The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANIYPrqeesI

Does anyone have one of these for sale?

Google "theremins for sale" and you'll have an answer, Curt. These appear to be modern versions, not historic ones. For authenticity, you might want to acquire this one: https://reverb.com/item/1459627-leon-th ... min-c-1938

In 1993 a documentary movie about Leon Theremin appeared; see http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108323/?ref_=fn_al_tt_3. Leon Theremin himself appears in the film.

Two of the other principals in that film, namely Clara Rockmore and Robert Moog (yes, he of legend), had previously (1977) collaborated on an LP recording, "The Art of the Theremin" (re-issued 1987 on Delos CD DE 1014), featuring Ms. Rockmore on Theremin, with piano accompaniment by her sister, Nadia Reisenberg, performing arrangements of short pieces by Saint-Saëns, Tchaikovsky, Glazunov, De Falla, et al. I saw the movie at the time it was current, and I own the Delos CD. Both are worth tracking down and experiencing, if you're interested.

Henry, I wanted a theramin "record", not a $75,000 theramin...

To be specific, a Victor Orthophonic record - "You're Driving Me Crazy" performed on a Victor theramin...

I'ver got one, Curt---only $100,000! Hurry before it's gone....

What a deal Henry... it's just $99,990 over my budget...

Kurt Nauck has a copy of this record for sale in his current auction (VRA62) in E-- condition with a $50.00 minimum bid. Item #4333.

Jim

Wonderful to see this topic discussed. I've been fascinated for years and have several other less scarce theremin 78s including Lennington H. Shewell: Lover, come back to me/Dancing with tears in my eyes (Victor 22495, 1930) and the Spellbound soundtrack set.

Theremin's story is amazing and I would recommend his biography, although it's a lengthy and dense read. The film is very moving too, especially when he's "rediscovered" in much later life and brought to the US again after so many decades.

I have Moog theremin myself and play it occasionally - fearsomely difficult to make it sound musical, even though I have a slight head start from playing trombone and some knack with note-positions. Great to see that link to the 1938 instrument - dream on!

Orchorsol wrote:
I have Moog theremin myself and play it occasionally - fearsomely difficult to make it sound musical, even though I have a slight head start from playing trombone and some knack with note-positions. Great to see that link to the 1938 instrument - dream on!

You mean to tell me that the theremin is more fearsomely difficult to play than the trombone? If so, no thank you---the old sliding trombone posed quite enough of a challenge. After 40+ years, I almost had it mastered!