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Sam And Johnny Carson

Samuel HoffmanSam And Johnny Carson

I believe this is the only recorded voice of Samuel Hoffman. He is trying to teach Carson to play the theremin. It’s quite funny. Uncle Howie

Howie Does Sam

Howard MossmanHowie Does Sam

I love to imitate the late lamented Sam Hoffman and I offer this poor little snippet in tribute to one of my heroes.

Waveform control

Giorgio NecordiWaveform control

A sample to demonstrate the action of the waveform control on the sound of my transistor theremin.

Transistor theremin sample

Giorgio NecordiTransistor theremin sample

A sample of my new transistor theremin prototype, it contains a small melodic progression and the refrain of an italian traditional song.

Rotors of Raga

BrotherSyncRotors of Raga

This piece features Theremin by David Miller, Korg synths by Bryan Helm, Huey Helicopters and Moog synths by me. I have long loved the variety of sounds that Hueys make. This piece is centered around a field recording of several Hueys flying, sometimes passing within 30 feet of my binaural microphones (on my head). This is not exactly a song, consider it a ‘sonic adventure’. Thanks to David Miller for collaborating with us on this with the haunting melody line he composed and played. (Bret Moreland)

Cricket Fight

Samuel HoffmanCricket Fight

From the liner notes: Two cricket owners call the farmers to attend the fight. There is laughter and banter as bets are made. Tension mounts until the fight begins and the loud hum of the crickets is heard. The owners tease the crickets with bristles, and they become furious. The crickets begin to fight madly, fending with their legs. The noise become louder until one cricket is killed, his body slowly turning over. Losers and winners begin to chatter again, tom toms break out in honor of the winner. But he, too, has been wounded, and slowly dies. The crowd leaves the arena and only the two dead crickets remain.

Ghosts of the Chinese Wall

Samuel HoffmanGhosts of the Chinese Wall

From the liner notes: Dark clouds cover the sky, the wind whines across the plains around the Great Wall, constructed by the cruel emperor of China, Chin. It is told that Chin and his retinue reside here, his ghostly voice calling orders to the unhappy men who were forced to build the wall. Mingled in the wailing winds are his commands and the bitter replies of the men. Two thousands years ago, these men were buried alive in the wall so that their spirits might hold back the enemy. But their spirits are imprisoned and in pain. The wind still blows, moaning across the plains, carrying the lost voices and ghostly secrets of the Great Wall.

Jade Lady

Samuel HoffmanJade Lady

From the liner notes: Very long ago, the emperor Chan-Tsung visited Tai-Shan, a great mountain of China. There among its temples, in a pool of crystal water, he saw the image of a lovely woman, whom he called The Daughter of the Spirit of Tai-Shan. In her honor, he built a temple containing the Jade Lady, and chinese women believe that this goddess has a power to bestow children upon barren women. At the foot of the mountain, hopeful women wait to make the pilgrimage. The coolies carry them up slowly, chanting. At the temple, a prayer-song echoes through the arches, across the sounds of a phoenix-flute, a Yang-Ching or Chinese harpsichord, Pi Pa or guitar, a Ku drum, and shudderings gongs. Other women take up the song, but at sunset, the coolie leader calls impatiently. The descent is made quickly, and the coolies are happy at the close of the day. But the women are questioning and hopeful, wondering if the powers of the Jade Lady will be of help to them.

Lantern Street

Samuel HoffmanLantern Street

From the liner notes: In Peking, the pad, pad of coolie steps sound up Lantern Street, a street of wondrous rhythm. Along the street, a color-symphony of lanterns glows in blue, lilac, carmin and jade. Tinkling glasses attached to the lanterns whisper, deep gongs, fairy-like flutes and small chine-bells fill the air. The coolie moves past two merchants, a newsboy, a pair of lovers, an impetuous soldier, a boy and his father, and an angry policeman. In even tempo his steps pad on through the color and gaiety and brilliance of this romantic street.

On a Flower Boat

Samuel HoffmanOn a Flower Boat

From the liner notes: Amid the flutes, the tinkling bells and the soft lutes, voices are heard behind discreetly drawn curtains. A whispering matron greets callers at the pleasure boat, and introduces a sing-song girl, who offers a love-song. Another woman offers a jade plate piled with delicacies. In the dusky light of a kang a woman prepares an opium pipe for the caller. The voice of the sing-song girl is joined by others, blending and fading in the soft lights and colors and sounds, confusing reality in the rich atmosphere of the Pleasure Boat, the Flower Boat of Chinese Dreams.