Alexander Breton, Thereminvox

Home | Bio | Contact | Pictures | Music | Links | Bookings


Invented in 1917 by Lev Sergeivitch Termen, the Theremin is the most versatile
musical instrument ever created. It is played without any physical contact whatsoever.
There are no strings, frets, nothing but two antennae... The hands are used to manipulate a
magnetic field to create music. The musician literally pulls the music out of the air with her
hands as you can see in the photo below. The Theremin is also quite possibly, the most difficult
instrument to learn how to play well.

The lovely Miss Stepanov, a trained musician, draws music from the air by means of the RCA theremin, while
Dr. Paul R. Heyl (left) explains the phenomenon before the science forum of the New York Electrical Society.
Alexandra Stepanov was Lev Termen's first student. Dr. Heyl looks like he really wants to enter her "magic circle".


An unknown Thereminist plays the RCA Theremin.

th1 th2 th4

Promotional Brochure, circa 1930's, New York City. Titled "The RCA Theremin - Not a Radio, Not a Phonograph", Art Deco design with photographs. "An absolutely new unique musical instrument anyone can play" or so the brochure claims...

The contents of all music, photos, graphics, text and videos are protected by copyright and may
not be used or reproduced without prior express written authorization from the publisher.

Copyright © 2005 Alexander Breton, All rights reserved.