Added: Jul 15, 2007
From: copperleaves
Duration: 3:28
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.
Channel: Music
Tags: bernard day earth edith en herrmann hoffman la peter piaf pringle rca rose samuel spellbound still stood theremin vie
Rating: 4.83 (58 ratings) Views: 11970' favoriteCount='87 Comments: 23
MightyTiny Says:
Jul 15, 2007 - Very beautiful indeed!
ThomasGrillo Says:
Jul 15, 2007 - Nicely done. Thanks.
tipsytamere Says:
Jul 17, 2007 - thanks peter!
gielareck Says:
Jul 18, 2007 - Great sound!!! Thanx you Peter.
ganque Says:
Aug 13, 2007 - AMAZING!! Ive just got in love with that instrument! I want one! Cant find it here in Mexico =(
HumanisticRationale Says:
Aug 13, 2007 - You are so fortunate to be the owner of Dr. Samuel Hoffman's Theremin! That Theremin has such a rich sound to it. But just out of curiosity, why did the Hoffman family give it to you? You are an amazing Thereminist by the way!
MisterPSA Says:
Sep 19, 2007 - You have great musical talent.
Pekkanini55 Says:
Oct 25, 2007 - That is good thereminplaying!
matrix12x Says:
Nov 15, 2007 - great intonation and playing!!
glennthepriusdriver Says:
Dec 12, 2007 - This has got to be one of the most beautiful pieces of music I have ever heard. You are a very accomplished and talented individual, Peter.
Teslamaniac Says:
Dec 20, 2007 - this bloke is brilliant !
MaskguyEvan Says:
Feb 23, 2008 - THE Samuel Hoffman's RCA Theremin!
naguma Says:
Mar 1, 2008 - Peter Pringle is the Master Thereminist!
KarenMx17 Says:
Apr 15, 2008 - The sound of Theremin always reminds me of a woman humming... just fantastic
RowsbydotCom Says:
Apr 17, 2008 - After watching your excellent Theremin videos here, and later discovering you actually sell a tutorial DVD on your website-- I ordered it right away! Looking forward to applying your insights on the new Wavefront Classic that should arrive in a couple weeks... Thanks for sharing your knowledge, advice & techniques. Please keep the videos coming.
jolive91 Says:
May 13, 2008 - I can only imagine how much it's worth...
stroppytube Says:
Jun 18, 2008 - Wow! What technique...what a sound! Please, if you would, play and upload the opening theme to "The Day the Earth Stood Still."
rabbithowlowlowl Says:
Aug 13, 2008 - Your a brilliant player of the theremin...you create such soothing sounds to the ears.
freeculture Says:
Aug 28, 2008 - Vacuum tube is a must for this. Brilliant!
Elementodi Says:
Sep 12, 2008 - The best interpretation of La Vie en Rose, really like this song. Thanks for sharing this !!!
bumpysfriend Says:
Oct 15, 2008 - AWESOMELY BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!
famulous Says:
Nov 8, 2008 - Fantastic. Thank you.
neptune9 Says:
Jul 15, 2007 - Absolutely beautiful! Thanks so much Peter.