Cohen's HALLELUJAH: Vocal, Theremin & MIDI theremin

First of all, I'm sorry this video is so long but I wanted to sing all the verses of it that I could find. Leonard Cohen (who wrote the song) said that he wished people would stop singing it but you might as well ask people to stop looking at the Mona Lisa! In its genre, this song is a masterpiece.

I discovered Leonard Cohen back in the early 60's when a family friend gave my parents a copy of LOVE WHERE THE NIGHTS ARE LONG, a collection of the works of Cohen and his friend and mentor, the late, brilliant Irving Layton. I had never really appreciated poetry until I read that book. Perhaps what has always impressed me most about Leonard Cohen's work is his ability to be distant and objective about his subject while resting quietly in its heart.

There are two theremins in this video, Samuel Hoffman's 1929 RCA and the Moog MIDI Ethervox. I have never been able to sing and accurately play the theremin at the same time, so verse three (where I play the Hoffman RCA) is the only verse where I did not sing live. The MIDI theremin (which you see on verse five) is fairly easy to play while singing. Simple gestures of the arm trigger sounds from a separate MIDI module (in this case a Roland JV 2080).

The keyboard on this video is a Korg Triton Extreme (doubled with a Roland Fantom XR). The advantage of an electronic keyboard over an acoustic piano is that there is no leakage into the vocal mike when a singer is playing and singing at the same time. Nothing will ever replace a good Steinway but the latest generations of electronic keyboards are awesome!

The mike I used is a cordless Sennheiser that I have had for years. It was given to me by Sennheiser when they sponsored a tour in the 1980's and it works as well today as it did when I got it.

Here's a little bit of trivia you may not know about the RCA theremin in this video. According to Apollo astronaut Neil Armstrong's biographer, Andrew Smith, Armstrong actually took a recording of this theremin with him into space for the moon landing in 1969. The previous owner of this instrument, Dr. Samuel Hoffman, used it on his 1947 recording, MUSIC OUT OF THE MOON. Neil Armstrong liked the sound of it so much that he made a cassette tape of it from his personal record collection and took it with him to the moon.

Andrew Smith ends his book, MOONDUST, with the following words, ".....when I've thought of Apollo, I've thought of him [Neil Armstrong] and his little band drifting out there toward the secret Moon.....spilling theremin music out at the stars."

[Purity-]

Peters voice is masterful and original. He is a man of many languages and what an incredible gift I receive every time I witness this Love, and the music is fantastic as well!!🎉

[lorencarlin]

I believe this is the Canadian singer from many, many years ago. He was, then, and still is, gorgeous and ever so talented. He has mastered so many instruments. The Theremin for shites's sake! I wish I had half the talent this man has in his little finger!

[paulus]

Why have I only just found this video, and why has this only been seen by 134, 347 people. This is AMAZING. It should be seen by millions of

[patriciafriedson]

Dear Peter, i started listening to this song when it was dark out. Now, several times later, dawn is coming through the window and the sounds of day begin, but the song is still echoing. The way you sing and play it makes me think of something my Granma used to say - when someone really put their heart into something, she would say they "did right" by it. "Did right" by a person, a moment, a challenge. I think part of what she meant by that was when we really love someone or something, first you look as deeply as you can at its nature, its needs, and then give everything you've got back to it, and that is doing right by it. . And you do right by songs, by instruments, by inspirations, by the human story. It's not only talent, or working hard to develop that talent, it's courage and heart and huge willingness. And that is a music within the music. Thank You.

[spookysuki]

Absolutely magnificent odage to mister Cohen. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[alanaku]

One of the most underrated artists imho. This interpetation left me speechless

[somnambulist]

This is so much better than so many comparable covers. The emotion, the technique, and the beautiful simplicity of the production are really just overwhelming.

[UncleFrogface]

i've sung and taught this song a thousand and one times, i have to say that was simply sensational. masterfully sung and an absolute joy to listen to. thank you

[markabel]

Phenomenal and breathtaking. And LC would have loved it too. IMO

[Dreamchaser]

I Have wanted a Theremin for as long as I could remember.Even after years of going into music shops my search for the instrument of my dreams was always evading me.While trying to console myself and needing to hear this music of the Gods I came here to YouTube and came across Peter Pringle.
Peter my friend where ever you are in the World I want to THANKYOU from the bottom of my heart.Your rendition of Halleluja is the best version I have ever heard.Your voice and presence is TRULEY beautiful and listening and watching you did move me to tears as for me it was not just a beautiful song and lyrics but with your command of the Theremin and your gorgeous voice it connected with me on a very deep level-literally spiritually.
I was so wanting to find an outlet for my emotions that after listening to you I have gone on good old eBay and bought myself a Moog Theremin Standard.
I checked you out on the Internet and found out your now in your 70's.Well my brother I may not meet you in person but please if you ever read this just know you have really made a difference with who you are.You are beautiful my friend and I will follow your music now for the rest of my days.Love and peace to you my friend.

[tonifrancis]

Wow, this just transported me to another dimension for the duration of the song.   Amazing!

[passa]

Coming back here from to time to listen to this. It's the best cover of Halleluja in my opinion. Sometimes I listen to this for hours..

[pixiepostcard]

HALLELUJAH one of my FAVOURITE songs.. 👍

[luciliamarques]

By far, this is the best rendition of this song! A masterpiece, eternal, so full of truthfulness. Thank you for sharing this amazing performance with us.

[rodneyplewright]

A beautiful singing voice, with a brilliant rendition. Thanks for sharing your wonderful gift with us.

[markbeckett]

Beautiful...absolutely beautiful
My father was the producer on one of your albums in the early 80s... Fantasies. I'm so glad to see you are doing well. Such a remarkable voice you have

Mark

[narendeepan]

This is absolutely amazing and I get very emotional listening to this. You sir are a miracle. May god bless you

[heidebretagne]

My first reation when I read the title of this video, was : Oh dear, another version of Hallelujah! But when I watched it, I was so captivated, I had to watch it till the last second. Wonderfull performance !!!

[tommymyturn]

after listening to you sing this magnificent song. I had the urges to go out and hug babys and help old thank you for the breath of life you gave me...

[billybobb]

I can literally feel you soul radiating through your music! Thanks you so much for what you do.