Theremin - Clara Rockmore play "Habanera" (Ravel)

[pianojoseph84]

Love the original piece, and this interpretation of it. 

[JoshColeH2O]

I guess it helps when you married the guy who invented the instrument! She's one of the best though

[catch2370]

Right on, HartfordTommy- I wish it was this sort of thing that pumped through speakers in shopping malls and stupid strip malls that litter this country's landscape instead of the BS top 40 radio fodder. Is that an oil painting of Paul Robeson behind her??

[thebiggestsquirrel]

I love it, at 0'38 the doorbell rings.

[maragaram]

She clearly rocks more than almost anybody. And that's no pun.

[Marcosgoal]

i never heard about this woman before, but she made me cry with this song, i hope she could play forever the theremin wherever she is

[frcknxdelicious]

she's so adorable :) it made me smile in the beginning when she said the song name <3

[AdmiralBarackbar]

she goes into this state, where nobody could guess what she was thinking of. and that is why I love her music.

[smartfkr]

@AdmiralBarackbar i think she's thinking about the feeling and sound coming through the energy she was making explode in her feelings... its like when you want to play the piano and wish it'd make the sounds you'd want it to, or like playing a viola... its art.. the feelings we feel and see in our minds is what we interpret for others... she was thinking beauty through her imagination... through herself.

[jojohernandez14]

do i sense a taste of legend of zelda in this song??

[BandofPants]

@jojohernandez14 That's what I was thinking. Fff weird :D

[Sars78]

@jojohernandez14 Me too

[JonasClark]

@jojohernandez14 Or perhaps the writers of "Legend of Zelda" were inspired by this.

[jojohernandez14]

@JonasClark

Maybe.....Maybe..



[JonasClark]

@jojohernandez14 Oh, I'm guessing Ravel inspired many future songs.

[jojohernandez14]

@JonasClark

idk,i just love this piece tho' lol

[Rayo000008]

If she wanted to give the world for free these demonstrations of the wonderfull artistic capabilities of theremins, of course whoever sent it to YouTube I'm sure he/she was successful. Not enough though...

[bckm54]

What I REALLY like about this piece is that it demonstrates the mid (and lower?) range of the theremin, when really, most of the theremin music is of the "Theme and Variations on Star Treck" variety. Not that it's bad, but I am learning so much about this wonderful instrument, that its really nice to see things "outside the box".

[sgtgarb]

This woman is a master.

[malondo7]

perfect blend of song,instrument and person..haunting to be sure

[Barika3000]

gorgeous and haunting...

thank you for posting this.

[Ear4Beauty]

The only classical piece I know of with this intrument is, I think a violin or piano concerto by Kachatorian. But I don't recall the mastery of its possibilities.

[coasterman16]

@Ear4Beauty I think you're thinking of the flexitone used in the second movement of Khachaturian's Piano Concerto. It's not a theremin, but it sounds pretty similar.

[rayva1]

Someone attempted a little concert using a saw for an instrument in 'America's Got Talent' and what did the judges say? "It was too creepy". Well how much more if someone demonstrated their musical talent using this instrument?

[SinisterWalrus]

I KNOW! How dare they claim the right to judge musical talent when they can't appreciate true artistry when it slaps them in the face!

[mrtvi46]

This is absolutely amazing! The skill, the concentration, the precision and vibrance. Wow!

[EskolainenKarma]

Horror movie music

[crapatitus]

thats true, unfortunately. lucky there are people like clara who try to break those barriers. the theremin indeed is a serious instrument, capable of so much more than being just some silly little horror movie music instrument

[bergen747]

This is one of the pinnacles of theremin playing. Lucky we have the video or one would not believe that such a performance is possible with this instrument.

[irotinmyskin]

wow god bless her! she was amazing!

[deannaisgod]

love it

[johndcorr]

All hail Clara Rockmore! What extraordinary physical discipline! Please tell me mastery of the Theremin did not pass away with her!

[JonasClark]

Gotta find me a little portable tube amp for my Etherwave, anyone know where to get inexpensive ones? As to the vid, this (and most or all the rest posted) are on "The Art of the Theremin", a CD of these two performing. Very happy to be able to watch her incredible pitch technique during this intricate piece.

[indigonegative]

Look amazing, but it sounds she's playing a song with engine SFX from an NES game

[mrpiano37]

2:15!

[ffangeles]

Que instrumento mas feo

[TubaGuy88]

Es una theremin

[emptheremin]

Me gustaría saber por que lo consideras feo.

[ffangeles]

No se :D bueno enrealidad si se pero es muy tonta la razon . . . simplemente porque nunca lo vi antes y parece de otro planeta :/ mas que veo quise decir extraño y por demas u_u

[leonelreo]

absolutamente hipnótico. estremecedor.

[WHITTEEY777]

heh i dont wanna sound like a un-knowledgeable jerk but if she played guitar she could probably solo the crap out of it. hehe all in good fun though she definitely has mastered the instrument to where she has full control. arthritis pays off eh? hehe

(im gonna get baad ratings on this comment for shure)

[DrummerCoCa]

I don't know much about the models of theremins, but I agree; the Etherwave Standard that I use is kinda off. It always sounds just the tiniest bit buzzy, when I want a good, playable, smooth and low-pitched sound like this one. I won't be getting any more theremins anytime soon though, because I don't "officially" play it.

[killanator21]

i personally dont like the sound of the etherwaves, i really like the one she is playing but i understand it was a custom model made by leon theremin for her? what theremins sound somewhat like this one?

