Clara Rockmore

The Profile

Clara Rockmore was a Lithuanian-American theremin virtuosa and former violin prodigy who helped define the instrument’s expressive possibilities. She collaborated with Léon Theremin, performed classical repertoire on theremin, and recorded The Art of the Theremin (1977). Her sister, pianist Nadia Reisenberg, frequently accompanied her.

Theremin pioneer; performed classical transcriptions by Saint‑Saëns, Tchaikovsky, and Stravinsky; The Art of the Theremin was produced by Robert Moog; often accompanied by pianist Nadia Reisenberg.

One glowing review celebrates Rockmore’s virtuosic theremin technique, her classical repertoire (Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, Saint-Saëns), and Nadia Reisenberg’s vital piano work. It explains the theremin’s touchless playing and likens its tone to an intense violin or a human voice. Praises dominate, with minor caveats about 1977 recording quality and first-listen monotony. Publicly known: Rockmore is a Lithuanian-American theremin pioneer; The Art of the Theremin was produced by Robert Moog.