Two years ago, Dan Bass was at a small country auction in Swannanoa NC when he saw an old electronic instrument up for auction. He bid on it, won and magically became the owner of one of four known surviving Lev-Built Theremins from the early days of Lev Termen’s work in America.
Realizing it’s historic potential Dan brought the instrument to Moog where it was immediately recognized as the hand-made work of the inventor himself! Over the last year, Dan partnered with Theremin experts Mike Buffington and Andrew Baron of
rcatheremin.com and Moog Music’s Chief Engineer Cyril Lance to restore this unique instrument to its exact historical condition.
World renowned Thereminst Pamelia Stickley will join this panel to play this rare 87 year old example of the instrument that has inspired her remarkable musical career.
As a teenager, Bob Moog was so captivated by the theremin that he launched his career as a theremin builder. To Bob, Lev Termen was his “virtual mentor”.
The panelists will explore the history and significance of Lev Termen’s work, the restoration project and then listen as Pamelia debuts the theremin for its public performance, quite possibly for the first time since the 1930s.
