ELECTRONDE (Theremin) of Martin Taubman

This is an archival news film from 1938, showing Martin Taubman and his "Electronde". If you look carefully, you can catch an occasional glimpse of the audio cutoff cable that runs from Taubman's left hand (which he keeps at his side) to the Electronde cabinet. The volume for this device is controlled by a pedal placed under Taubman's right foot. The pad under his left foot is there only for balance so that one leg is not higher than the other.

According to the 1939 CYCLOPEDIA OF MUSIC AND MUSICIANS (which was edited by, among others, Nicolas Slonimsky, a personal friend of Lev Termen, the inventor of the theremin), the absence of "attack" on the "space control" instruments was considered a serious limitation by many musicians of the 1930's. While a fast "dipping" motion of the volume hand of a thereminist can create the impression of attack, it is not instantaneous and cannot produce the true staccato of Taubman's ELECTRONDE.

You will notice that Taubman has placed his Electronde on top of his speaker, and turned the speaker so that it points to Taubman's right. This way, when he plays, his audience sees him only in profile and his left hand (which controls his audio cutoff switch) is hidden on the upstage side.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• theremin
• electronde
• vintage
• electronic
• musical
• instrument
• space
• control
• martin
• taubman

[ThomasZunk]

Thanks for posting this.

This is very interesting, entertaining and inspiring.

He plays really well, doesn´t he?

Where was that broadcasted, Peter? A Thereminist in Nazi Germany and English text?

Very enjoyable!

[copperleaves]

@ThomasZunk

Yes, Taubman is very good at what he does. I do not believe the clip was filmed in Germany but rather in England. I have not been able to find many details about the life of Martin Taubman but he may have been Jewish and, if that is the case, by 1938 he may wisely have fled Germany.

[ccarebearstaree]

lol. without the hand gestures this would be boring to watch.

[thorwaldjorgensen]

Wonderful!!!! does anybody know what piece mr Taubman is playing here?

[TechnikAlsace]

Thank you for this interesting discovery!

[Tonefid115]

Interesting video ,sounds like a steel guitar!

[BJSTV]

Excellent piece of Historical knowledge!!!

[LordNapalm]

Very cool!

[tuddilu]

Beautiful. Thanks for sharing.