19 April
2026
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The Remarkable Life of Leon Theremin

Zuiderkerk
Sunday afternoon, 19 April 2026, 3.30 PM

Thorwald Jørgensen, theremin
Kamilla Bystrova, piano
with guest appearance by Pamela Smits, cello

Whoooooo… is a theremin sound we often associate with tension and mystery in science fiction and thriller soundtracks. Yet most people know it—consciously or not—from the Midsomer Murders theme. Thereminist Thorwald Jørgensen and pianist Kamilla Bystrova show that the theremin is far more than just an ominous effect. In this special concert, they take you on a journey through the history of this fascinating instrument and its inventor, the Russian Leon Theremin.

Using historical images and audio/video clips, you’ll discover how one of the earliest electronic instruments evolved from a scientific curiosity into a full-fledged concert instrument. In between, Jørgensen and Bystrova perform various works by composers including Rachmaninoff, Rózsa, Saint-Saëns, and Pärt, where the theremin’s ethereal voice and the piano’s sonorities merge surprisingly well.

The duo alternates short presentations with live music, so you not only hear the background stories but also experience the theremin’s incredible range: from subtle and dreamy to brilliant and virtuosic. Thanks to an interactive format, audience members can ask questions and get a personal introduction to the theremin and the history behind this intriguing instrument.

Looking for a unique musical experience? Come and find out how the theremin and the piano together open up an entire world of possibilities, far removed from the clichés often associated with the theremin.

Group 1109

The Remarkable Life of Leon Theremin

Sergei Rachmaninoff
Spring Waters, Op. 14 No. 11
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
Flight of the Bumblebee
Charles Paul
Palestinian Song, Introduction and Hora*
Sergei Rachmaninoff
Vocalise voor theremin, cello en piano
Dalit Warshaw
Nizk’orahvoor theremin, cello en piano*
Miklós Rósza
Spellbound concerto voor theremin en piano*

– Intermission –

Thierry Besançon
Nocturne for theremin and piano*
Lydia Kavina
Suite (1967)*
Arvo Pärt
Spiegel im Spiegel                   
Thorwald Jørgensen
Distant Shores*
Camille Saint-Saëns
The Swan 
*Works originally composed for theremin

Season 2025/2026

28 September
2025
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22 November
2025
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15 February
2026
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