Over the summer, I decided that I should explore composing for instruments that are not ‘classical’ and more obscure. Then, on 4th August, I went to see that day’s BBC Prom, which had a phenomenal piece of music being played – Eight Seasons (Concerto for Theremin and Chamber Orchestra) by Kalevi Aho, for whom Aho dedicated the piece to Carolina Eyck. To sum up the character of the piece, Aho says that the work has eight movements, played without break, and are just like a musical year. Since ancient times, the Sami people (the original inhabitants of Lapland) have divided the year into eight sections. Aho chose to use the theremin to reflect the shamanistic aspect of the instrument.

“The soloist is like a magician, a weaver of spells. Producing music just by moving his hands without touching the instrument at all.”

Upon hearing this piece of music, I was immediately mesmerised by the sound of the theremin. Since the theremin’s creation in 1928, it has often been used ironically or stereotypically in films and popular music. Examples of this can be heard in the Disney+ series, Loki, Good Vibrations by the Beach Boys, and in the kid’s film, Monster House. The theremin is notoriously difficult to play well due to its lack of frets or markers for pitch; essentially, like Avo says, the soloist is seemingly conjuring music out of thin air.

One of the modern-day advocates for the theremin is Carolina Eyck, and her YouTube channel is a very interesting explore for anyone who wishes to fall down the theremin rabbit hole. The theremin, as of late, has experienced a revival and achieved relevance in today’s world thanks to the likes of Carolina. Her very apparent passion and love for the instrument, and integration of various musical genres makes the theremin all the more appealing for modern day listeners. Hearing the theremin in the Royal Albert Hall illustrated a side to it that I had never heard before, and its slightly unearthly, yet human timbre, makes it an incredibly interesting and intriguing instrument for composers such as myself. Being powered by electricity also means there’s a world of fun pedal and midi effects that you can explore and pair with the instrument. In fact, very soon after hearing the prom in question, I composed a piece of music for cello and theremin. Here are a few contrasting videos from Carolina’s YouTube channel. These pieces of music superbly demonstrate the vast characters and ‘voices’ the theremin can adopt in various pieces, and Carolina’s brilliant playing (and singing) is so exciting to hear.

Carolina Eyck’s Website