The first time I experienced Clara Rockmore playing a theremin I was awestruck. Until that moment I had only heard the theremin used as an instrument to create effect, not to make incomparable beautiful music. Most of what we have heard, (whether aware or not) of Leon Theremin's great invention has been in horror and science fiction filmscores. Hollywood used the instrument to create effect in movies such as, Spellbound, The Lost Weekend, The Day the Earth Stood Still and as a comic element in the Delicate Delinquent starring Jerry Lewis. Ms. Rockmore would not take part in Hollywood's exploitation of the instrument, however. It was her goal to promote the theremin as a credible instrument capable of playing the classics as any symphonic instrument. It is a rare treat to hear beautiful music flow from the instrument as haunting as Ms. Rockmore was able to produce.

Clara Rockmore, (nee Reisenberg) showed immediate prodigal promise as a violinist when she began playing at the age of four. At five she was admitted to St.Peterburg's (now Leningrad) Imperial Conservatory of Music as an exceptional student. She was the youngest student ever to enter the Conservatory with such honors. At age nine she, along with her concert pianist sister, Nadia received permission to leave Russia to concertize in Europe and New York City. It was during her tour of New York City that Clara met the inventor of a brand new instrument; an instrument where the musician seemed to be playing the air ­ the theremin.