Workshop for wizards of the electronic wonder machine

And now the theremin, an electronic instrument invented in 1919, will be the inspiration for a symposium in Yorkshire featuring internationally-acclaimed players from across the world.

The event, dubbed Hands Off 2011, is being held from July 29 to August 1, when musicians will be in Scarborough for talks, workshops and performances.

One of the highlights is set to be a concert in the Spa Theatre, when theremin players will perform classical pieces of music.

One of the organisers, Anthony Springall, said: “It’s spectacular to see these musicians literally pluck notes out of thin air and play pitch-perfect music. It’s hypnotic.

“We’re delighted to be hosting these theremin players, who are among the best in the world at their craft and hope people will come along to some of the workshops and concerts.”

The instrument was created by Leon Theremin, whose grand-niece, Lydia Kavina, will be at the symposium.

It was the lead instrument in the title music of detectives series Midsomer Murders, while it has also been used on scores for films including The Day the Earth Stood Still, Spellbound and The Thing.

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More information available at www.theremin.tv