A Christian Composition on the Theremin

“Hosanna” on the Theremin, arranged from the Romanian Othodox liturgy by Benedict Popescu. 

The Theremin was invented by the Russian physicist Lev Sergeyevich Termen (aka: Leon Theremin, b. 1896, Russia – d. 1993).  The instrument is unusual in that it is not touched by the person creating the music.   An electrical field is created between two antennas and the field is distorted by the moving hands of the performer.  One hand controls the amplitude and the other controls the frequency of the created signal.  The signal is amplified and sent to a speaker to produce sound.

The link below is to a secular composition which highlights the abilities of the Theremin.  The other instrument is a Vulcan Harp.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRfbWrI03gc

The Vulcan Lute (aka: Vulcan Harp) was created for the original television series, Star Trek.

http://ontd-startrek.livejournal.com/1378268.html?thread=172342492

This link also shows the capabilities of the Theremin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAQChI7Yq-I

The Psalms

The Hebrew name of The Psalms is Tehilim which translates into English as “praises.” 

These songs were apparently sung to the accompaniment of stringed instruments and the musical instructions such as "selah" probably indicated sucj information as tempo or the tune to be used.

The English language name of the book, Psalms, comes from the Greek name Ψαλμοί (psalmoi), a translation of "mizmor," one of the types of psalms.  “Mizmor” is a Hebrew word meaning a sacred song set to music.  Psalmoi is derived from the infinitive “psallein,” “to play the harp.”

The other types of psalms also bear designations. “Shir” means the flow of speech in a straight line.  “Michtam” means “gold,” something you would keep close to yourself.  “Tehillah” means “a praise.”  “Shigayon” means “a mistake,”  songs of regret for sin.

(I tried repeatedly to place the Hebrew text into this post but the word processor insists on reversing the letter order no matter what I do.  Hebrew is read right to left instead of left to right.  The Greek text does not present this problem.)