• NME.COM
  • Saturday, 22 November 2008

Samuel Hoffman's RCA Theremin video

Dr. Samuel Hoffman took his 1929 RCA theremin with him when he moved from New York City to Los Angeles, California, in 1941. He eventually became world famous as "The Hollywood Thereminist" and the distinctive sound of his instrument can be heard on the soundtracks of over 40 major motion pictures of the 1940's and 50's. Alfred Hitchcock's SPELLBOUND (music by Miklos Rosza), the SciFi classic THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL (music by Bernard Herrmann) and Cecile B. deMille's perennial THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, are just a few of the movies in which this theremin can be heard. I acquired this unique vintage instrument from the Hoffman family in 1998 and have carefully maintained it and enjoyed playing it ever since. It sounds today just the way it sounded when the late Dr. Hoffman played it at the "Casino In The Air" on top of mid-town Manhattan's Hotel Montclair in the 1930's. In order to give the camera a better view of the inside, for the purpose of this video, I removed the two cabinet doors (which normally remain closed). I am playing French chanteuse Edith Piaf's hit from the 1940's, LA VIE EN ROSE.

Running time: 03:28

Samuel Videos

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Sir Samuel - Frérot

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Cristina Donà & Samuel - Triathlon (Casasonica remix) (03:10)

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Samuel Torres performs on 7 congas tuned to E minor (05:42)

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William Orbit - Samuel Barber-Adagio for strings

William Orbit - Samuel Barber-Adagio for strings (03:36)

Samuel Barber - Adagio for Strings

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Samuel Torres performs on cajon and Colombian maracas (09:22)

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The impossible dream - Samuel Ramey (04:02)

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Social Change Through The Power of Peace Adagio for Strings (09:01)

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Samuel Hui: 天才白痴夢

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Samuel Ramey - Son lo spirito - Mefistofele

Samuel Ramey - Son lo spirito - Mefistofele (04:18)

Samuel Hoffman's RCA Theremin

Samuel Hoffman's RCA Theremin (03:28)

Samuel Moysés, um verdadeiro adorador!

Samuel Moysés, um verdadeiro adorador! (05:48)

Samuel Hernandez - Cuando Llega La Uncion

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Ride by Samuel Hazo - Moanalua High Symponic Wind Ensemble

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DUPLA ABENÇOADA / DANIEL E SAMUEL

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