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#1 Anoushik

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Posted 14 February 2007 - 02:37 AM

Jumping from article to article on Wikipedia I suddenly came across to Theremin. I'd completely forgotten about this amazing instrument. Theremin is an electronic musical instrument that one plays without ever touching it. I actually got to try it in my theory class last year! It's really hard to control it. It's not as easy as it looks.

Enjoy!
(There's a keyboard instrument in the background.)

... I've never heard of Armen Ra but he was mentioned in Wikipedia. He certainly is a curiosity, especially if you take a look at his photos in his MySpace profile.

#2 MosJan

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Posted 14 February 2007 - 05:50 AM

http://www.peterpringle.com/pg1.html

founded by Peter Pringle
the first time i have hurt of the instrument was frome Mr Peter Pringle hi self / we have spend over 30 minutes talking and he has had so much knowledge on Armenian music and Sharakans, when he gave me the link to listen to the music / sound - it was amazing / if i'm not wrong in one of teh sits i have found him playing a Armenian Sharakan.

well now his in to Armenian Duduk - and i will not be surprised to see him combining our duduk & Theremin in a recording




#3 nairi

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Posted 17 February 2007 - 04:36 AM

I'm truly frustrated at this point, because after listening to Armen Ra's execution of Massenet on the theremin I was convinced that he was the brain behind the "saw" in the soundtrack of "Delicatessen." But after checking the credits, I found Les Sipolos being the musical saw player. Anoushik, is it possible to play the saw?? It sounds (almost?) exactly like the theremin and in "Delicatessen" it IS in fact the same piece by Massenet that Ra is playing. Anyway, thanks for sharing.

#4 Yervant1

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Posted 17 February 2007 - 09:27 AM

QUOTE(nairi @ Feb 17 2007, 05:36 AM) View Post

I'm truly frustrated at this point, because after listening to Armen Ra's execution of Massenet on the theremin I was convinced that he was the brain behind the "saw" in the soundtrack of "Delicatessen." But after checking the credits, I found Les Sipolos being the musical saw player. Anoushik, is it possible to play the saw?? It sounds (almost?) exactly like the theremin and in "Delicatessen" it IS in fact the same piece by Massenet that Ra is playing. Anyway, thanks for sharing.

Nairi I felt the same way after I heard it. I have seen few times people play the saw, the vibration sound of the saw is almost like it. smile.gif


#5 nairi

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Posted 17 February 2007 - 09:42 AM

I found this person:

http://www.sawlady.com/

#6 nairi

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Posted 17 February 2007 - 09:44 AM

And, perhaps not so surprising, this page:

http://www.theremin-saw.com/

#7 Azat

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Posted 17 February 2007 - 11:00 AM

NPR had a pretty good story about it few years back
http://www.npr.org/t...storyId=1147257


#8 Anoushik

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Posted 19 February 2007 - 01:24 AM

QUOTE(nairi @ Feb 17 2007, 02:36 AM) View Post

I'm truly frustrated at this point, because after listening to Armen Ra's execution of Massenet on the theremin I was convinced that he was the brain behind the "saw" in the soundtrack of "Delicatessen." But after checking the credits, I found Les Sipolos being the musical saw player. Anoushik, is it possible to play the saw?? It sounds (almost?) exactly like the theremin and in "Delicatessen" it IS in fact the same piece by Massenet that Ra is playing. Anyway, thanks for sharing.

I've heard about the musical saw, but have never seen it performed live. The idea is really cool. Yes, theremin and the musical saw sound alike (kind of creepy to my ears).

Now, she is a really good theremin performer. She's a virtuoso theremin performer who studied with her uncle, Theremin, himself. Needless to say, there is a big difference between her performance and Armen Ra's (to be fair, Armen Ra's only been performing this difficult instrument for two years).

It's kind of hard to take this instrument seriously. I guess that's why Lydia's stage has science-fiction background smile.gif

There are a lot of videos on Youtube with musical saws as well. I guess I'm a traditionalist musician. Even though the idea of musical saw is kind of cool, it does seem ridiculous and unnecessary tongue.gif

#9 vava

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Posted 19 February 2007 - 07:42 AM

QUOTE(nairi @ Feb 17 2007, 05:36 AM) View Post

I'm truly frustrated at this point, because after listening to Armen Ra's execution of Massenet on the theremin I was convinced that he was the brain behind the "saw" in the soundtrack of "Delicatessen." But after checking the credits, I found Les Sipolos being the musical saw player. Anoushik, is it possible to play the saw?? It sounds (almost?) exactly like the theremin and in "Delicatessen" it IS in fact the same piece by Massenet that Ra is playing. Anyway, thanks for sharing.


