Russian Espionage and Electromagnetic Fields: The Story of the Theremin (2017)

Re:Russian Espionage and Electromagnetic Fields: The Story o... by presiozo on Tuesday May 26, 2020 @09:28AM (#23310832)

All jokes aside, the Theremin is actually quite a remarkable instrument when played correctly. Also remarkable is his listening device, "The Thing", hung for seven years in plain view in the US Ambassador's Moscow office and Soviet agents eavesdropped on secret conversations. Used the same principles as RFID.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Russian Espionage and Electromagnetic Fields: The Story o... by js2 on Tuesday May 26, 2020 @09:51AM (#23311080)

Here's an artist playing one on Tiny Desk Concert:

https://www.npr.org/2019/01/10/683943414/carolina-eyck-and-c...

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Russian Espionage and Electromagnetic Fields: The Story o... by SeanLuke on Tuesday May 26, 2020 @09:57AM (#23311162)

Yep, Carolina Eyck is the best of the best.

Here's the notorious video of her performing the Ecstasy of Gold with voice, theremin, and a looper pedal (that's how she load in multiple sounds and layers them).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajM4vYCZMZk

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Russian Espionage and Electromagnetic Fields: The Story o... by nkozyra on Tuesday May 26, 2020 @09:57AM (#23311158)

It's relatively limited as a standalone instrument (people can make remarkable music with it, don't get me wrong), but really opens up as a CV controller for other instruments. It also makes a really nice source for a talkbox.

I have one and can confirm it's a very complicated instrument to play well. It's a phenomenal piece of early electronic tech.

[ Parent | on HN ]