Press

“the theremin was immaculately played by Charlie Draper” — The Herald (reviewing Auerbach’s Chimera with RSNO, 2025)

“One of its many fascinating characteristics is the inclusion of a theremin … played with startling precision by Charlie Draper” —Vox Carynx (reviewing Auerbach’s Chimera with RSNO, 2025)

“The latter, from Shore’s 1994 score for the Tim Burton film, was an absolute highlight of the evening – the brilliantly kitsch, mad-cap piece features bongos and theremin (the thrillingly unusual instrument was played by Charlie Draper up in one of the hall’s boxes, above the stage).” —BBC Music Magazine (reviewing the London Soundtrack Festival with LPO, 2025)

“A theremin was performed by Charlie Draper, perched on the upper balcony and stellar pianos accurately reflected the eponymous character’s mischievous nature, further cementing how important soundtracks play in our understanding of visual mediums.”— Still Listening (reviewing the London Soundtrack Festival with LPO, 2025)

“a leading British theremin player” — BBC Culture

"staged by the distinctly excellent Retrophonica ... their debut concert last October was a near-instant sell-out, and having been along ourselves we can vouch that they are the real deal.” — The Nudge, The Definitive Insiders' Guide to London on Retrophonica: Secrets of the Ancients

“a British specialist in the gestures and techniques needed to control the antique electronic whoops of theremin and ondes Martenot, he’s played with just about every theremin/ondes-requiring orchestra and ensemble in the country” — Misfit City

“youthful theremin player Charlie Draper was a knockout, turning the instrument into the fully expressive voice it was intended to be when invented in 1920.” — Time Out

“miraculously good” — Classic Rock Magazine

“an impeccable in-flight show, in which Charlie Draper performs on his antique theremin” — The Wire

“the tail-coated theremin player extracted pitch-perfect melodies from the magic instrument“ — Venue Magazine

“On twin theremins, Dorit Chrysler and Charlie Draper were playing Bernard Herrmann’s theme from The Day the Earth Stood Still, the electronic threnody offering either lamentation or possibility.“ — The Financial Times

“the orchestra treated us to … the iconic score to The Day The Earth Stood Still complete with theremin … one of the best concerts I have ever seen” — Darren Mooney, Film Critic

“a delightful musical interlude, hauntingly beautiful” — AJR Journal

“a rousingly good presentation that brought down the house.“ — Off the Air Radio, New York