So I wasn't the only one! smile.gif

Nice thread smile.gif For the record Here's the IMDB entry for Delicatessen

#10 nairi

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Posted 19 February 2007 - 11:53 AM

QUOTE(anoushik @ Feb 19 2007, 08:24 AM) View Post

It's kind of hard to take this instrument seriously. I guess that's why Lydia's stage has science-fiction background smile.gif


According to Wikipedia numerous bands have used the theremin, including Radiohead, Led Zeppelin, Portishead, and even System of a Down. Seems to be coming back into popularity...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theremin

See also:



#11 MosJan

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Posted 19 February 2007 - 12:01 PM

Theremin by Masami Takeuchi





nice !!

#12 vava

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Posted 19 February 2007 - 08:31 PM

I believe it was the Beach Boys, and Brian Wilson, who paved the way for the Theramin in "pop" music - and this would have been in the late 50's! smile.gif I think the guy who played/made it for them was named Paul Tonner, or something like that.

#13 vava

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Posted 19 February 2007 - 08:34 PM

Whoops! In the article that sweet Nairi posted, they address the Beach Boys use of the Theramin - and it wasn't a real theramin, but an "Electro Theramin"! And it's Paul Tanner, not Tonner. Mon dieu. sad.gif



#14 Anoushik

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Posted 20 February 2007 - 12:14 PM

QUOTE(nairi @ Feb 19 2007, 09:53 AM) View Post



Thanks for this! smile.gif

#15 Zartonk

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Posted 20 February 2007 - 08:17 PM

QUOTE
I believe it was the Beach Boys, and Brian Wilson, who paved the way for the Theramin in "pop" music - and this would have been in the late 50's!


Yes yes, Good "Vibrations", (and what a song) and yes it wasn't genuine.

#16 arax

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Posted 22 February 2007 - 06:33 AM

I had the pleasure of seeing Armen Ra in concert at the United Nations last year, and after waiting in reception line for 45 minutes, I met him. He was elegant and gracious, with the mannerism of a prince. Fluent in Armenian and from a prominent aristocratic family in Iran.

I have also seen Lydia Kavina 3 times, and there is no comparison. Ms Kavina having studied with her uncle since the age of 9,( she is in her 40's) and Armen only playing for 5 years. I actually fell asleep the last time I saw Lydia.
However Armens intensity and emotional playing had me in tears. Considering the short time he has played he is excelling rapidly.

This "curiosity" has performed at many high end venues, he is an excellent musician and very well know in US and Europe, having just played in Vienna for the anniversary of Mozart. Perhaps before your smug comment you should read the list of places he has performed, and how much awareness he has brought to the cause of the Genocide.

By curiosity you must mean stunning, beautiful and other worldly. At least he has the power to be himself, and show his face to the world. His beautiful Armenian face!

I wonder what you look like? hiding behind your anonymous computer screen, being judgmental?

Shouldn't we support young Armenian artists, rather than calling them "curiosities" and unnecessarily criticizing them?

AMOT KEZ

A. Makarian
Connecticut U.S.

for those of you with education and open minds here is his myspace pages.

http://www.myspace.com/armenra
http://www.myspace.com/armenramusic

Edited by arax, 22 February 2007 - 06:37 AM.


#17 Anoushik

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Posted 22 February 2007 - 02:42 PM

Arax, is your comment directed at me? huh.gif

Reading over this thread I can only conclude that your comment is directed at me since no one else has written about Armen Ra in here. Why jump to quick conclusions? If I hadn't thought positively about Armen Ra I never would have mentioned him in here.

QUOTE
By curiosity you must mean stunning, beautiful and other worldly. At least he has the power to be himself, and show his face to the world. His beautiful Armenian face!

Yes, that's exacly what I thought! Why jump to wrong conclusions? What I meant by "curiosity" is his choice of make-up and dress when he performs. But I never criticized him. If you decide to stick around in Hyeforum (or maybe join other forums) you'll learn quickly to not jump to conclusions and put your own thoughts into what others are thinking. It's ok though, I remember I was liked that too when I first joined Hyeforum smile.gif

And regarding Lydia Kavina, yes, she is a virtuoso. I also mentioned that. Let's not get emotional about Armen being better just because he's Armenian. If you listen to Lydia's performance and compare it to Armen's it's like comparing night and day. Lydia plays in tune. Armen is playing close to tune. Again, it's because of Lydia's experience and background. But as a musician I can also hear that Armen is a musician at heart. Even if he's still working on his technique of playing the theremin, I can hear that whatever amount he's playing he's doing a good job. I'd choose his performance any moment over the robotic performance of Masami Takeuchi that MosJan has posted above.

#18 Armenak

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Posted 19 November 2007 - 04:16 AM

Enter the world of Armen Ra

* Thereminist's repertoire includes Sayat Nova and Ganatchian


by Adrineh Gregorian

Melodies created by the theremin are ominous and eerie, more suited
for the mysterious world of the Addams Family and less like macabre
sounds of Diamanda Galas.

