Patrick Bade
Clara Rockmore and the Theremin
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Summary
Clara Rockmore (1911–1998), of Litvak origin, became at the age of four the youngest ever student at the St. Petersburg Conservatoire, mentored by the legendary violinist Leopold Auer. Her career as a violin virtuoso was interrupted by the Russian Revolution and later by injury to her bowing arm. She then turned to the newly invented electronic instrument the theremin, which enjoyed a two-decade vogue with avant garde composers and Hollywood. Known as the instrument’s greatest exponent, Clara and her story is a triumph of musicianship over adversity.
Patrick Bade
Patrick Bade is a historian, writer, and broadcaster. He studied at UCL and the Courtauld Institute of Art. He was a senior lecturer at Christie’s Education for many years and has worked for the Art Fund, Royal Opera House, National Gallery, and V&A. He has published on 19th- and early 20th-century paintings and historical vocal recordings. His latest book is Music Wars: 1937–1945.