly slander and lies about Lev Theremin .

 

[Peter Pringle]

On Friday, 25 January 2013 16:31:58 UTC-5, Jessica Hummel wrote:

Peter, I do understand the nature of the obsessive/compulsive. I am even schooled to give them music therapy :

Jess, 

I hope you're not using the THEREMIN!! It seems to me that would be like trying to put out a fire with gasoline.  (LOL) 

[Peter Pringle]

LPKaster wrote:

Sorry...    Did you mean 24 _years_?

Peter Theremin wrote:

Dear Lawrence,

No, I mean "24 hours"

As most people here are aware, RCA claimed in 1929: "As far as technique is concerned...anyone can begin to play it on the same footing with the finest cellist, or pianist, or other instrumentalist in the world!......It is the easiest of all instruments to play."

The brochure that made this outrageous claim, stated that no time at all was needed to learn technique and that anyone, "...a child, an old person, a blind man..." could do it instantly with no instruction whatsoever. From this point of view, "theremin in 24 hours" seems like an eternity!

I wonder what's takin' so long?

The length of time that it takes a thereminist to teach someone everything he or she knows about playing, depends on how much the teacher knows to begin with.  

"People expect to go over to the theremin and IT PLAYS. No! It takes hard work, sensitivity, sensibility....attention to detail. You have to learn it and it's not easy. The music comes from the heart, the mind, and years and years and years of the study of music."  Clara Rockmore

[Jessica Hummel]

--
 
 

I am not working as a music therapist anymore. But for some clients it would be very nice to hear "It's not you, it's just a crazy instrument!" :D

[Lawrence P Kaster]

Is it one 24 hour session, or is there a break -or several time-outs, say perhaps a year or 4 each?

LPKaster

http://lpkaster.com

Sent from my iPhone

--
 
 

[Fred Mundell]

“and what quality of theremin it  have.”

 

Sorry Peter – but the theremin is utterly irrelevant – its “quality” affects such a miniscule number of people that it is of absolutely no importance by ANY statistical standard .. The theremin does not reflect the state of the world anymore than one butterfly being responsible for our climate change crisis.

 

But, an individual descendent of Leon Theremin could be reflecting the state of the world.

 

With kindness,

Fred.

 

-----Original Message-----
From: lev...@googlegroups.com [mailto:lev...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Peter Theremin

Sent: 26 January 2013 06:50
To: lev...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: Thierry Plays The Terpsitone

 

Thank you, Fred.

--
 
 

[Peter Theremin]

Dear Fred,

I did not mean that in every country keeps track of statistics on theremin.

I have listed the criteria which allow us to assess the country quickly, I think that's right.

The fact that for most of   people of the world theremin has no value, it's absolutely true.

However, Japan is highly developed theremin-culture.

 

[Peter Theremin]

суббота, 26 января 2013 г., 16:55:31 UTC+4 пользователь lpkaster написал:

Is it one 24 hour session, or is there a break -or several time-outs, say perhaps a year or 4 each?

Dear Lawrence.

At first I wanted to do a course lasting two months, but now I think - is it really to  cut  it up to two weeks.

Naturally, in this case, are experimenting on human.

 

[Lawrence P Kaster]

Two weeks? Still no break?

Or is it like we say, "dog years"? Since dogs, especially the larger breeds don't live so long, we say "what's that in dog years?" So 14 days for a dog might be 14 years for someone listening to theremin.   Or is it like what we have; a "Rush Hour" when we sit in traffic and it seems like an eternity?

(Maybe there's another meaning for "Dog Days"!)

LPKaster

http://lpkaster.com

Sent from my iPhone

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[Peter Theremin]

суббота, 26 января 2013 г., 23:27:04 UTC+4 пользователь lpkaster написал:

Two weeks? Still no break?

Or is it like we say, "dog years"? Since dogs, especially the larger breeds don't live so long, we say "what's that in dog years?" So 14 days for a dog might be 14 years for someone listening to theremin.   Or is it like what we have; a "Rush Hour" when we sit in traffic and it seems like an eternity?

