Theremin

 

 

The theremin is an instrument that was invented fairly recently (1928). The controlling section usually consists of two metal antennas which sense the position of the player's hands and control oscillators for frequency with one hand, and amplitude (volume) with the other, so it can be played without being touched. The electric signals from the theremin are amplified and sent to a loudspeaker. Like its cousin the ondes martenot, it has been used far more frequently in soundtracks than in serious classical music. I do have a theremin concerto from 2011 by Kalevi Aho. It is played by Carolina Eyck with the Lapland Chamber Orchestra under John Storgards on BIS.