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"The Swan" from Carnival of the Animals by Charles Camille Saint-Saëns Well, for better worse, here's my first YouTube video. "The Swan" is the unofficial "Theremin Anthem." Probably every thereminist has played it at one time or another. This video was shot in the evening, in my living room, with a single and unmoving digital video camera: It's your typical YouTube Amateur Hour fare, meant only for fun and not to be taken too seriously! I played it on my Etherwave Pro theremin (left-handed). I have four other theremins, so if I don't get too many rotten tomatoes from this effort I'll do some more on my other instruments. (btw, no I was not chewing gum at the beginning! That's a trick of the subdued lighting and the low video resolution. Sorry, but YouTube isn't High Definition - yet...!) Anyway, bla bla bla, enough disclaimers...
Selections from the German compact disk
This CD is available at Amazon.de. Here are links to two Phono Royal sites, with all sorts of fun stuff - photos, tour info, guest book, and more audio links: www.phono-royal.de and www.hazelwood.de/phonoroyal/index.php There's an interview with Thomas Waschat, the lead singer, at inmusic2000.de. I have put up a paraphrased translastion of that interview -- of just the portion relating to the theremin, vacuum cleaners, and me -- at 137.com/audio. (Yes, it's very flattering, or I wouldn't have bothered!) For more info about Hazelwood, the production company who produces and releases Phono Royal's records, visit their web site at hazelwood.de. And, finally, you can read an English-language article from a German "new music" web site about Phono Royal at efa-medien.de.
THE MYSTERY OF TIGER MANOR In the fall of 2001, I recorded some "schpooky muzeek" on the theremin for a re-discovered turn-of-the-century mystery thriller entitled The Mystery of Tiger Manor. The play, which ran for about two months at the Sierra Madre Playhouse, was lots of fun. The somewhat-corny plot -- featuring a creepy old haunted house, ghosts, paintings with moving eyes, mysterious foreigners, etc., and, of course, stolen jewels and a band of crooks -- kinda reminded me of a "Scooby-Doo" cartoon. Definitely children's fare, but fun for us grown-ups as well! The theremin instilled just the right "vintage mystery" ambience, sounding very much like a sad woman sighing and moaning off in the distance somewhere. When it first made its disembodied sonic entrance, the audience reacted with great enthusiasm. The eerie moans sent a ripple of animated murmuring through the packed theatre. I did hear the word "theremin" whispered by a couple of people, so at least some of the audience members recognized the sound. After the show, as we were heading out into the lobby, I heard a lady ask her little boy, "What was your favorite part of the show?" He said, with great gusto, "The Scary Singing Lady!!" And, thus, here are three snippets of the "The Scary Singing Lady."
The CONTINENTAL CONSORT Here are a couple of goodies from my ill-fated* concert with the Continental Consort. (* "Ill-fated" due to a nasty ear infection. Note: never try to play the theremin with stopped-up ears and earache.)
All "Phono Royal" audio files are the property of, and © 2002 by, Hazelwood Music. All rights reserved. Special, exclusive use has been granted for this web site only. Use, distribution, copying, or re-broadcasting this audio file is expressly forbidden without prior written consent. "Phono Royal" illustration, graphics, and logo © 2002 by Hazelwood Music. All rights reserved.
Audio files of "Monster Mash," "Goldfinch," and excerpts from the "Ghost of Tiger Manor" score are the property of, and © 2002 by, Barry Schwam. All rights reserved. Special, exclusive use has been granted for this web site only. Use, distribution, copying, or re-broadcasting this audio file is expressly forbidden without prior written consent.
Except as otherwise noted, this entire Website (137.com), and all text and
some* images therein, © 1995-2003 by Charles Richard Lester. You are welcome
to disseminate graphic materials or text (but not the audio files) for non-commercial use only but only after requesting — and receiving — permission by its author (me). Please apply to Charles Richard Lester: one_three_sevenat137.com (change "at" to the "@" symbol). Thank you for appreciating the value of creativity. (*If you’re not sure whether or not a given image is in public domain
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(The theremin plays the "goldfinch" part)