• 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

Theremin Videos

Theremin

Theremin (01:26)

Super Mario Bros. on the Theremin!

Super Mario Bros. on the Theremin! (01:55)

Gnarls Barkley Crazy Theremin Jam

Gnarls Barkley Crazy Theremin Jam (03:22)

Theremin Lydia Kavina plays "Claire de Lune"

Theremin Lydia Kavina plays "Claire de Lune" (04:50)

Theremin Killed the Radio Star (take 2)

Theremin Killed the Radio Star (take 2) (05:21)

Theremin - Clara Rockmore play "The Swan" (Saint-Saëns)

Theremin - Clara Rockmore play "The Swan" (Saint-Saëns) (02:53)

Theremin

Theremin (00:59)

Don't Worry, Be Happy on theremin

Don't Worry, Be Happy on theremin (05:39)

Theremin by Masami Takeuchi

Theremin by Masami Takeuchi (03:13)

Final Fantasy X - To Zanarkand - Randy George, theremin

Final Fantasy X - To Zanarkand - Randy George, theremin (03:53)

Vocalise - Randy George, theremin

Vocalise - Randy George, theremin (03:43)

The Simpsons vs Star Trek

The Simpsons vs Star Trek (01:54)

Lev and Thumpbot play Crazy

Lev and Thumpbot play Crazy (02:53)

Theremin bbc South

Theremin bbc South (03:22)

Theremin Lesson

Theremin Lesson (02:02)

Nintendo Wiimote Theremin with Moog Little Phatty

Nintendo Wiimote Theremin with Moog Little Phatty (01:32)

THEREMIN CONCERT ON BURNS B3 DELUXE

THEREMIN CONCERT ON BURNS B3 DELUXE (35:01)

Symphony No.9 in E minor,op.95 "From the New World"

Symphony No.9 in E minor,op.95 "From the New World" (01:56)

VOCALISE ENCORE ON BURNS B3 THEREMIN

VOCALISE ENCORE ON BURNS B3 THEREMIN (07:48)

Theremin MIDI

Theremin MIDI (05:07)

Yvonne Lambert of The Octopus Project plays theremin

Yvonne Lambert of The Octopus Project plays theremin (00:33)

Samuel Hoffman's RCA Theremin

Samuel Hoffman's RCA Theremin (03:28)

Pamelia Kurstin: Theremin, the untouchable music

Pamelia Kurstin: Theremin, the untouchable music (20:12)

Ed.Wood.documentary.The.Theremin.with.Howard.Shore.XviD.Boul

Ed.Wood.documentary.The.Theremin.with.Howard.Shore.XviD.Boul (07:24)

Close Encounters & Star Trek on theremin

Close Encounters & Star Trek on theremin (01:00)

Theremin- Clara Rockmore play "Song of Grusia" (Rachmaninov)

Theremin- Clara Rockmore play "Song of Grusia" (Rachmaninov) (04:18)

La Valse D'Amelie - Randy George, theremin

La Valse D'Amelie - Randy George, theremin (02:49)

Theremin Solo Performance

Theremin Solo Performance (07:57)

Ondes Martenot et Theremin music instrumentist

Ondes Martenot et Theremin music instrumentist (05:59)

Midsomer Murders theme tune on theremin

Midsomer Murders theme tune on theremin (00:48)

DISCLAIMER: The video content provided on this page is generated by YouTube and consequently features user-generated content. While we do our best to stop offensive material appearing, NME.COM cannot be held responsible for all of the material that may be displayed on this page. If you object to any video, please visit the YouTube Abuse and Policy Centre at: www.google.com/support/youtube/bin/topic.py?topic=13044

This Week's Issue
  • NME Magazine - The ultimate guide to the week in music
  • The ultimate guide to the week in music
  • NME Magazine - Subscribe now and save up to £45!
Please sign in

Forgot your password?

Register with MyNME

Every Tuesday and Friday

  • Up-to-the-minute news stories
  • The best new music and free downloads
  • Video interviews, photo galleries, competitions and more
  • Album and track reviews for the week ahead
  • Essential gigs in your area

Latest News

More News