Multimedia
Theo Popov
composer and thereminist
Orchestra
“The Banged Up Wind-Up Toy Trolley” for processed orchestra and narrator
The piece is part of my orchestral suite TOYS OF WAR, which narrates experiences of children in war zones. This movement is organized along extreme contrasts between darkness and light as reflected in rapidly shifting modalities, registers, instrumentations, tempi, and dynamic markings. In addition, the large orchestra – 3(Picc)3(EH)3(B Cl)3(Cbsn)/4331/Timp/Perc/Hp/Pno(Cel)/Str – has been digitally altered and an accompanying narration added.
“Vira's Kaleidoscope,” for the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra
“Vira’s Kaleidoscope” is based on my yearslong research into fractals – self-similar subsets that exhibit identical patterns at various scales of unfolding symmetry. Such visual structures are frequently found in nature – from leaves and pinecones to snowflakes and human organs – and are aesthetically pleasing on an inherent subliminal level. It is my ongoing ambition to find musical equivalents and devise a compositional process that emulates such mathematical perfections.
The piece for large orchestra – 3(Picc)3(EH)3(B Cl)3(Cbsn)/4331/Timp/Perc/Hp/Pno(Cel)/Str – is constructed according to the Golden Ratio and employs other mathematical concepts from Chaos Theory, such as attractors and convergence. Through rotations of the harmonic series and continually morphing tetrachords it creates a musical kaleidoscope, a mechanism that gradually manages to transform the ugliness of our world into a cosmos of pure beauty that only a child’s imagination can create.
Opera
The Halloween Tree
Led by a mysterious guide, a group of children undertake an unforgettable journey to find their friend Pipkin, who has disappeared on Halloween night. Through their search, the children learn about the cultural and historical traditions that have led to the contemporary celebration of Halloween today. Based on the novel by Ray Bradbury. Libretto by Tony Asaro. Commissioned by American Lyric Theater.
Town Hall
In a small town, somewhere in America, a community gathers to ask their senator questions about the politics of the day, and the proceedings are live-streamed on social media by a young intern. But the conversation turns into a heated debate with mortal stakes when a retired librarian takes the event hostage. Libretto by E. M. Lewis.
Once Upon the Wind
In a small town, somewhere in America, a community gathers to ask their senator questions about the politics of the day, and the proceedings are live-streamed on social media by a young intern. But the conversation turns into a heated debate with mortal stakes when a retired librarian takes the event hostage. Libretto by Kate Light. Commissioned by American Lyric Theater.
Wine Country
A cross-cultural romantic comedy set in a vineyard and winery in the Willamette Valley in the mid-1960’s, inspired by real events from the birth of the Oregon wine industry. It is envisioned as an experience for all senses to be presented to its audience with a flight of wines specifically curated by the sommelier composer. Libretto by E. M. Lewis.
NERO ARTIFEX
Based on contemporary historical and musicological research, the opera presents one of the most notorious Ancient Roman rulers in a surprising new light. Libretto by Mariah Min and Veronica Shi.
Chamber Music
Mandelbrot
The Mandelbrot set is a two-dimensional representation of a set of numbers in the complex plain with a relatively simple mathematical definition, but one that exhibits great visual complexity when magnified. This is a musical representation of this fractal.
Geometric Conjectures
For string quartet. I – Sierpiński Gasket. II – Dementia Looping. III – Hexagonal Stops. Performed by Daniel Tan and Eliana Estrada (violins), Josh Choi (viola) and Calvin Kung (violoncello).
Baroque Jukebox
At a party where everyone wants to listen to a different tune, chaos is bound to ensue... A Kafkaesque confrontation ensues when each instrument tries to lead the ensemble into its own Baroque dance of choice. Can the musicians work together on finding a harmonious compromise?
Film
Possible Selves
Possible Selves is an an 80-minute documentary that follows two brave teenagers in foster care through their tumultuous high school years. It is the first major documentary to focus on the lived experience of foster kids themselves rather than on the foster care system.The film intimately shares Alex and Mia’s journeys as they strive to attain a goal that only 3% of adults who grow up in foster care reach: graduating from college. Director Shaun Kadlec.
Possible Selves Trailer from Shaun Kadlec on Vimeo.
Lloyd Kennedy, Professional Sasquach Photographer
Lloyd Kennedy finds himself going in circles and making no progress in his quest to become the world’s first professional Sasquatch photographer. Forging a new path brings Lloyd and the mighty Sasquatch closer than ever until an unexpected encounter derails the quest. "Lloyd Kennedy Professional Sasquatch Photographer" was made for the MNKINO Film Score Festival in St Paul, MN, where it won the Best Score Award for the orchestral version in September, 2021. Director Rodney G Johnson.
Theremin Performance
“From Ashes to Fire" for Disklavier and Theremin
Composed and performed by Theo Popov.
In the Mist No.1 by Leos Janacek performed by Theo Popov (theremin) and Jeff Li (piano) in Taplin Auditorium, Princeton University (April 2011).
Allegro Ben Moderato (Mvmt 1) from Cesar Franck's Violin Sonata In A Major performed by Theo Popov (theremin) and Jeff Li (piano) in Taplin Auditorium, Princeton University (April 2011).
