Theremin UK - News

[tour] The Night Terrors - Europe - October-November

2009-11-13T23:19:00.000Z

THE NIGHT TERRORS EUROPEAN TOUR DATES

01/10/09 - THE WINDMILL BRIXTON, LONDON, UK
02/10/09 - THE WHEATSHEAF, OXFORD, UK
04/10/09 - BAR JUUKSUR, TALLINN, ESTONIA
05/10/09 - CLUBE LIBERTE, HELSINKI, FINLAND
06/10/09 - KLUB DEPO, RIGA, ESTONIA
07/10/09 - CSA NEXT EMERSON, FLORENCE, ITALY
08/10/09 - SINISTER NOISE CLUB, ROME, ITALY
09/10/09 - CIRCOLO ARCI VALVERDE, FORLI, ITALY
10/10/09 - EKHAUS, VIENNA, AUSTRIA
11/10/09 - KAW, LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY
14/10/09 - LADES KÆLDER, COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
15/10/09 - PARAGRAFEN, OSLO, NORWAY
18/10/09 - THE PITS, KORTRIJK, BELGIUM
19/10/09 - LE SELECT, LILLE, FRANCE
20/10/09 - THE CARDIGAN ARMS, LEEDS, UK
21/10/09 - MEZE FESTIVAL, NEWPORT, UK w ELECTRIC ELECTRIC
22/10/09 - THE GAFF, NORTH LONDON, UK
24/10/09 - THE CROSS KINGS, KINGS CROSS, LONDON
28/10/09 - CIRCOLO ACROPOLIS, MILAN, ITALY
30/10/09 - RUMPELTUM, ST GALLEN, SWITZERLAND
31/10/09 - HYBRIDA SPACE, UDINE, ITALY
05/11/09 - LES COMBUSTIBLES, PARIS, FRANCE
06/11/09 - LE DOCK, GRENOBLE, FRANCE
08/11/09 - LE KORIGAN, AIX EN PROVENCE, FRANCE w NICK OLIVERI
09/11/09 - CBGC'S, GIGORS, FRANCE w NICK OLIVERI
13/11/09 - THE SCALA, LONDON, UK w DOPE STARS INC. FADERHEAD

The Night Terrors:

Spawned from the festering miasma of the Melbourne underground scene, The Night Terrors‘ theremin-fueled electro-noise has been petrifying punters since the year 2000. The Terrors’ formula of soaring theremin, thunderous metal-bass, breakneck drumming and vintage horror synth has earnt them a reputation as one of Australia’s most unusual and original bands.

Featuring a completely instrumental lineup, with lead melodies handled by the dexterous theremin playing of Miles Brown (a student of Lydia Kavina) The Night Terrors offer a mind-melting alternative to the standard instrumental/postrock formula. No vocals, no guitars, just theremin, synth, bass and drums, this is mesmerising, other-worldly, spine-tinglingly psychedelic synth-centric electro rock.

[project] The BuildBrighton Theremin Build

2009-10-30T09:59:00.000Z

Emily Toop, project organiser writes:

You can find out all about our theremin project on our website, buildbrighton.com/wiki/Theremin. BuildBrighton is a hackerspace, a permanent workshop set up to provide a space and a community for all people interested in electronics, physical computing, A-life and crafts. Basically we provide a space for anyone who builds something, but does not have anywhere to do it.

The theremin is a project we have started to fulfill part of an alliance we have struck with local club promoters, Playgroup. The theremin will be used as part of a 'deal sweetener' and will have to be completed ready to be presented to music act Evil Nine on 30th October at our Launch Party at The Komedia in Brighton.

None of us have ever built a theremin before so we're kind of making it up as we go, but then that's half the fun. In order to be a part of the project, you would need to join BuildBrighton. Membership is on a monthly subscription basis (we are a not for profit group and all subscriptions and money raised goes towards providing the space, equipment and machinery for the group) and costs £10-£20 depending on the members circumstances. We also operate a £5 drop in fee, with a free 'taster' session. Membership gives you access to the space 24/7, use of all equipment and machinery available in the space and free attendance to all workshops, talks and tutorials.

