￥The theremin was the first electronic instrument in music history and the first to be played without physical contact. Invented in 1919 by Leon Theremin and championed by violin virtuoso Clara Rockmore, the theremin was controversial for redefining the nature of an instrument, musicianship, and music itself. Over a hundred years later, the theremin still evokes futuristic visions and myriad sonic possibilities related to the unique, spatial human gestures involved in its performance.

Playing a theremin can be likened to playing a fretless instrument in space, and is therefore notoriously difficult. While the instrument, for this reason, has often been relegated to an eerie sound effects device, talented thereminists continue to emerge, embracing the challenge of learning one of the most difficult instruments ever invented. French musician hYrtis has contributed her virtuosity to document the myriad tones produced by this mesmerizing instrument.

This sample collection demonstrates a range of lyrical melodies, layered arrangements, and effected atmospheres. The gentle sine waves and natural vibrato of the theremin can be heard evoking birdsongs, while the swooping glissando and soft attack offer another dimension in which the theremin excels. Spanning simplicity and complexity in different shades, hYrtis’ Theremin Explorations serve to document a piece of music history while propelling multi-genre productions into the future.

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