Evening star., 1928-03-04
'1HEREM|N TO GIVE
CONCERT IN CAPITAL
Russian Inventor Will DEM
onStrate Remarkable Musi-
Cal instrument Here.


opportunity TO see and hear new and
remsrkabls musical instrument which
Is operated without touching. and which
has lust been patented in the United
States by young Russian electrical en-
gineer, Leo SSergc lcWitSch Theremin
The inventor has utilized the principle
OF the soueai that sometimes annoys
radio listeners. and has made music
out Of IT, Prof. Thcremin is scheduled
, 10 come To the Capital between MAY ;
aud 10 10 g;Ve demonstrations of his
''nseical invention. which, he. con-
tends, is capable of initiating the
human voice. snd can reproduce the
sounds OF practically all known musical
instruments.
In his Invention Pref Theremin en-
nloyS an electrical system III box about
the size of a radio cabinet ont OF the
left side extends a brass rod IN the
form of loop. and on the right side
through the top there extends vertical
brass rod. The electrical system within
the box comprises electrical circuits and
units. including audion tubes and oScil-
istors connected with a battery FOR
",uiciRg" and also with sound re-
prseucer
ficsS Na:cs Out Of Air.
When Prof Theyemin moves his right
vertical rod. musical notes are pro-
6uced which rise in scale as his hand
approaches tie rod, and vice versa. So
sensitive is the instrument. that even
SLIGHT movement of finger will alter
the note, and lie can virtually pick out
Of the air" any note desired. it is eX-
planned. His left hand is moved vertic-
ally in relation 10 the loop at the left
side of the box TO control the volume OF
the notes or sound.
The right-hand rod is described as
being somewhat of the nature of radio
entenna and being electrified is sur
rounded By an electro field of
force. which is Influenced by the hand
and that influence on the field of the
rod varies the frequency oscillations OF
an alternating current generated III the
SVEN. The oscillations in the system
ers magnificd and transmitted as SOUND
vibrations to the sound reproducer
which may be an ordinary loud speak
or. Prof. Theremin also employs cir
cult for controlling the ovcrtones by
which he ihanges or varies the timbre
or character of the sound to initiate
various musical instruments
Only one note at a time can be pro-
0uced If there is but one control rod,
but Prof. Therem!n contends he can
add any number of control rods and
produce any number of notes sinful
taneouSly. depending on the number OF
rods used, these rods being controlled
by the hands of one or more operators
without touching them. In this way. 1t
as explained. he can producel duets.
Qnartets and orchestral music through
. single sound reproducer.
The music produced by this instru-
naeRi is held TO be sweeter than can
ordinarily be produced from the instru-
Ment initiated, apart from technique.
Simple 10 Operate.
Any person who is musical and learns
the manipulation of the hands in reia-
tion to the control RODS can operate
the instrument. It is said. The inven-
tien Is declared not to be radio. but
Prof: Theremin has employed the
principle Of the effect of electricity
conducting bodies on an antenna
rsdiat4ng electromagnetic waves. The
hand moving in the field OF the an
tepna or conductor varies the conoi-
tinrf Of the field and consequently the
capacity or frequency of the system
90 thai graduation of notes is OBJ
tanned. Not only is the note range
controlled but also the volume OF the
tone production and the character or
tinbre of the notes.
Patent Once records show that his
invention vas patented February %,
through the Washington firm of patent
lawyers, Bowen e. Dowel, with Offices
ta iiae Washington Loan a. Trust Co.
RuildiRg at Ninth and r streets. The
patent is thus described by the in
sentsT
"A tone-generating system controlled
by the hand and comprising en- elec-
tsaEsI circuit embodying an oscillation
generator. means in said circuit tnclud-
ing a conductor having field which
1hen Influenced by hand moving
therein viii vary the resonant fire.
ouency of said circuit according 10 the
movement of said hand only. and a
sound reprooucer connected with said
circuit for emitting tones according 10
the electrical variations occurring In
the circuit
Prof. Tneren1in does not touch any
thing On the instrument 10 produce
his music, but simply moves his hands
In relation tG conductor parts OF
system In which the sound is generated
by resultant variations OF electrical fire.
c1ency, IL is explained. He Is 81 years
OF age and Is professor OF engineering
at the University OF Leningrad, but l.
a. present In New York giving q series
of eoncfrts He has appeared before
the Associated Press and given num-
Der Uf private demonstrations before
;nfVeRtial New Yorkers and has also
been heard IN the Metropolitan Opers
House.