Currently we meet every Thursday on group nights, but the space is available 24/7 and the Theremin project will be conducted outside of the regular meetups on Wednesday nights.

[gig] Seb Rochford and Pamelia Kurstin - Oxford - 15 October

2009-10-15T17:30:00.003Z

Arguably the UK’s most sought-after drummer, Seb Rochford (Polar Bear, Acoustic Ladyland, Ingrid Laubrock Quintet, Fulborn Teversham, Brian Eno to name a few) teams up with Pamelia Kurstin, who has just recorded a duo album with Seb.

Oxford’s own “gig-in-a-gallery happening,” Nightshift. Gather in the gallery’s foyer at 5.30pm and join a guided exhibition tour to see great new art before settling down in the café from 6pm to hear great new music.

Date:
Thursday, 15 October 2009
Time:
17:30 - 20:30
Location:
Modern Art Oxford
Street:
Pembroke Street
Town/City:
Oxford, United Kingdom

Cost: £3 (Concessions £2) Booking recommended.

Booking is by phone to the Modern Art Oxford Events Booking Line: 01865 813800

[workshop] Lydia Kavina - Oxford - 3rd of October

2009-10-02T23:10:00.000Z

Theremin Workshop with Lydia Kavina Where: Denis Arnold Hall, Music Faculty, St. Aldate’s, Oxford When: 3rd October 2009 - 12.00 - 4.00

The workshop includes sessions for beginners and advanced players, as well as an ensemble workshop for all levels.

Attendance is free for observers and £30 for participants (£15 for children/students/pensioners) payable on the door.

More information and registration here.

Hypnotique plays Trafalgar Square

2009-10-02T23:02:00.000Z

Today from 8pm to 9pm, Hypnotique participated in the living sculpture One & Other by Antony Gormley. (The sculptor best known for The Angel Of The North)

Full footage can be streamed from Hypnotique's page on the One & Other website.

[gig] Lydia Kavina & Radio Science Orchestra - Oxford - 23rd of July

2009-07-23T15:00:00.001Z

Lydia Kavina and The Radio Science Orchestra (Bruce Woolley & Co.) will be performing "The Nature Of Things Unseen" at the conference TEDGlobal 2009 on July 23rd at 3:00pm.

Sadly, Theremin UK only heard about this event after the conference was sold out. :-(

[workshop] Lydia Kavina - Oxford - 20th of July

2009-07-20T12:00:00.009Z

Theremin Workshop with Lydia Kavina

Where: Denis Arnold Hall, Music Faculty, St. Aldate’s, Oxford

When: 20th July 2009 - 12.00 - 3.00

The workshop includes sessions for beginners and advanced players, as well as an ensemble workshop for all levels.

Attendance is free for observers and £30 for participants (£15 for children/students/pensioners) payable on the door.

More information and registration here.

[gig] Spacedog - Hastings - 20th of June

2009-06-20T08:30:00.000Z

If you are in the Hastings area on 20 June, you must see Electroplasm, an evening of gothic musical delights, featuring the theremin. It's a night of haunting female vocals, bells, vintage synth and theremin, as Spacedog play music to chill you to the bone. Sarah Angliss will be playing 'straight' theremin and also be using her theremin-based sample controller.

This set comes hot on the heels of their packed out shows at the Science Museum, London, and the Brighton Festival Fringe. As well as their music, there will be some live recording on wax, using a genuine 1904 Edison phonograph.

Spacedog are Sarah and Jenny Angliss.

Gig details:

Hastings
Saturday 20 June
Eat@ 12 Claremont
Tickets: 01424 426768

8.30pm
Tickets £5 adv. £7 on door

More info here. Check details with venue before going.

