Hello MMD readers,  Just saw today's posting about Theremin
instruments, and thought I'd mention that our Internet newsletter
called The Pianola News has an edition on this subject called:
"The Pianola and The Theremin: A Strange Combination".  Here's the URL
for that article:  http://www.wiscasset.net/artcraft/oldnews4.htm

We have a 1930 (or thereabouts) Aeolian-RCA Theremin, recently restored
by Reid Welch in Miami, FL, and will soon be driving down there, from
Maine, to pick it up.  Back in the 1960's this instrument was used at
our museum, The Musical Wonder House, for duets with my Steinway "AR"
featuring special Duo-Art rolls I perforated for this purpose.

Maine was the center of an International Theremin Festival a few
years ago, which brought Dennis James, whom you mentioned, and others
to Portland, Maine, such as Lydia Kavina (a relative of the Russian
inventor and his last protege).  I believe a scaled-down sequel is in
the works for this year as well.

It's no surprise that there was a connection to the Theremin and
Aeolian player instruments, since RCA began its broadcasting on the
top of Aeolian Hall, prior to the building of Radio City at Rockefeller
Center.  Aeolian was also broadcasting performances of Duo-Art pianos
and pipe organs during this period, from the studio on the top of their
headquarters.

If readers are _really_ interested in the Theremin, I suggested signing
up for the daily digest version of Levnet, the Theremin newsletter.
(Their address is on one of my other laptop computers at this point,
but if you can't locate Levnet via a search engine, I can provide their
Editor's address for you.)

The Theremin began as an electronic violin style of instrument, playing
ethereal melodies.  In later years it was reduced to a sound-effects
machine in 1950's horror films and has also been embraced by the avant-
garde music groups who enjoy "electronic burps" rather than tunes.  It
is not easy to play but is very good with piano accompaniment, even
with simple themes being performed.

Clara Rockmore, whose sister was pianist Nadia Reisenberg (on
phonograph records and Duo-Art rolls), is considered the paramount
Thereminist of her time.  She died shortly after the Portland Festival,
but contributed a short taped greeting to the event, from her New York
City apartment.  Robert Moog has produced an LP, now in CD, of Ms.
Rockmore playing Rachmaninoff, Saint-Saens and other composers,
accompanied by her sister Nadia, and this recording is well worth
having if one is interested in the potential of the instrument.

Contrary of what the Encyclopaedia Britannica says, the Beach Boys did
not use a Theremin as the sound effect in "Good Vibrations".  It was an
electronic simulation of one, on an instrument created for the purpose.
Later they did use a Theremin and this revisionist history has clouded
the issue.

Still, in my opinion, there's nothing like "Dancing In The Dark" or
"Last Rose of Summer" played by a Theremin, accompanied by human
or pneumatic fingers.

If you know what the instrument is, the horror film sound effects
are not scary.  As for electronic "Bronx cheers" on them: boring!
(My opinion.)

Regards from Maine,

Douglas Henderson
Artcraft Music Rolls, Wiscasset, ME 04578 USA
(207) 882-7420
http://www.wiscasset.net/artcraft/