Rare Theremin recording of Lucie Bigelow Rosen

[CharlieDraper]

I had a copy of this exact same recording stored on my computer (timestamped to 2008, minus the interview), but have absolutely no idea where I downloaded it, or where it came from! The mysterious theremin strikes again...

[viranilebeachcomber]

So cool. Thanks for posting Thorwald. Where's her accent from, I don't remember her being a foreigner ?

[thorwaldjorgensen]

@viranilebeachcomber She was American, so I don't know where the accent is from! maybe just a way to try to be more distinguished :-)

[bentleyr00d]

Lucie Bigelow Dodge Rosen was a member of two wealthy, well-educated and distinguished American families, and I imagine she was taught to speak this way. I know a younger (but now quite old) cousin of hers and he sounds sort of British to me, too. Lucie also spent part of her teenage years in England. She moved there after her mother divorced her father and married Sir. Lionel Guest, so that may have influenced her speech as well.

[thorwaldjorgensen]

@bentleyr00d Thanks for this info! Didn't know she spent some time in the UK as a child. Always good to know new info :-)

[yzkwetch]

@viranilebeachcomber

Maybe she was trying to speak as clearly as possible, so that non-native English speakers would understand…

[manidig]

@viranilebeachcomber That's a "finishing school" accent. All young women of society spoke this way those days. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis also had this type of accent.

[misshypnotique]

What a fantastic document and so wondefully put together, Miss Rosen is a very sophisticated player for this era, it's a shame there's no released recordings of her work (I think?), thanks for putting it together

[jslasher1]

@misshypnotique When I produced a CD featuring the Theremin a few years ago I was unable to locate any recordings of Miss Rosen. The same holds true today.

[copperleaves]

Wonderful video! Without the generous financial backing of Lucie Rosen, inventor Leon Theremin would not have been able to continue his work in New York City after RCA ceased manufacturing theremins in the early 1930's. Her enthusiasm for the instrument may have surpassed her musical talent but she was a tireless promoter of the theremin and everyone who knew her, loved her. BTW, Lucie's regular accompanist was pianist Frank Chatterton, it may be him on the recording. Thanks for posting.

[ThomasZunk]

Thank you very much for posting it, Thorwald.

She indeed had style!

Beautiful photographs and just wonderful to hear her talk.

[GordonCharlton]

I love the first photo! The lady had *style*.

[DavesTrumpet]

Thank you very much for posting this rarity!

[hardwaremister101]

That's a really fantastic finding of theremin history;)