(Maybe there's another meaning for "Dog Days"!

Dear Lawrence.

At first I wanted to do a course lasting two months, but now I think - is it really to  cut  it  up to two weeks (16  lessons x 1.5 hours or  8 lessons x 3 hours) .

[mpic...@earthlink.net]

Dear Fred,

Beautifully put.

XOXO,

Sarah

On Jan 25, 2013, at 3:04 PM, Fred Mundell wrote:

Hi Peter,

 

I find your disclosures about the history of your family extremely interesting. And yes, I can see how you may have reason for some annoyance / anger about “the situation”. You have an “involvement” and “insight” to which we are all outsiders.

 

Untruth by documentary makers or journalists etc is an accepted part of our western culture – I hate it, but I don’t think many people feel passionate about the matter – they accept that the truth is “bent” to turn a complex tale into a simple and entertaining one.. I so doing, they often create a new “reality” – craft a story – Because, quite simply, if they didn’t do this nobody (or only extremely few) would be interested –

 

The above process has knock-on effects.. look, I am not saying that I subscribe to your version of events or that I reject it – It is good enough for me that you believe it is the truth.. I am sure you have evidence to back up at least a large chunk of the history and details you expound..

 

But, whatever happened, and whoever was in the “right” or in the “wrong” , and whatever issues of “honor” are involved, the fact is that the story has been established.. And this story, regardless of how much “truth” or “fiction” is embedded in it, has influenced the lives of many people.

 

I have met Lydia many times, have spent time with her and George, have been taught theremin basics by her and had long technical discussions with her and George.. I really like both of these people, a lot! – I am saying this up-front so that you know my position before you read what follows.

 

Let us say that your story is true – “He called Lydia Kavina  in the movie great-niece of Leon Theremin that was and is  lie.” – If (and I do not think you would say it if it wasn’t true, or certainly, I believe that you believe it to be true, and that you are most likely correct – but I have no evidence either way – and to me, I actually don’t care if Lydia was the great-niece of Adolf Hitler – Or what claims she or anyone else make for her lineage – To me, it is utterly irrelevant) Lydia was wrongly cast in this “role” – whether she went along with it or not – the result of this “claim”  being made public would have had a knock-on effect on Lydia’s life..

 

There is a statement which goes “what a person pretends to be, they become” – And I think there is sometimes truth in this.. But one thing I believe to be true is that we are never the same “person” from one moment to the next .. Do you REALLY know who you are? – I am not talking here about your lineage or whatever – I am talking about the “real you” …If You can honestly and without any uncertainty declare “Yes” to that question, you are doing a lot better than me!  ;-)

 

There is another thing – I have found that my encounters with the theremin has changed me profoundly .. Years ago, I started my “theremin journey” as an electronics consultant (with specialization in capacitive sensing) looking to make money – I saw a trough of useless theremin “toys” selling for high prices, and thought “I can get in there, make a cheap digital theremin which  knocks the s**t out of this market” – But in the process of R+D, and actually playing a few real theremins, and being invited to one of Lydia’s  private get-togethers and hearing the theremin being played by Lydia and others accompanied by some of the most inspiring musicians playing breathtakingly, I lost my focus – and fell in love with this instrument.. It has cost me dearly (all love costs dearly, it would seem … But I still think its less expensive than hate..)

 

So, to me, it matters not one iota whether Lydia started out as a “crook” or not – I will “judge” people for what they are now. As for Bob Moog, the use of theremin technology even if “with out permission of Leon Theremin” is entirely permissible – The theremin patent has lapsed, and the whole purpose of the patent system is disclosure of an invention and the advancing of technology because, once a patent has lapsed, anyone is free to use the technology without licence and even without acknowledgment… But, apart from this, the 91A uses a completely different, non-heterodyning technology, which was not Lev’s invention and would not have been covered by Levs patent.