[CelloBaker]

Not only that, but those were tube systems, too, and almost all theremins today are solid state. Solid state may be cleaner, but it also lacks that "aura" that tubes have. Ask anyone with a nice tube setup for their turntable!

[killanator21]

well even if you put an etherwave through a tube system, idk if it would sound this fat. i mean if you took the output of both and put them through a graphic equalizer im sure this would show more harmonics.

[CelloBaker]

No, what I'm saying is that Theremin itself was a tube-based system, as opposed to the solid-state etherwave.

[killanator21]

oh i understand now. well it definitely sounds better then an etherwave to my ears. although probably a lot more expensive

[killsknuckles]

is the sound coming from her mouth?

[piebald111]

Please look up the theremin. It is the instrument she is so masterfully playing, in case you hadn't noticed it.

[daveboy44]

HartfordTommy, is this video available on DVD? I have just purchased a Moog etherwave theremin and am anxously awaiting its arrival. I am a member of the Chicago Symphony and look forward to learning how to play a little on this very difficult instrument. I have been a fan of Clara Rockmore for more than 20 years. Her musicianship was on a par with Maria Callas and Fritz Kreisler. Only her instrument kept her from a wider audience.  I am moved by her performances.

[PoetReid]

Hello, Dave, this is Reid Welch, aka "HartfordTommy". YES the recordings are all available in high fidelity on disks, even on rare, original-issue LPs. SEE my input to "The Swan" video for more about myself in love with Clara. I was her last love, and she remains my first.

[pachecodamelam]

uich lo senti en el estomago, gracias.

[rongpockle]

What utterly superb pitch and feel. She does not just move her arm but her whole body and retains total mastery of the melody. I must recommend all of yaoikan1981's videos. Thank you!!

[mnardoni65]

THIS IS FUCKING AMAZING, but, somehow it's scary too... :$

[sglent]

Wonder woman !!!

[Symphonicprelude]

Outstanding ! When did she make these recordings ?

[cattieloves]

This is so weird! It's really cool, and I'm sure this lady is amazing at it, but the sound of it kind of gives me a headache.

[noleno]

I love theremin please Moog

[kenplaysviola]

this piece sounds horrible on a theremin

[BlueCougar]

feel free to do a better version, on any instrument.

[Brandob971]

@BlueCougar ill do drums :D

[NexCarnifex]

@BlueCougar Hey, I think this version is pretty cool.

[gr8tbigtreehugger]

BRAVO!

[psusennes]

I know that Moog music will try. . . and succeed in getting this video removed. . . . but if they read this, then I BEG them not to. YouTube needs some balance! There are so many dire theremin videos.

[hardwaremister101]

We BOTH beg they keep it! There's no Better way to spread's Bob's legacy than allowing interested people in theremin watch this. It's only a matter of time musicians get to know this.

BTW, I think the other times clara stuff was uploaded to youtube was in fact pieces of the 'theremin, an electronic odissey'. MGM has the copyright of that footage and they always asked for that videos to be brought down.

[hardwaremister101]

This time, however, the copyright of all this videos is held directly by Moog Music INC, and I hope for the wellbeing of the theremin and its future they allow it to be kept online for casual watchers.

After all (and even for selfishness), it doesn't hurt them to have free theremin publicity and raising interest over their instruments; isn't it?

Goo moog! keep this online ;)

[psusennes]

Well, the video is mainly sold to a specialist audience anyway. I doubt they'd see this as an alternative to buying the DVD.

[HartfordTommy]

I conducted the final interview of Clara Rockmore.

She wanted her work to be freely shared.

The late Robert Moog made these recordings in the mid 70's, and these videos belong to his heirs.

Again, Robert Moog never earned money from them during her lifetime, nor did she.

She would want herself to be heard freely by all who come here;

She said as much in her final declaration.

It was her aim to promote the instrument, to spur successors to carry on and equal, and if possible, to exceed.

[NGAYDAY]

I am so glad to be able to see & hear Ms. Rockmore performing w-her moog theremin. She will be my teacher. She and Robert Moog will not be forgotten. There are many unsung artists, heroes, inventors in this lifetime. We, who recognize their contributions and the injustices of not being rightfully praised and/or compensated, are left to make sure they are not forgotten. Thanks for sharing.

[aaronlow1977]

The Theremin she is playing on is not a Moog Theremin, but a Theremin designed and built by Theremin himself. I highly recommend watching "Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey", 1993; it is a great tribute.

It is a shame that the Theremin is more of a spooky intstrument and not generally respected for it's outstanding classical potential.

[NGAYDAY]

Oops, sorry, my mistake. I saw and heard the difference as I watched Ms. Rockmore playing. I didn't proof before posting my comment.

[HartfordTommy]

My name is Reid Welch (google the name for relationship) I)

The Moog people are good folks. I knew Bob slightly, and I knew Clara very well indeed. No one of them ever made a dime off of any of the productions; costs were never recaptured. No royalties were ever collected.

Moog never made money off of Clara.

That said (I have to start a new form)

[HartfordTommy]

Clara never earned a dime from her recordings sold by Delos. She accepted getting stiffed by them, as did Bob, who made all the recordings.

That said, Clara's great wish during her dying years, was to have her legacy shared as freely as possible. This includes all her remains.

That's no legal authority, but it is morally right to respect her wishes. She was beautiful.

[HartfordTommy]

Closure: I still weep whenever I write of Clara Rockmore.

She only wanted to make you feel, see and hear beautiful things, wonderful things, forever.

[hardwaremister101]

Towering any other ether player...

Andddd... look the UNEVEN distancies of this old theremins!

She still remains the best BY FAR!