[video] Hands Off 2007

2009-06-15T10:39:00.009Z

[gig] Pamelia Kurstin: London: 14th of June

2009-06-14T19:30:00.001Z

Pamelia Kurstin will be performing as part of Yoko Ono And The Plastic Ono Band at the Royal Festival Hall on Sunday the fourteenth of June at 7:30pm.

There are seats left in the rear stalls (£20) and balcony (£25) as of Friday 5th.

Booking and details at The Southbank Centre website.

(Post a comment if you're going, I'll see you there.)

[book][cd] Gordon Charlton - The Beat Frequency Method

2009-05-22T14:37:00.002Z

The Beat Frequency Method is now available in hard copy, and it includes a CD of Beat Frequency's first album, The Chordless Chord, for only £8.00 plus postage.

It's a sensibly priced CD with an oversized booklet, or it's an overpriced booklet with a free CD. Either way, it's essential reading and listening for the sonic explorer with a theremin!

Preview The Beat Frequency Method here.

Preview some tracks from The Chordless Chord here:

Full details and order form at beat-frequency.blogspot.com

[podcast] Mick Bordet - Short Theremin Story

2009-05-22T14:22:00.004Z

Location: Great Hites weekly short story podcast #53

Info:
Mick Bordet (theremin player from The Lunacy Board) has a short story included in this week's edition of Great Hites that deals with the theremin and astral projection. It also features some background theremin effects throughout the story.

Website:
greathites.blogspot.com

[gig] Charlie Draper: Cambridge: 6th of May

2009-05-06T18:00:00.002Z

Concert and Talk

Join Charlie Draper on a musical voyage through time and space to explore the diverse, exciting and at times shocking ninety-year history of electronic music. Encompassing events from the Russian Revolution to the present day, the mysterious tale of the world's first purely electronic instrument played entirely in midair is sure to enrapture and enthrall.

Time: 6:00pm
Cost: £5.00

More info and booking here.

[gig] Spacedog - Brighton - 8-10 May

2009-04-01T15:12:00.002Z

Electroplasm is part of the Brighton Fringe.

More info, booking etc. here.

[CD] Spellbound - Lydia Kavina - Mode Records

2009-04-01T14:59:00.003Z

As a follow-up to her first CD of original theremin works, "Music from the Ether", Lydia Kavina returns with first recordings of major works for theremin and ensemble.

The first recording of Miklos Rosza's chamber version of music from the Hitchcock film "Spellbound".

3 premiere recordings of works by Howard Shore, Olga Neuwirth and Christian Wolff.

2 premiere recordings of graphically notated works for multiple theremins by Percy Grainger.

Oscar winning composer Howard Shore ("Lord of the Rings") created his suite from the movie "Ed Wood" especially for Kavina, who performed on the original movie soundtrack.

Leading Austrian composer Olga Neuwirth created this suite from her opera "Bahläams Fest" for Kavina, who performed in the opera's premiere.

Christian Wolff wrote "Exercise 58" especially for this project.

Shore and Wolff supervised the recording and rehearsal of their works.

This program was premiered at the 2000 Lincoln Center Summer Festival to a sold-out audience and received rave reviews.

Liner notes by theremin expert Olivia Mattis.

Original 96khz/24-bit high definition recording.

Enhanced CD features a 16-minute video documentary from the recording sessions, including interviews with Kavina, Shore and Wolff.

[gig] Lydia Kavina - Oxford - 1 Oct

2008-10-01T12:00:00.001Z

Location: Oxford

Venue: Oxford University Faculty of
Music and Bate Collection

Details: BASEES Russian and East European Music Study Group Annual One-Day Conference in association with the Oxford University Faculty of Music and the Bate Collection

