An Electronic Odyssey

Watch the definitive and award winning Theremin documentary Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey now available on DVD.

Theremin - An Electronic Odyssey
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Description

The stranger-than-fiction true story of the father of electronic music is captivatingly told in this highly acclaimed and endlessly surprising documentary (Leonard Maltin) that garnered the prestigious Filmmakers Trophy at the 1994 Sundance Film Festival. Set against the backdrop of the instrument's ethereal sound, Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey is nothing short of sensational! In the 1920s and 30s, Russian émigré Leonard Thereminthe inventor of the world's first electronic musical instrumenthad it all. His self-named theremins were in high demand from filmmakers and musicians around the globe; he was married to a beautiful American dancer; he lived among New York's socialelite. And then, in 1938, he mysteriously vanished, not to be seen again for over 50 years!

Leon Theremin was the secret link between sci-fi films, the Beach Boys, and Carnegie Hall. His self-named electronic musical instrument--the first of its kind--took the world by storm in the 1920s and '30s. Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey, winner of Sundance's Filmmakers Trophy, explores the inventor's strange life and times, including his mysterious 50-year disappearance beginning in the 1940s. Interviews with theremin virtuoso Clara Rockmore, synthesizer pioneer Robert Moog, and Theremin's contemporaries, as well as clips from movies such as The Day the Earth Stood Still, featuring the unworldly sounds of his creation, show an eccentric genius working toward success until his sudden vanishing in the Soviet Union. Footage of Theremin at 94 years old, finally rediscovered and rewarded for his achievements, brings a celebratory ending to what could be a grim or at least uncertain story, but instead is a fascinating documentary. --Rob Lightner

DVD Information

Binding: DVD
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Brand: Unknown
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
Original Release Date: 1995-08-24
Actors:

Leon Theremin
Robert Moog
Clara Rockmore
Nicolas Slonimsky
Paul Shure

Reviews

I'm not sure what I was expected when I got this DVD. I guess I was wanting a little more actual theremin playing (I could have used about 30 minutes more of Clara playing) and less "historical/political context", but over all this was still an interesting documentary. The final scenes showing Theremin walking the streets of New York and visiting Rockmore were both heartbreaking and touching to me. I'm not sure what Theremin's intentions were when inventing the Theremin (if he was thinking of it more as a "legitimate" musical instrument as Rockmore did or if he was more interested in it as an electrical device), but with the hindsight of knowing how little the Theremin is appreciated today (both as a music instrument and an electrical device), Theremin's tale feels almost more sad than anything else. Other highlights included the comments by Robert Moog (who invented some kind of synthesizer and is also one of the better known manufacturers of theremin today), and stories about Theremin's other "creative" musical inventions (who knew there were "theremin dancers"???). Despite generally being quite enjoyable, there were a few scenes that were absolutely horrible. One consisted of a historian/"musician" banging on a piano for what seemed like 2 minutes at least (it was probably less... but the scene was horribly annoying and whatever point he was attempting to illustrate with his piano "playing" was completely lost on me - it was seriously bad... I almost turned it off). The other was of some guy from the Beach Boys (I'm too young to care about the Beach Boys, aside from their being frequently referenced on Full House) being annoying and self-indulgent and randomly swearing for no reason. I assume the point of including him on the documentary was to discuss the use of Theremin in popular music (as in the Beach Boy's song "Good Vibrations"), although he didn't really say anything of any relevance and he lost me at the first "F-Bomb" (I'm no prude when it comes to language, but I certainly wasn't expecting it in a Theremin documentary!!!!). It's a good thing I already have no respect for the Beach Boys, because he certainly would have destroyed it! Overall, This was an interesting look into the life of the creator of the Theremin. It's certainly worth a look for anyone interested in the instrument. However, if you're really just wanting to appreciate the theremin's musical capabilities (as I think I was), download some Rockmore recordings. They're infinitely more satisfying...

A gifted scientist and musician, Leon Theramin was the darling the music scene when he introduced his paradigm shifting instrument in the 1920's. He pioneered electronic music, lived the good life and rubbed elbows with New York's upper crust. He challenged social paradigms as well, marrying a black woman decades before the civil rights movement brought the United States to its senses. Then he disappeared, supposedly spirited away by the KGB in broad daylight. Rumors of his death circulated, but in fact, Theramin spent the next sixty years or so of his life in prison and developing espionage technology for the KGB. This is his story told through interviews and archival footage. Although the documentary doesn't flow as well as it could, Theramin's life story is riveting.

I've not viewed this for awhile but what comes to mind is the account of Russian musical inventor Leonard Theremin's abduction from his NYC studio and brought to the USSR by Stalinist agents, in the 1920's, to be impressed into service to various projects against him his will and restricted freedom for a very large portion of his life and Friends could not get the US government to take any action whatsoever in securing his release or even to protest outrage. He did get to return in time to receive some accolades and honors for his work and know it influenced people who were the age his grandchildren would have been. It all came off as quite heartbreaking sad and tragic.

i had seen this at the movies (3 times) had found vcr's and had given them to my son (a musician in "trout fishing in america") and other friends. i decided it had to be in my permanent collection of dvd's and i have already loaned it, but am keeping track. it is marvelous. nidlet

A fascinating documentary about the developer of the forerunner of the Moog synthesiser Dr Theremin, a Russian physicist who moved to the U.S. in the 1920s. Not only do you get to hear and see the Theremin being played (it is actually not touched), which is fascinating in itself, but you get the story of Dr Theremin's vanishing from the U.S. and his return to Russia in 1938. He is subsequently discovered in Russia and he returns briefly to the U.S. in the 90s, prior to his subsequent death back in Russia in 1994. There are interviews with Brian Wilson and others about their use of the Theremin. This won an award at Sundance in 1994