Keresés

Travelogue

thetrademark
2014. júl. 28.
5 perc olvasás

V. Theremin Summer Academy – Colmar/France

It isn’t easy to write down all of the experiences that we had in Colmar, but all together, the past few days were much more exciting than we’ve ever imagined it will be. This was our first visit, and we’ve enjoyed every minute of it!

It is like you have arrived into another world. Not only the city, - that is hard to describe until you don’t see it for yourself - but each and every person is very special.

The same passion brought us together, the passion for this very mysterious instrument. We connected instantly, because we share the same subject, which is the love for the Theremin, and of which we aren’t able to talk about in other peoples company.

It was very interesting to find out that there are different motivations among the people who come here, why they are attracted to the instrument. Some are interested in the instrument as musicians and would like to develop their knowledge, some are interested in its sound effects and some would like to find out more about the Theremins electrical engineering, would like to learn the mechanical side. Therefore, people of all ages and interests got together, and we all felt that we belong together because of our passion.

Everyone who plays the Theremin knows everything about one another. They know exactly which level the other person is on learning the instrument and know where they are from and what they do for a living.

The day before the summer classes started – but next day the latest - everyone had arrived to Colmar. By the end of the evening, more than twenty of us were sitting on the terrace of Jupiler Café, located next to the old cathedral. During the academy this is where we got together to chat about what we have learned and experienced at class. It became our hang out. By the end of the day, we needed six tables to sit together.

Students came from Germany, England, Denmark, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands and we represented Hungary. Those who play the Theremin, are like a big family. When someone arrives to join this family, he or she goes around introduces him or herself to each and everyone and says a few word about his or her life.

Weeks before the 5th Theremin Academy, we were briefly informed about the lessons, programs and the participants.

The age of the “Theremin fans” vary. The youngest was 13, and the oldest is about 70 years old.

The individual music lessons and the chamber music lessons were given at the huge medieval home of the host of the Academy, Thierry Frenkel. In addition to the teachers, some of the students were also accommodated here. In Colmar, which is established mainly for tourism, they have very high room rates, so the classrooms, turned into bedrooms for the night. This made it even more family like.

The participants bring their own instrument with them. Different colored, shaped Theremins. And of course there are creators, who make their instrument themselves. We all look at each others instruments, examine them closely which makes the creators very proud of their work.

Our host who organized the theremin academy Thierry Frenkel is a genius. He can play on almost all instruments, he even studied for conductor, and he is an electronic talent. He is the „Theremin doctor” who tunes, upgrades and fixes, all of our Theremins, which makes their sound fantastic. His face lights up when he takes a Theremin apart. He starts the “surgery” with so much excitement, I had to take pictures of it.

He has his own invention called "Etherwave Standard Pitch Extension" module which he builds into the instrument, this way its sound scale is able to expand two octaves up and down. After the “surgery” the

difference between before and after is like if we changed our car from a Suzuki to a Porsche. I hardly believed my eyes and ears. With the built in module, my instrument is all new!

Theremin artists who teach at the academy, the German Carolina Eyck and the Dutch Thorwald Jorgensen are also very special people. Both of them are successful artists, who not only teach, play concerts, but their mission is to disseminate this rare musical instrument, and they are constantly working on to expand the repertoire for the world’s Theremin players.

Each day, I had classes with Carolina Eyck and Thorwald Jorgensen. You wouldn’t believe how much you can learn in five days. It opened up new dimensions for me. It was enthusiastic; it gave me strength, made me sure that the work is worth it because this instrument is adorable.

And all of this takes place in this magnificent surrounding and finest summer weather in Colmar. You have to see it yourself, because it is impossible to show it in a picture. It is like walking in a fairytale. All of the houses look so special, that you would have to take a picture in 20 different angles to show what it really looks like.

At the end of the first day, we thought that it was so great because we have four more days here. The second day we were happy that we have three more, the third day we enjoyed that we know everyone, we were familiar with the location and we have learned quite a lot. On the fourth day, we started planning the future and on the fifth day we decided to meet at the same place next year.

But the best experience during these few days were the people we met and who have become our friends, and whom we call the “Theremin Family”.

Each person is a sweet fool. Those who play the Theremin are somewhat like children, we all have a childlike enthusiasm in our hearts towards the instrument. This is so rare!

One day, we organized a musical afternoon, where we were able to admire Wilco Botermans’ – who is also a teacher at the academy – glass sphere shaped Theremin. It’s decoration is a man sized cross and a star on the top, and the Theremins’ antenna is located in the middle. We saw Theremins build into plastic dogs and all sorts of fun things.

We are all a little bit crazy and that is how it should be.

We thank our host Thierry Frenkel that he brings the Theremin lovers together in Colmar each and every year. We must mention his wife Masha Frenkel who - next to four children - tolerated that there was not one minute of peace or quiet in their home during the five days.

If I were a film director, I would love to make a documentary about these people, I am absolutely sure that everyone would love it.