The theremin is enjoying growing popularity,
and Berlin-based Barbara Buchholz is one of the
world’s top virtuosos of this instrument:
the magic kit that came to us from Russia
at the beginning of the previous century.
It is the only instrument that is played
without being touched and the grandfather
of all electronic instruments.
As a composer and performer, Barbara Buchholz
has worked for a wide range of theatres;
as artistic director she conceived and produced
“TAP IT DEEP” – a unique blend of midified tap dance
and new jazz – as well as HUMAN INTERACTIVITY
– a collaboration with the Russian computer painter
Olga Kumeger, among others.
As a master student of Lydia Kavina, grandniece of the inventor
of the theremin, Lev Theremin, Buchholz is returning to her own roots.
The goal is to free the theremin of its overloading of exotic associations,
to strip it of nostalgic clichés, and to view it as an
organic component among the available modern instruments.
Barbara Buchholz employs the theremin in a variety of styles in jazz,
improvised music and contemporary music.
The jazzlabel INTUITION and the contemporary music label WERGO
are publishing her cds.
Together with Lydia Kavina she founded “Touch! Don’t Touch!” in 2005
as a production site for the theremin in contemporary music.
In the areas of jazz and improvised music she performs
with a variety of ensembles, including a trio with the Norwegian trumpeter
Arve Henriksen and the live electronics performer Jan Bang.
She is touring with the Jazz Bigband Graz, performing the production
“ELECTRIC POETRY & Lo-Fi Cookies”.
Barbara Buchholz presents her solo performances together
with the projection artist pedda Borowski,
who works with two overhead projectors.
The hands-off performance of the theremin and the real-time
creation of paintings make for a unique interactive combination.
She is in international demand as a workshop teacher .
more information:
www.barbarabuchholz.com
music videos:
www.myspace.com/barbarabuchholz