Léon Theremins Contributions to Music and Society Essay -- Biography

To start, Là ©on Theremin, originally known as, Lev Sergeyevich Termen, was a very influential Russian inventor throughout human history. He is most popular for his invention of the Theremin, one of the very first electronic musical instruments ever made. In addition, Là ©on Theremin is the inventor of a plethora of other inventions, some including the burglar alarm, the Great Seal bug, and the Terpsitone. There are innumerable interesting things that can be said about this innovative person. Without him, society wouldn’t experience, or enjoy the things we have, the same. This research will discuss Là ©on Theremin’s biography, his contributions to music, and his countless inventions that benefited, and improved society on a global scale. First, Là ©on Theremin, originally born with the name, Lev Sergeivitch Termen, was born on the year, 1896, in St. Petersburg, Russia. He was of German and French ancestry and had a sibling by the name of Helena. When he became seven years old, he took an interest in electricity. By the age of thirteen, Theremin began to observe and test high frequency circuits. Later on, within his years in high school, he was able to present to an audience optical effects using electricity, and by the age of seventeen, he had his own laboratory to continue his electrical experiments. It was very clear that the young, Là ©on Theremin, had a brilliant mind. As he grew older, he was â€Å"educated as a physicist and musician,† (Là ©on Theremin) and later began to develop what is known today as the theremin. After the creation of this notable instrument, the theremin, he â€Å"demonstrated his theremin to the Soviet revolutionary leader, Lenin,† in 1922. From there, he was sent on a to ur, which included â€Å"sell-out concerts,† (Là ©on... ...ame. Many of the things he created were considered unthinkable at his point of time in society and because of his ability to dramatically alter how we think of, or use the world, Là ©on Theremin, will be remembered in history, forever. Works Cited Wierzbicki, James. "Weird Vibrations: How The Theremin Gave Musical Voice To Hollywood’S Extraterrestrial â€Å"Others†." Journal Of Popular Film And Television 30.3 (2002): 125-135. OmniFile Full Text Select (H.W. Wilson). Web. 29 May 2012. WILLIAM, GRIMES. "Leon Theremin, Musical Inventor, Is Dead at 97." New York Times, The (NY) 09 Nov. 1993: 10. NewsBank - Archives. Web. 29 May 2012. "Leon Theremin." Hutchinson's Biography Database (2011): 1. MAS Ultra - School Edition. Web. 30 May 2012. "Clara Rockmore (1911-1998)." Computer Music Journal 22.4 (1998): 14. Academic Search Premier. Web. 30 May 2012.