Lydia’s current project is the theremin solo in ''The Little Mermaid'', a ballet by Lera Auerbach, choreographed by John Neumeier, in Copenhagen’s New Opera House(2005) and in the Hamburger Staatsoper (2007-2009).
As a solo performer Ms. Kavina appeared at such prestigious venues as the Grand Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, London Barbican, Chatelet Theatre in Paris and Amsterdam Concertgebouw (with the Netherlands Radio Orchestra under Reinbert de Lewes). She collaborated with the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia under V. Spivakov and with London Philharmonic Orchestra.
Lydia has been invited by leading music festivals, including New York's Lincoln Center Festival, the Holland Music Festival, the Martinu Festival in Prague, the Electronic Music Festival in Burge, and Moscow “Avantgarde”.
Mrs. Kavina recorded 3 solo CDs with original music for theremin and played for a number of film soundtracks including “Ed Wood” and “eXistetnZ” with music by Howard Shore and ''The Machinist'' by Roque Banos.
She has also featured in stage productions, such as ''Alice'' and ''The Black Rider'' (both conceived and directed by Robert Wilson, with music by Tom Waits) in the Hamburg Thalia Theater and Halle Kalk in Cologne and played theremin line for Russian Bolshoi.
Lydia performs most of the classical theremin repertoire, including popular orchestra works for the theremin by B. Martinu, J. Schillinger and “Spellbound” by M. Rosza.
As a theremin enthusiast Lydia constantly seeks to expand the theremin repertoire, frequently performing lesser known music of the 20th century such as “Equatorial” by E. Varese, Obouchov's “Testament” and the graphical scores of Percy Grainger.
Lydia has written a number of her own compositions, including a Concerto for theremin and symphony orchestra, first performed by the Boston Modern Orchestra, under Gil Rose.
Ms. Kavinais an active promoter of new experimental music for the theremin. In collaboration with Barbara Buchholz and Kamerensemble Neue Musik Berlin she established the “Touch! Don't Touch!” project and commissioned 20 modern composers in writing contemporary pieces for the theremin. This music was performed in Germany throughout 2005-2008 and published on a CD.
Lydia is strongly committed to educational activities, encouraging student musicians and beginners to learn the instrument and take the instrument seriously. She constantly integrates master classes, workshops and lectures in her concert schedule. Her video tutorial “Mastering the Theremin” recorded with Moog Music, is widely used among beginners.
Ms. Kavina holds a degree in composition from the Moscow Conservatory, where she also accomplished a postgraduate assistantship program and conducted a class of classical theremin at the studio of electronic music for a number of years.
"I was 9 years old and he was
over 80 years
of age. Theremin arrived at our home every Friday evening. When I
opened the door for him, he alsways made me a gift of some cake or
sweets before we began our lessons. His teaching was not strict or
formal; I was allowed to play whatever I wanted to play while he sat in
an old armchair and listened."L.K.
Visit nd listen to
Lydia
on MySpace
BBC Russia: 30
June 2008
(in Russian)
БибиСева - Программа Севы Новгородцева
on MySpace
BBC Russia: 30
June 2008(in Russian)