Hovercraft (2025)
(for theremin, strings, and percussion)

The theremin is an extraordinary instrument that almost defies belief. Hovercrafts are amphibious, almost science-fiction-like vehicles, capable of traversing water, land, snow, and mud: they literally hover on a cushion of air. I see many similarities between this instrument and invention. This piece reimagines the hovercraft as more airborne than intended! A hovercraft through the looking-glass, capable of soaring heights. A hovercraft that isn’t afraid to get down and dirty. In this way, the title itself pays homage to the way the theremin is played – both literally and metaphorically - an acknowledgement of the pure magic of producing a sound from thin air.

I sought to write a work that enjoys the idiosyncratic blips and beeps of the theremin, showcasing its quirky side, but also highlighting its versatility. At times, I’ve treated the theremin like a voice, glissing in and out of operatic mode, and then contrasting this with rumbling, gurgling synthesiser sounds. Stylistically, the piece embraces my disco string obsession of accented stabs and four-to-the-floor grooves, and combines this with twisted rhythms, big riffs, and rapid mood changes. The theremin ducks and weaves with lyrical lines and dirty grunge, all while conversing with grooving and strobing strings.

Holly Harrison