KATICA ILLÉNYI - Once Upon a Time in the West - Theremin

I have always loved this piece by Ennio Morricone.  It is the theme music to the movie of the same title. I first heard the music in an arrangement for cello.  While searching YouTube for it, I discovered a musical instrument that I did not know existed - a theremin.  So, I went on a search to learn about this interesting, odd, instrument. The theremin is an electronic musical instrument controlled without physical contact by the thereminist. It is named after the Westernized name of its Soviet inventor, Léon Theremin, who patented the device in 1928.

I have heard it sung by choral groups and by soloists. In this arrangement a theremin is used instead of voice.