Theremin and Orchestra

 

The unique expression and the sonic landscape of the theremin makes it an excellent solo instrument for orchestra. The theremin has inspired many composers to create mesmerizing concertos, that have been premiered around the world and continue to delight audiences and music lovers in the most prestigious concert halls.

Finnish composer Kalevi Aho dedicated the theremin concerto Eight Seasons to Carolina, which she premiered in 2012 with the Lapland Chamber Orchestra, and returned to perform in 2022 with the BBC Philharmonic at the Royal Albert Hall in London, directed by John Storgårds. The recording of the concerto won an Echo Klassik in the category „Concert Recording of the Year“ in 2015.

The theremin concerto Dancefloor with Pulsing was also written for Eyck by the French composer Régis Campo. The concerto premiered with the Brussels Philharmonic in 2018, and Carolina has since performed it with various orchestras, such as Frankfurt Radio Symphony (2020), Estonian National Symphony Orchestra (2024), WDR Funkhausorchester (2024), Orchestre National de France (2024) directed by Cristian Măcelaru, and Deutches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin (2025).

In May 2025 Eyck toured in Australia with the Australian Chamber Orchestra. The program Theremin & Beyond involved a new composition Hovercraft for Theremin and Chamber Orchestra by Holly Harrison, who was commissioned to write a new piece of music as part of the orchestra's 50th Anniversary celebrations.

Other composers to write for the theremin include prestigious names in classical music and ballet, such as Lera Auerbach, Andrew Norman, Fazil Say and Dalit Warshaw.

In addition to the growing list of composers fascinated by the instrument, Carolina Eyck’s own compositions for theremin and orchestra, such as Ocean Light (2025), Remembrance (2020) and the award-winning Sciciani (2006), make excellent additions to any concert programs.


Carolina Eyck

"Ocean Light" for Theremin and Orchestra (2025)

Instrumentation: 3(1picc).2.3.3(1cbn) / 4.2.2.1 / 2 Perc / Hp / Cel / Strings

Length: 05:00 minutes

"Remembrance" for Theremin and Orchestra (2020)

Instrumentation: 3(1picc).2(+1ca).3.3 / 4.2.3 / 2 Perc / Hp / Pno / Strings

Length: 04:05 minutes


Régis Campo

"Dancefloor With Pulsing" for Theremin and Orchestra (2018)

Instrumentation: 3(1picc).3.3.2(+1cbn) / 4.3.3.1 / Timb / 4 Perc / Hp / Pno (Cel) / Strings

Length: 17:30 minutes

Publisher: Éditions Henry Lemoine


Kalevi Aho

Theremin Concerto "Eight Seasons" for Theremin and Chamber Orchestra (2011)

I. Harvest
VIII. Midnight Sun

Intrumentation: Theremin, Wind quintet, Percussion (1) and Strings (4-4-3-3-1)

Length: 34 minutes

Publisher: Fennica Gehrman

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Anis Fuleihan

"Fantasy" Concerto for Theremin and Orchestra (1945)

01 Moderato
02 Andantino

Length: 14 minutes


Bohuslav Martinu

"Fantasia" for Theremin, Oboe, Piano, String Orchestra (1944)

Fantasia – Excerpt 1
Fantasia – Excerpt 2

Intrumentation: Theremin, Oboe, Piano and Strings (4-4-3-3-1)

Length: 17 minutes

Publisher: Éditions Max Eschig


More works for Theremin and Orchestra

Holly HarrisonHovercraft” for Theremin, Strings and Percussion (2025)

Dalit Hadass WarshawSirens” A concerto for Theremin and Orchestra in three movements (2019)

Andrew Norman Theremin Concerto "Air" for Theremin and Orchestra (2011)

Jan Bilk "Stigma Integrum Concerto" for Theremin and String Orchestra (2006)

Miklós Rózsa "Spellbound Concerto"  for Theremin, Oboe, Piano and Orchestra (1945)

Joseph Schillinger "First Airphonic Suite" for Theremin and Orchestra (1929)

arrangements For Theremin and Orchestra

Antonín Dvorák: "Waldesruhe" op. 68, no. 5 for Theremin and Orchestra

Gabriel Fauré: "Sicilienne" op. 78 for Theremin and Orchestra

Theremin in Orchestra Music

Fazil Say (2012): "Universe" Symphony No. 3

Fazil Say (2011): "Mesopotamia" Symphony No. 2

Lera Auerbach (2011): "Cinderella" Ballet

Lera Auerbach (2007): "The Little Mermaid" Ballet

Lera Auerbach (2006): First Symphony

Lera Auerbach (2006): "Icarus"

Howard Shore (2000): "Ed Wood Suite"

Miklós Rósza (1945): "Spellbound Concerto"  for Piano and Orchestra