 

The truth, Peter, is that (regardless of their “rights” or “wrongs”) without Bob Moog, Your grandfather would not be nearly as well known or revered as he is today. Likewise, without thereminists like Lydia, Precision theremin playing may well have gone to the grave with Clara.

 

And NOBODY in this whole “drama” is the same person that they were even 10 years ago .. Any reasons for anger or bitterness have been washed away by time.

 

I envy you.. Leon had some truly remarkable qualities – You WILL have inherited at least some of those qualities.

 

PLEASE – For the sake of the memory of your Grandfather,  and for the future of his invention,  DON’T waste what you have by focusing your energy on fighting ghosts from the past – They are ghosts! – The people you see as your enemies, those who you feel are bringing Leon Theremins name and invention into disrepute, they are not “real” – When you see them, you are seeing YOUR ghosts.. Those ghosts died a long time ago, these people are not them!  … The ghosts are only in your mind… At one time they were probably real – your “cause” was real – But that time has long passed.

 

Fred.

 

-----Original Message-----
From: lev...@googlegroups.com [mailto:lev...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Peter Theremin
Sent: 25 January 2013 08:28
To: lev...@googlegroups.com
Cc: j.hu...@jeshum.com
Subject: Re: Thierry Plays The Terpsitone

 

пятница, 25 января 2013 г., 0:28:59 UTC+4 пользователь Peter Pringle написал:

 

As for Lev, I do not believe he ever hated anyone in his entire life (with the possible exception of Joseph Vissarionovich).

 

Not   Joseph Stalin but     "propagandists of  theremin" taught Leon Theremin to hate.

 

Peter, Leon Theremin was very kind man and always good to young and always helped when asked for. Leon Theremin hated lies and conflict with Lydia Kavina started from the time when she started to say that she is his granddaughter.

Leon Theremin loved his theremin , and he loved his family.

Before his trip to America in the spring of 1991 after the filing of the Union of Composers for the ride to the Lev Theremin received threats to shoot him and his family.

Come some people.  As  the  result  my brother and great-grandson of Leo Theremin was born not in time and died.

After the arrival from America Leon Theremin found that destroyed his  laboratory and Leon Theremin, particularly savagely smashed his theremin.

 

Peter, Steve Martin knew exactly what Natasha provide authentic theremin (tube and new model ) in Russia and abroad from 1989 to 1993, with the approval of Leon Theremin, and refused to show, theremin made by Robert Moog.

 

Steve Martin was at the last concert of Holland  Leon and Natasha Theremin in 1993 in Holland, and there  Leon and Natasha had a very hard conflict  - with Steve Martin.

However, Steve Martin in his film pretends that Leon Theremin came to the U.S. in 1991 alone, without his family.

He did not film overseas performances of  Leon Theremin, or did, but did not include in the film.

Steve Martin included Lydia Kavina,in the film  without the consent of Leo Theremin.

 

He called Lydia Kavina  in the movie great-niece of Leon Theremin that was and is  lie. (The real great-niece of Leo Theremin, the only granddaughter of Leon Theremin's sister died last year)

 

 

the  firm of Robert Moog gave  to everybody who buys the theremin by Moog the   disc with advertising of  Lydia Kavina, who plays an instrument of Robert  Moog 91a, seemingly repeats the form of exclusive authentic theremins of  Leon Theremin  with out permission of Leon Theremin.

 

Andrei Smirnov came to Leon Theremin, and said in October 1993 that he was forced to take   the name of Leon Theremin  without asking for name of its center, because it is only in this case the promised foreign support.

 

He said he was not interested in theremin and it's not going to do this and can take the name against the will of Leon Theremin and so Smirnov did .

 Andrew said that he did not know Lydia Kavina and is not going to cooperate with her .

 

All of the above - took place without the consent and against the will of Leon Theremin.

 

I think this is deliberate hoax directed against individuals and inventions of Leon Theremin. 

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