Out of Thin Air - In praise of the theremin

The sound it produces is beautiful, unsettling, haunting, unmistakable, resembling as one critic famously said, "A cello lost in a dense fog, crying because it does not know how to get home." He was talking about the theremin, that mysterious electronic instrument, whose Bolshevik and Cold War history is as fascinating as the music it makes.

 

The theremin - once hailed as both a musical and scientific breakthrough - has lived most of its modern life on the fringes, in creepy movie soundtracks and pop music cameos. But right here in Canada, the theremin seems to be having a bit of a mainstream moment.

 

Clara Venice, one of the few composers who writes pop music for the theremin , just completed a residency at the National Music Centre in Calgary. She celebrated her return to Toronto with a concert a few weeks ago, and is working on her second EP .
 

Sean Michaels is a Montrealer. His novel, Us Conductors, is a love story rooted in the connection between Lev Theremin - the instrument's inventor - and its most famous player - Clara Rockmore. The book is a finalist for the Scotiabank Giller Prize, which will be awarded tomorrow night.

You can find out much more about Sean Michaels at CBC Books. You can watch the Scotiabank Giller Prize broadcast tomorrow night on CBC Television.
 

Clara Venice  - thereminist and composer - is working on a new album. Her EP is called "Love Riddle." Ms. Venice performed the pop music, and the version of "Amazing Grace", in our documentary.
 

The classical music is performed by Clara Rockmore.

Our documentary, "Out of Thin Air", was produced by Lindsay Michael.