Such is the musical forte of the most exceptional artist I've ever
met, thereminist Armen Ra. In fact, his talent is extraordinarily rare
among musicians, as the theremin has been mastered by only a few.

I first heard of Armen Ra in 2005, when I was at a Voluptuous Horror
of Karen Black concert and heard lead singer Kembra announce Armen. I
couldn't believe that the costume-immersed svelte playing spooky
sounds was an Armenian.

Come to think of it, why not? The sound of the theremin is not much
different than that of the duduk. Both are richly soulful, soft, and
have a slightly nasal timbre.

After the show I ran backstage yelling "Armen!" figuring the chances
of another Armen being at this cult favorite concert were nil. Upon
meeting me, Armen was equally excited to meet another Armenian and
gave me his CD of Sayat Nova's traditional hymns played on the
theremin.

Since our meeting, I learned how Armen Ra performs in prestigious
venues across the globe, bringing his eclectic music to untapped ears.

Born Armen Hovanesian, Armen grew up in Tehran, then Massachusetts,
and moved to New York City when he was 16.

Growing up he always had a strong musical instinct. Having been
raised in a musical and artistic family "my instincts were cultivated
and reinforced," said Armen. His aunt, Shake Makarian, is a well-known
opera singer and ikebana master, while his pianist mother Ruizanna
Hovanesian attended Santa Cecillia conservatory in Rome.

Armen first learned about the theremin at 17 when he saw it featured
in a PBS documentary. "I was mesmerized by the fact that it is played
without touching, and that it can sound so similar to an operatic
voice," said Armen.

Somehow Armen was able to play it right away, even though he was
told it is the hardest instrument to learn -- it takes perfect pitch
and dexterity. "By practicing constantly and devoting myself to it, I
refined the technique, and am always attempting new and more
challenging material," Armen said.

Though Armen fiddled with other instruments, including the piano and
violin at a young age, he wasn't interested in either. Armen said,
"the theremin being so strange and otherworldly was a perfect match!"

Performing Armenian songs with the theremin was a natural desire for
Armen since he's always been moved by traditional and classical
Armenian melodies. "It was the first kind of music that I was exposed
to," said Armen. "I have always been very emotionally affected by
them. Especially Gomidas and Sayat Nova, as well as Ganatchian and
Avedissian."

The theremin has no strings, buttons, or surface to beat against.
Musicians use their hands as they glide across an energy filed to
produce sounds. "There is no physical sensation," said Armen, "because
of the intense concentration, I go into a trance-like state."

His debut theremin performance came a few years later with his
friend and inspiration Antony, of Antony and the Johnson's at the
famed Knitting Factory in New York City. He has performed at the
United Nations in New York, Wiener Konzerthaus Mozartsaal in Vienna,
the Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, WIGSTOCK!, the MTV Video Music
Awards with Madonna, the legendary CBGB's, Knitting Factory, Museum of
Modern Art, Lincoln Center, and the Gershwin Hotel in Manhattan, to
name a few.

Armen has also been featured on television and appeared in Vogue,
New York Times, New York Post, Village Voice, Rolling Stone, Amica,
Glamour, Paper, Mademoiselle, Elle, Visonaire, Time Out NY, and too
many more to mention.

Armen flourished, not only as a self-taught master of the theremin,
but also as one of New York's leading aesthetes. By combining both the
visual and aural aspects of his craft, Armen has developed an art form
that is truly his own and is something quite amazing to behold.

* A strong visual

Preparing costume ensembles for his performances is an organic process
for Armen. It is yet another form of artistic expression that add
layers to the listening experience. "I don't think of it as dressing
up," said Armen. "I feel that the instrument and music demand a strong
visual." Friend and renowned clothing designer Thierry Mugler has also
designed attire for Armen.

Armen definitely gives the audience an aesthetically alluring
visual. "Much like the films of Parajanov, especially Color of
Pomegranate," said Armen. "I wouldn't say the actors were dressed up.
However, the visual intensity and androgyny of the characters was an
artistic expression and made the film a work of art."

With his theremin, Armen performs his fusion of Armenian folk music
with modern instrumentation, along with melodic lounge standards and
classical arias. His unique and elegant recitals transport the
listener to a time and place of beauty, emotional healing, and, of
course, sacred glamor.

In 2007 the curators at the Disney Concert Hall presented a theremin
orchestra as part of Pravda, a showcase of music born in the Soviet
era. They wanted to recreate the ten-theremin orchestra that performed
in 1922 under the direction of inventor Lev Theremin himself at
Carnegie Hall. This time around, the ten thereminists were from all
over the United States and Europe. Each was sent their musical parts
to their disparate locales and they only had three rehearsals as a
group once everyone arrived in Los Angeles.

"It was an extraordinary and glorious experience," said Armen. "The
facilities of Disney Hall are state of the art, and it was a pleasure
to perform at such an exquisite venue."

