Musical Space 8/9: The Theremin

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KMUW / Mark Foley

This week on musical space Mark Foley discusses an instrument at the heart of nearly every B-movie soundtrack, the theremin.

Let’s talk about an early electronic instrument, the theremin, and its use in the 1951 Cold War classic The Day the Earth Stood Still. The score was composed by Bernard Herrmann, and its particular genius is its unusual orchestration; the theremin lies at heart of the soundtrack.

You’ve heard the theremin before, it’s a B-movie staple. Invented in 1919 by Russian physicist Leon Theremin, the instrument has two antennas: one controls volume, the other controls pitch and the player merely waves their hands near the instrument, never actually touching it. It produces eerie, high pitched sounds that immediately call to mind images of specters and space men.

Still image from The Day the Earth Stood Still

For The Day the Earth Stood Still Herrmann omits strings and woodwinds; instead, he features two opposing groups: one is a section of brassy, weighty low sounds, including four tubas, and three organs. The other is a group of high, tinkly sounds: three vibraphones, two glockenspiels, two pianos, and two harps. Soaring above this is the most distinctive solo voice, the theremin.

It’s the score and perhaps the theremin in particular that has allowed the film to endure and induce many nightmares. Try watching The Day the Earth Stood Still with the sound turned down and you’ll see what I mean.