RUSSIA'S MUSICAL REVOLUTIONARIES

Denis Arnold Hall, Music Faculty, St. Aldate’s, Oxford, Wednesday 1 October 2008 

Programme

9.30-10.00 COFFEE  

10.00-11.45 MORNING SESSION
Chair: Katerina Levidou (Christchurch, Oxford)
Margareta Tillberg (Max Planck Institute, Berlin): “Matiushin’s Sonic Colour”
Lidia Ader (St. Petersburg Conservatoire): “Georgy Rimsky-Korsakov and Quarter-Tone Music in 1920s Soviet Russia”
Elena Petrushanskaya (Academy of Sciences Institute of the Arts, Moscow): “Termen, Avraamov and Music for the Masses”

11.45-12.00 COFFEE

12.00-12.45 Lecture-demonstration by theremin virtuoso Lydia Kavina, who will discuss the revolutionary electronic instrument invented by her great-uncle Lev Termen in 1920, and the political biography of its creator.

12.45-2.15 LUNCH  

2.15-4.00 AFTERNOON SESSION
Chair: Pauline Fairclough (University of Bristol)
Simo Mikkonen (Stanford University): “Persimfans: The Revolutionary Conductorless Orchestra”
Jeremy Arden (University of Hertfordshire): “Who’s Afraid of Joseph Schillinger?”
Ilya Levinson (University of Chicago): “’Systematic’ Gershwin: Evidence for the Schillinger System in Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess”

4.00-4.30 TEA

4.30-5.30 "Hands On, Hands Off" workshop with Lydia Kavina at the Bate Collection. Participants will be invited to try out for themselves different models of the theremin.

7.30 Theremin recital by Lydia Kavina, accompanied by Philip Bullock (piano), Newman Room, Catholic Chaplaincy, Rose Place, St. Aldate’s (opposite Christchurch Gardens). Tickets (£10) will be available from Tickets at Oxford and on the door.

ATTENDANCE AT THE CONFERENCE AND WORKSHOP IS FREE; NO REGISTRATION IS NECESSARY. ALL ARE WELCOME.

Enquiries: Rosamund Bartlett
More info: www.basees.org.uk/sgreem.shtm www.bate.ox.ac.uk www.music.ox.ac.uk

[gig] Alexander Thomas - Coventry - 6th September

2008-09-06T07:18:00.000Z

Location: Coventry

Venue: Taylor John's House

Details:
Alexander Thomas plays support to the wonderful Hauschka, aka Dusseldorf's Volker Bertelmann.

"[Hauschka's] work is based upon an exploration of the possibilities of the prepared piano - a playfully disruptive intervention into the preconceived idea of the piano as a pure-toned, perfected instrument waiting for a gifted virtuoso to play on it. Instead, Volker explores and influences the outcome of his playing by getting right down inside the instrument - clamping wedges of leather, felt or rubber between the strings; preparing the hammers with aluminium paper or rough films; placing crown corks on the strings, weaving guitar strings around the piano's guts, or pasting them down with gaffa tape. These little modifications throw up an array of rustling, drumming, shivering, scraping, resonating sounds which either provide the focus / drive for a piece or hook the ear into an intriguing, slightly unusual frame."

http://www.ghosttownpresents.co.uk

[gig] Charlie Draper & Katy Moe - Bristol - 16 Aug

2008-08-16T20:30:00.000Z

Location: Bristol

Venue: Café Delight, 189 Gloucester Road, Bristol BS7 8BG - 0117 944 1133

Time: 8:30pm - 9:30pm

Details: Extreme Theremin Recital

Join Charlie and Katy on a voyage through time and space to explore the diverse, exciting and at times extreme history of electronic music. Spanning four hundred years of musical history, encompassing events from the Fall of Atlantis to the Russian Revolution, the mysterious tale of the world's first purely electronic instrument, played entirely in midair, is guaranteed to enrapture and enthrall.

Tickets (£4/£3) are available on the door from 8 o'clock.

Confirm details with venue.