There is talk of re-staging the theremin orchestra but nothing has
been confirmed yet.

* Armenian party monster

Known for his outrageous costumes, Armen was also an eminent figure of
the bustling arts scene happening in Manhattan in the 80s and 90s --
part muse, part "it" boy, part underground star.

When Armen first moved to New York City at the age of 16, it was a
much different place, especially the downtown club scene. "It was easy
to get into clubs if you looked interesting," said Armen, "and no one
bothered checking IDs."

The first time Armen went to a big club, he was discovered and
photographed by the iconic Andy Warhol. This recognition led the club
owner to ask him to come back three nights a week and put him on the
payroll. "So essentially I was paid just to attend," said Armen. Soon
after that he was introduced to all of the happening club promoters
and became a regular on the scene. Armen recounted, "I had various
jobs, mostly showing up and looking fabulous."

"The scene was very creative," said Armen. "We all made our own
costumes, and were very much a community." In addition to the
glamorous life, Armen modeled for photographer Roxanne Lowit (Conde
Nast) and she put him in Italian Vogue the first time when he was 20.

Fashion, clubbing, and fame; this extravagant lifestyle soon
revealed a shadier side. In the mid 90s the scene started to become
very dark, with the introduction of heavy drugs, as depicted in the
film Party Monster (2003), which features Armen. This led Armen to
distance himself, and he started working as a make-up artist at
Patricia Field's trendy store in Manhattan, and he began designing
handmade jewelry. (The Emmy-award-winning Field was fashion designer
for Sex and the City and Devil Wears Prada.)

Since his clubbing days, Armen has been featured in films and
television. He designed jewelry for Todd Oldham and was photographed
by him extensively. Armen recorded with Debbie Harry, and through the
years has schmoozed with Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, shared a stage
with Patti Labelle, modeled for renowned photographer David
Lachapelle, and appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone in 2000.

His pictures were sent to painter Salvador Dali just before he died.
Armen said, "he wanted to paint me but then he died.... Damn it!"

His friendship with singer-avant garde performance artist Diamanda
Galas has blossomed into more than just a personal bond. In 2003,
Galas released the album Defixiones, Will and Testament: Orders from
the Dead, an 80-minute memorial tribute to the Armenian, Greek,
Assyrian, and Hellenic victims of genocide. Galas is a staunch
supporter of Armenian causes and had Armen and his family translate
Armenian text for her genocide piece.

Armen's latest film appearance was in the movie Fur (2006) with
Nicole Kidman and Robert Downey, Jr. He recently filmed a piece for
the Independent Film Channel, which is airing this week. Future plans
include participating in the film adaptation of the Dorian Gray story
shooting in New York City through 2008. And, of course, theremin
performances throughout the United States and Europe in 2008.

Earlier this month, on November 7, Armen brought his musical genius
to the legendary Magic Castle in Hollywood, California. He played to
two sold-out crowds. The famously exclusive magic club allowed Armen
fans to enter without membership -- a feat in itself.

* Love is the most important ingredient

"I am compelled to mention that my family has been completely
supportive of all of my endeavors through the years," Armen said
proudly. "Thankfully they are all very educated, artistic, worldly,
and loving, and without their support, dedication and love this life
would have been much more difficult.

"My grandmother Arax Makarian is 100, and has been an important
figure in Armenian culture," added Armen. "She along with the rest of
the family is very proud of my accomplishments."

Armen feels privileged to have arrived in such an openminded and
supportive family. "I adore them!" he said.

The arts community adores Armen, too. Being an integral part of a
creative revolution in New York, his contribution to our present
artistic landscape continues to unfold.

connect:
www.myspace.com/armenra

***

The theremin

The entry for theremin in wikipedia.com offers the following
description of the instrument:

The theremin or thereminvox, is one of the earliest fully electronic
musical instruments. It was invented by Russian inventor Léon Theremin
in 1919, and it is unique in that it was the first musical instrument
designed to be played without being touched. It generally consists of
two pitch and one volume radio frequency oscillators and two metal
antennas. The electric signals from the theremin are amplified and
sent to a loudspeaker. To play the theremin, the player moves his
hands around the two metal antennas, which control the instrument's
frequency (pitch) and amplitude (volume).

http://www.reporter.am/

#19 Anoushik

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Posted 19 November 2007 - 02:45 PM

That's really cool smile.gif

QUOTE
Known for his outrageous costumes, Armen was also an eminent figure of
the bustling arts scene happening in Manhattan in the 80s and 90s --
part muse, part "it" boy, part underground star.

How old is he? I thought he was younger.

#20 Armenak

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Posted 19 November 2007 - 04:03 PM

I don't know his age anoushik, but it seems you were scolded by his 100-year-old grandmother earlier this year. ohmy.gif




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