Phyllis just posted a comment about the music from Midsomer Murders. Phyllis, “eerie” is the perfect word to describe this music!
I did some Google-ing on the internet and found out that the instrument that can be heard is a Theremin. I sort of thought that it was… The last time my daughter came home we watched a History Detectives show that featured the inventor of the instrument: Léon Theremin. He was a Russian inventor and actually came to the USA as a goodwill ambassador (of sorts) to show off his invention. (It was found out later that some of the gifts to high ranking people in the government had recording/transmitting devices in them… which Theremin had invented, and which were motion-powered… thus enabling them to not need batteries that would only last for a very short time.) Obviously, he wasn’t such a goodwill ambassador!
Anyway, getting back to Midsomer Murders theme music…
I found a short clip on You Tube showing Celia Sheen playing the Midsomer Music theme song on a Theremin. As you can see, she never touches the instrument… it is all done with motions of her hands as they move close to an antenna resembling a lightning rod and a hook resembling a dough attachment of a fancy mixer. (Anyway, that’s what I think those two things look like…)
As I remember from the show, there is a synthesizor (of sorts!) that actaully transmits the sounds that are made. Reminds me of the VERY old horror movies that used to have that sort of music during the times when we were supposed to be scared, and not notice the fishing line holding up the different flying entities!
PS>>> If you have never seen the PBS show History Detectives, do yourself a favor and do so!
Kell says
Holy socks. Anybody who’s ever played (or tried to play) a fretless instrument care to chime in on how the heck hard it must be to play so perfectly in tune on that thing? Wow…
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Can you believe it, Kell?
Timothy Burton should have Danny Elfman incorporate this instrument into every one of his wild movies. (We’re Timothy Burton/Danny Elfman fans!)
Eveline says
Thanks so much for that information. The first time I heard the music it’s been on my mind since because I haven’ heard anything like it before. And, yes, it is eerie and so fitting to the series.
Joyce says
Thanks so much for solving the mystery of this magical instrument, it’s been bugging me ever since I saw the lady play it – very spooky!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
I know, Joyce. Isn’t it wild!!!
Sara says
This was amazing! I had heard of the instrument before but never seen one or really knew anything but the name…had no idea what it actually was. Thanks for posting this!
Dennis says
the Midsommer’s theme music is a very close copy of the theme from the Cary Grant-Audrey Hepburn movie “Charade” I’m surprised no one commented on that yet.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Dennis, oh my gosh, you’re right: Midsomer’s music is a bit reminiscent of Henry Mancini’s Charade! (I just listened to it on YouTube.)
Ed says
Just like how one guitarist nicks licks from another…
Dee Capp says
THAT’s why it sounds so familiar! Thank you.
Inka says
Sheldon Cooper also played one on The Big Bang Theory… lol… 😀
pritch says
does anyone know the name of the piece of music that features throughout “the green man” episode of midsommer murders , thank you
David914 says
Yes, but what is the name of the song? Does it have a name?
sara jackson says
It also sounds like a carpenters saw played with a violin bow. What is the reed instrument…bassoon?
Elena says
I wondered that too…bassoon or clarinet?
Ed says
And here it was I thought it was a saw, when it was a theremin all this time 🙂
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Ed, yep, the theramin, definitely an interesting instrument. Very odd to watch people play it, actually, since the performer doesn’t actually touch it.
Daniel Halfhill says
It sounds like the song ” After The Ball”.
Carol JC says
I knew it! After having seen the PBS episode of History Detectives, as well as Big Bang Theory, I knew the sound when I heard it. Theremin music gets into one’s brain, and is never forgotten. I have been mainlining episodes of “Midsomer Murders” lately, and that theme is in my head even as I type.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Carol, it’s definitely a very memorable sound!
Carol JC says
I thought the Father Brown mysteries had the best theme I’d heard, but, while I admit it’s quite beautiful, it’s the Theremin that fascinated me and takes Midsomer Murders over the line.
Jennie says
I love the radio theme for Father Brown. Does anyone know what it’s called? I know I’ve heard it somewhere before?
Carol JC says
P.S. And I’ve always loved a waltz.
abachldr says
Beyond the theremin, the wind playing in every episode is sublime – particularly the solo horn player who must have won Parker’s favor. I can find no record of who these musicians are. I know that things are done differently in the UK than here in the US. For example, the LSO is a per-service orchestra – with no guaranty that any two performances involve the same players. No doubt this is some sort of studio orchestra, but the extraordinary level of playing rather suggests some uniformity of personnel. Does anybody know who they are?
Wen Hie says
I’m only HALF concentrating on the story when that bassoonist is playing. Swoooon! Sublime!!?
Llama Suger says
Thank you for settling a wager between my husband and I! I said it was a theremin; he rather thought it was a saw.
Chris says
I had a theremin. It’s darned difficult to play well!
Carol JC says
I saw the PBS program of History Detectives in which someone wanted information on a theremin he had, and shortly thereafter, I saw it on Big Bang Theory. Love the sound of it. I also swoon over Father Brown’s theme. I try to sit down Before it darts so I can “sing along.”