[workshop] Miss Hypnotique - Nottingham - 2 Aug

2008-08-02T10:00:00.001Z

Location: Nottingham

Venue: The Art Organisation, 21 Station Street, NG2 3AJ

Details: As part of the Art Organisation's summer workshop series, Miss Hypnotique (Susi O'Neill) is hosting a workshop for people of all ages to learn to play the theremin, the world's first electronic musical instrument from 1920s Russia, which is played without touch. In the workshop you will:

- Get a chance to play a professional theremin
- Learn the technique to play and compose on the theremin
- Hear a theremin performance and learn about its history
- Join in the 'Theremin Idol' competition (for children)

There are three sessions (2nd August):

Primary children (7-11): 10 - 11.30am
Secondary chldren (12-16): 11.30 - 1.15pm
Adults: 1.30 - 3.30pm

Costs:
Children: £6
Adults: £10
Adults concessions (students, pensioners, benefits): £8

Booking: To attend you MUST pre-book a place, please email your name, tel number and the workshop you or your child wishes to attend: Susi O'Neill: susioneill{at}gmail.com, Tel: 07981 222799

To find out more about theremin workshops see here.

[cd] The Lunacy Board - Difficult Second

2008-07-14T12:00:00.002Z

The Lunacy Board's second album is released on the 14th of July 2008.

It was written, recorded, mixed and published within the space of 24 hours, with the whole event being webcast live.

The album can be streamed directly or downloaded from the box on the right. Full details are available here, including a link to pre-order a copy now and be amongst the first to hear it.

This album is the second of three albums being released by The Lunacy Board on three consecutive days.

As well as the Board's regular theremin player Mick Bordet, the album features two guest thereminists - Gordon Charlton of Beat Frequency and Wilco Botermans on a number of tracks

[cd] The Lunacy Board - Eponymous Debut

2008-07-13T12:04:00.001Z

The Lunacy Board's first album will be released on the 13th of July 2008.

It features theremin on a number of tracks, including Spellbound playlist regulars "The Unofficial National Anthem" and "Xenochronous Requiem For A Head Laying In A Field In Butler", as well as a collaboration with thereminist Ninki V (though she doesn't play theremin on the track) and others.

Full details are available here, including a link to pre-order a copy now and be amongst the first to hear it.

This album is the first of three albums being released by The Lunacy Board on three consecutive days, including a live webcast of the recording of their second album.

[gig] Alexander Thomas - Sonic Boom Festival - 7th June

2008-06-07T12:55:00.001Z

Location: Coventry

Venue: Taylor John's House

Details:
BJ Cole
Black Carrot
Strap The Button
Aaron Poole
Alexander Thomas
Ian Upton
Alianasian

http://www.ghosttownpresents.co.uk

[gig] Pamelia Kurstin - Bath Festival - 30 May

2008-05-30T20:00:00.000Z

Location: Bath

Venue: Bath Festival

Details:
TBA

Booking opens 17th March.

Check details with venue.

[cd] Memories Of The Future by The Radio Science Orchestra

2008-05-05T09:15:00.007Z

The Radio Science Orchestra's first album, Memories Of The Future, featuring the theremin playing of Lydia Kavina and Bruce Woolley is available now on iTunes. It includes tributes to Barry Gray (Theme From The Mysterons, Aqua Marina) and Ron Grainer (The Dr Who Theme), as well as original music by the RSO.

Tracks: Peace Song to Other Worlds, The Architect, Beachcombing Man, Dr Who, Winter of My Heart, The Professor, Theme from the Mysterons, Mediterranea, Aqua Marina, Most of You, Atom Age Girl, Theme from the Electronic City, For Lydia, The Brightest Star.

[gig ] Hypnotique - Futuresonic 2008 - 3 May

2008-05-03T14:00:00.002Z

The Importance of Being Analogue

Venue:Futuresonic 2008 EVNT

Location: MMU Students’ Union, 99 Oxford Road, Manchester

Details: Saturday 3rd of May 2-4 pm - Free Admission

Featuring a theremin trio comprising Hypnotique, Nachtsmeer and C.Cat.

Check details with venue.